{Tutorial} Penguin Mask

Okay, so here's the first of many felt animal mask tutorials!

If you want to know the reason behind all of these, here is the post about them.

Anyway, on to the child's Penguin Mask Tutorial.

 

 

Supplies:

Penguin Mask Template

Freezer Paper Sheet

Sharp Scissors

Sewing machine

White Felt and White Thread

Orange Felt(Scrap) and Orange Thread

Black Felt and Black thread

Heavy Interfacing

Elastic

Pins
 

Click on the above template, print it and trace onto the non-shiny side of the Freezer Paper.

You may be able to print directly onto the freezer paper if your printer will allow it.

 Mine, sadly did not, so I traced. Boo.

 

Loosely cut out each piece of the template.

 

 

 Iron the Freezer Paper template pieces onto the felt with the shiny side DOWN,

and cut out using sharp scissors.

 

 

Cut:

2  head pieces in White Felt

(the one template piece can be reused)

 

1 head piece in the Heavy Interfacing

(by this point you may need to pin the template to the interfacing if it is no longer sticking)

 

1 "hair" piece in Black Felt

 

1 beak in Orange Felt

 

1 piece of Elastic to fit your child

(mine is 15", but measure for yourself)

 Stack the head pieces with the felt on the top and bottom and the interfacing on the inside.

 Its hard to see on this mask because they are all white, but its like a sandwich.

 

Pin the layers so that they don't move during sewing. Tuck the ends of the elastic under one of the outer layers(between the felt and the interfacing)and pin it.

I tuck about a half inch, and factor that into my calculations before I cut the elastic.

 

 Then zigzag stitch around the outside edge, as well as inside each eye. Don't stress on this too much. The thread is the same color as the felt so it really doesn't show up if you goof a little. Your kid will be WAY to busy waddling around like a penguin to notice any uneven stitches;)

 Pin the orange beak piece to the, uh, beak.

Then straight stitch around the edges using matching thread.

 

 See? Totally cute already...even with its imperfections.

Handmade :)

 

 Then comes the fun part:) Pin the black "hair" piece on, so that the poor penguin looks like he's getting a rather involved session of acupuncture. This piece tends to move,

so really pin that sucker down! Then zigzag around the edges using black thread.

 

 

 

 You're DONE! Be prepared for your kid to think you're the best mom ever.

You're welcome.

 

Any questions? Did I leave anything out? Feel free to leave a comment with your questions and if you make one/some of these I would LOVE to see, so please share:)

You may find me linking up with some of these blogs:
Fingerprints on the Fridge, Making The World Cuter, Dittle Dattle, Mad Skills Monday, Skip to my Lou, Craft O Maniac, Delicate Construction, Ask Anna, New Nostalgia, House of Grace, Sassy Sites, Not Just a Housewife, Today's Creative Blog, My Craftie Life, Sew Much Ado, Seven Thirty-Three, Someday Crafts, A Diamond in the Stuff, My Girlish Whims, Somewhat Simple, Momnivores Dilemma, Paisley Passions, Fun to Craft, Make it, Wear it, Gluesticks, House of Hepworths, What Allie's Making Now, Finding Fabulous, A Little Knick Knack, Mommas Kinda Crafty, Its a Hodgepodge Life, Inspiring Creations, Be Different Act Normal, Wildflowers and Whimsy, Tatertots and Jello, The Idea Room, My Repurposed Life, Sew Many Ways, I Heart Naptime, Thirty Handmade Days, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Itch, Oops I Craft My Pants, Addicted 2 Decorating, CRAFT
DIY Home Sweet Home

{Tutorial} Freezer Paper Prep

I have been working on the Tutorials for the Felt Animal Masks and I decided that I should first share how I prepare my Freezer Paper for Crafting.

 

Freezer Paper can be used to make Stencils for DIY Silk Screening, but it can also be used for transferring patterns onto fabric.

 

I used this to make my Felt Animal Masks so that I didn't need to mark up the fabrics. Simply trace the pattern onto the non-shiny side of the Freezer Paper and then iron it, shiny side DOWN, onto your fabric. Then you can cut out the pattern without pins or slippage. Its pretty fantastic stuff.

 

I know you can buy sheets, but I could only find the rolls locally, so I decided to make my own sheets to make things easier and to cut down on waste.

• You will need a Self Healing Mat, Quilters Ruler and a Rotary Cutter
• Line up the paper and cut at the 11" mark. Cut the whole roll like this.
• You will need a Fiskars (or other brand) craft paper cutter.
• Take the sheets that you just finished cutting and trim them down to 8 1/2"
• Place in a folder for safe keeping and easy crafting access.

Now go find some Freezer Paper and get ready for the slew of Animal Mask Tutorials that will be heading your way soon! :)

{Tutorial} Simple Burp Cloths

I have SO MANY pregnant friends right now and I love giving handmade gifts.

Burp cloths are something that every mother needs and really you can never have too many!

If they are cute...even better!

I love the look of the ones with the strip of fabric down the center of a cloth diaper,

but I have heard from friends that they don't absorb as well.

The spit up runs down the fabric center and doesn't do what it is meant to do.

Flannel is very absorbent and gets more so with each wash, so that's what I made these with.

You could also do a flannel print on the front with minky, terry cloth, or chenille on the back.

