One - Hour softie

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 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)

With Bells On

I have been chained....literally chained to this computer since Friday.

At Loooong last I put my pattern-writing head on (ugly technical beast that it is) and have been working on two new patterns.

(Yes I know all you elephant lovers have been very patient)

I also got word that I will be having a stall at Daylesford Makers Market on Saturday November 28th. How excitement is that ???

I know its a long way off but we'd love to see you there.....

In fact, we'd ALL love to see you there.

Stayin' Alive

Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk

I'm a woman's man.

No time to talk.

Music loud and women warm,

I've been kicked around since I was born.

and now it's all right, it's OK.

and you may look the other way

We can try to understand
The New York Time's effect on man


Whether you're a brother
or whether you're a mother



You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive
Feel the city breakin'
and ev'rybody shakin'



and we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive
AH

AH

AH

AH

Stayin' alive ........

One.......

One little message-bot

sitting on the shelf

with a teeny tiny message

that she sent to herself !

Looking for ..........

Looking for some hot love baby, this evening...................

Looking for some hot love baby tonight.......

( actually I'd be pretty thrilled with a bit of hand sewing on the couch and a wee glass of wine !)

Hot pink Hello's

School concert, which has occupied almost every waking moment for the last ten weeks is over. By all accounts everything went well and the kids had a ball. Even though I loved every minute of it, I must say I am so glad it is all over.

I am taking a leaf out of my friend Annie's book and I am making a new dressing gown these holidays. Then I am going to put it on and go into the sewing room....... I plan to spend as much time in there as possible working on about half a zillion things.

So pop in by all means, just don't get too distressed by the HOT PINK chenille former bedspread gown , bed hair , bra-less bag lady look I am currently working will you ?

When my baby smiles at me .......

When spring is springing all around you , what else can you do but get into the garden

take a moment to sit on the grass

and blink into the sunshine

climb some fences

and do a spot of power-walking

closely followed by a bit of power-jogging

Is it just me or does Eddie have a touch of the Peter Allen showman about him?