This idea has been kicking around for ages, so this morning it was out of the sketchbook and into the real world. I figured it might be a nice tutorial to share, because it is such an easy project
I have put all the pattern pieces over on scribd as a PDF, you can download them or print them straight off. All you need is a felted jumper and some good quality felt scraps !
Actually you could use pretty much anything for the background fabric - I was just going for a cosy woolly feeling.
Cut two bodies from your felt jumper or other fabric.
Cut two bodies from your felt jumper or other fabric.
Cut out the pieces for your character and pin them in place
Pin , Pin , Pin, Pin , Pin
To sew your pieces on, line one edge of your sewing machine foot up with the edge of the felt and then move your needle position ever so slightly to the left. (See photo above)
Sew everything down. This really doesn't take long at all - changing threads for the different colours is a pain but you don't have to do that unless you really want to - or are an anal librarian like me. Add a few embroidery details like eyes and a mouth.
Tie your threads off at the back, pin your front and back sections together with right sides facing and sew around (leaving a gap for turning)
Turn him out the right way and stuff stuff stuff.
Sew the turning gap closed. Don't be too stressed about neatness - wool is the most forgiving fabric ever!
Ta - Dah...... A cute softie in just one hour !So if youwant to , you can go and download the pattern for this guy and his friend the nurse...
(They are so quick and easy you might even consider making one for the
Softies for Mirabel campaign,
now in its third year and going strong !)
and just because I am a total boof head...I left out a pattern piece for the face. The faces are simple circles measuring approx 8cm or 3 inches across....
(slaps own forehead)
Absolutely ADORABLE and inspiring! Thank you for the info on Softies for Mirabel Campaign. I might just join in!
ReplyDeleteYou are ace for sharing these!! Imagine how many I could give as Xmas gifts!!! Thanks again for giving us a dose of Jodie brilliance. :D
ReplyDeleteBest use for recycled woollens that I have seen! Thanks for sharing your brilliant ideas:)
ReplyDeleteoh Jod these are gorgeous! They'll be great for the Toy Society too!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Jodie. An hour .. or so well spent
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic way to spend an hour! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteJust when I take a good hard look at that brimming-to-the-edges fabric stash and decide it's time to cut to the chase and SEW SOMETHING WEARABLE DAMN IT! you go and throw another softie thingy in my path. Love it.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Very clever lady you are. Thanks for sharing. xox
ReplyDeleteSuper super! They are really cool!! May just have to make a dent in my way too huge felt collection and make some! Thanks for the pattern. :)
ReplyDeleteJust Magic....Brilliant even!!
ReplyDeleteYou have done it again! These guys are fantastic. Love her hat and pocket.
ReplyDeleteI want to get inside your craft mind and have a look around! I think there would be the coolest things in there. I know that sounds weird and I don't mean it in a stalker-ish way, just as flattery, ok? :)
Really cute! I love the nurse. I might make one for the local childrens ward.
ReplyDelete... with all that spare time I have.........
ReplyDeleteVery cute and now stored away for when I next have a free hour!
ReplyDeleteYou are a softie ROCK STAR!!! Thank you so much for your generosity.
ReplyDeleteAn hour for you maybe. Three for the rest of us mortals.
ReplyDeleteBut even then, a gorgeous project!!
Thanks. Love yer work!!!
Andi :-)
very wonderful Jodie, & so ace to share, they're marvellous!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing another lovely and cute idea
ReplyDeleteTotally fab Jodie! Lucy x
ReplyDeleteLove it! Not sure I can sew those small pieces very well but I am going to try. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThey are adorable!! I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
ReplyDeletehttp://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-make-a-softie-in-one-hour/2009/09/29/
--Anne
oh he is so cute!!! thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou are *so* on a roll. Loving your creations lately!
ReplyDeleteOk so your hour must be a lot longer than mine...I'd be lucky to cut something out in that time! The quality of your felt looks great - do you buy it online? Thank you for the tutorial - always appreciated!
ReplyDeleteI love these two. Thanks for always sharing. I hope I do make these in an hour, not like the one hour bag when I made that for the first time. It took me a few hours and a few tries. But, success at last.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to mooch through your sketchbook if it holds such treasures!! Fab softies Jodie :)
ReplyDeletexxx
You have done it again! You are a superstar!! and thank you for the Softies for Mirabel. I had no idea and definitely going in for that!!
ReplyDeleteThank youso much. they are truly delightful
adorable! love them! just in time for christmas....well actually there is lots of time before christmas but if we start now!!!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing!
corrie:)
Thank you for sharing these cute little guys, I think I will be making a couple, or more :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this Jodie - so cute! I've posted a link to it on softiemaking.com
ReplyDeleteHis moustache is lovely.
ReplyDeleteanal librarian is obviously a very good trait for the fab things you make - much better than that'll do messy types like me!
ReplyDeleteDo you know the story of the tin soldier and the paper ballerina. I loved that story but it made me cry and cry and cry when I was little. Your clever softie reminds me of the tin soldier.
ReplyDeletesniff, sniff...
Love your one hour softie, what a great idea. Thanks for reminding me about the Softies for Mirabel campaign too xo
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial Jodie. Thanks for sharing the pattern.
ReplyDeleteHugs ~ Kerryanne
thanks jodie...even i could make these! so creative as usual!!
ReplyDeleteThey are great Jodie! You do do good tutorial.
ReplyDeleteThis is too weird - I just made something very similar last week (no moustaches for mine though!). Also took me more than an hour! I am giving them away on my blog if you want to check out my version. :)
ReplyDeleteI get so stuck on the 3d aspect of softies- thanks for reminding me how they can be simplified!
ReplyDeleteThese are cute - kind of like little pillows/cushions :o)
ReplyDeleteMonda
x
Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThese are darling and so unique! I love that you picked a soldier and nurse. How wonderful. I'll be linking to this, thanks SO much for sharing your talent!
ReplyDeleteThese are darling, Jodie, and this idea has the most amazing possibilities! I can picture a manger scene with Mary, Joseph, and a smaller version for baby Jesus. Obviously my brain is headed toward Christmas projects. :>}
ReplyDeleteaww these would be so cute for my nurse friends!
ReplyDeleteThese are so awesome! We've added this tutorial on our SewingBusiness blog - http://sewingbusiness.com/2009/10/08/project-tutorial-one-hour-stuffed-dolls.aspx
ReplyDeleteThanks again!
Sarah J Doyle
http://PatternsThatFitYou.com
http://SewingBusiness.com blog
What great patterns! Thankyou so much. I might try making some for Christmas gifts for the littlies I know.
ReplyDeleteThese are amazing. Thank you!
ReplyDeletePerfect! I was just thinking that my nephew would love a fireman softie and this is just the inspiration I needed. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Jodie I just finished making this pair up! Thanks for the free pattern :) I made mine out of synthetic felt but hope to use something better next time. You can view them on my blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Thank you for this! I just made my son the prince (or soldier?) and wrapped it up to give him tonight. As soon as I get a chance, I'll post him on my blog. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI blogged about the soldier I made from your tutorial, and I just want to say thanks again! Check him out on thimblythings.com.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI always find something new, cute and original on your web site. LOVE the soldier, and now have visions of doing a mantle-full of these for the holidays. As always, thanks for sharing your creativity!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much I am off to go to buy the fabrics etc!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I just found your blog and it is amazing!!
please i would like to ask you something. Do you have any idea where can I find a pattern for a giraffe softie?
Here is my version of the nurse stuffie that I made for my friend as a nurses day/week present. I hope the link works, I wish that I could have visited with you when you were here in Portland.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.182493885240930.1073741833.155440711279581&type=3