Cut 2 pieces of flannel or whatever fabric you are using.

Mine were about 9" X 17".

Finished product is about 8"x16".

This gives good shoulder coverage without being too big and rolls up nicely in the diaper bag.

Pin the pieces right side to right side.

Sew with a 3/8 seam allowance ALMOST all the way around.

Leave about a 3" section open for turning.

Make sure to back stitch at the beginning and the end.

Snip off the corners.

This removes some bulk in the corners when you turn.

Turn right side out, poke out the corners so they are nice a sharp and press with an iron.

Make sure that the fabric at the opening is turned in(sometimes I pin this)

Then topstitch all the way around.

Backstitch at the beginning and end.

And you're done!

Make them in multiples and tie them up with a ribbon!

I gave these to a friend along with a set of bottles that she had registered for.

Bottles and Burp Cloths...Get it?

I love me a theme gift!

Here's a simple modification:

Round the corners!

 Using a cup, bowl or anything circular really, trace a rounded corner.

I do this after my fabric is pinned together so that I am not fighting to line up the rounded corners.

 With rounded corners you will need to cut out little notches. This keeps your corners from being too bulky.

 Turn, press, and topstitch!

Ask any mom and she will tell you that you can NEVER have too many burp cloths.

Why not give them something that is not only practical, but OH SO CUTE!

Oh, and did I mention that they are super inexpensive to make?

Especially if you get your fabrics on sale or with a coupon like I do!

Happy Sewing!

Linking up with some of these blogs:

Fingerprints on the Fridge, Making The World Cuter, Dittle Dattle, Mad Skills Monday, Skip to my Lou, Craft O Maniac, Delicate Construction, Ask Anna, New Nostalgia, House of Grace, Sassy Sites, Not Just a Housewife, Today's Creative Blog, My Craftie Life, Sew Much Ado, Seven Thirty-Three, Someday Crafts, A Diamond in the Stuff, My Girlish Whims, Somewhat Simple, Momnivores Dilemma, Paisley Passions, Fun to Craft, Make it, Wear it, Gluesticks, House of Hepworths, What Allie's Making Now, Finding Fabulous, A Little Knick Knack, Mommas Kinda Crafty, Its a Hodgepodge Life, Inspiring Creations, Be Different Act Normal, Wildflowers and Whimsy, Tatertots and Jello, The Idea Room, My Repurposed Life, Sew Many Ways, I Heart Naptime, Thirty Handmade Days, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Itch, Oops I Craft My Pants, Addicted 2 Decorating

{Tutorial} "Name" Beanbags

I decided to make my son Travis some beanbags to help him to learn the letters of his name.

Uppercase letters on one side and lowercase letters on the other.

I went through my felt stash (yep, I have a whole bin FULL of felt) and realized that I could get almost all the colors of the rainbow to spell out his name!

First, cut your fabric into 5"x5" squares. 2 of each color.
Then arrange them into a rainbow and take a picture.Very important step! Unless your fabrics are not, in fact, a rainbow of colors because that just would not make sense.


#1. Trace the REVERSED Letter onto the shiny side of Heat N Bond, iron it onto the fabric you are using for your letters and then cut it out. Remove paper backing and iron to the center of your 5"x5" square.

#2. Using a zigzag or straight stitch, sew the applique to the fabric square.

#3. Here is my first one all stitched down. I used a straight stitch as close to the edge as I could. GO SLOW as there are lots of turns and curves.

#4. Here is what the back looks like...as you can see it looks just like the letter because of how carefully I sewed. My thread matches, so it's probably not that big of a deal, but I am a firstborn(read:Type A) so I kept it as neat as I could. I eased up a bit after the first one.

#5. Repeat with the lowercase letter on the other 5"x5" square of the same color.

#6. Pin the two squares "T" to "t" like they are smooching. Maybe even make the sound when you do this step. Pin the crap out of it, or don't. Not really necessary to use that many pins, but whatever.

#7. Sew around the outside of the squares leaving a 2"-3" opening. Back stitch at the beginning and at the end so that it is nice and strong when you turn the bag.

#8. "Clip" the corners. This removes some of the bulk once you turn the bag right side out. Make sure you don't cut through the thread.

#9. Turn the bag right side out and poke out the corners with something pointy (pencil, chopstick, actual apparatus meant for poking out corners).

#10. Fill bag with beans. I used about 3/4 cup in mine.

#11. Top stitch all the way around the bag to seal it closed and to add strength.

Let your toddler play with the beans on the floor so that he will leave you alone

long enough to get these finished!

Just FYI:

Making these assembly line fashion is the way to go!

Do each step with all the beanbags at the same time so you save time

and are not going back and forth.

Let the LEARNING FUN begin!

You may find me linking up with some of these blogs:
Fingerprints on the Fridge, Making The World Cuter, Dittle Dattle, Mad Skills Monday, Skip to my Lou, Craft O Maniac, Delicate Construction, Ask Anna, New Nostalgia, House of Grace, Sassy Sites, Not Just a Housewife, Today's Creative Blog, My Craftie Life, Sew Much Ado, Seven Thirty-Three, Someday Crafts, A Diamond in the Stuff, My Girlish Whims, Somewhat Simple, Momnivores Dilemma, Paisley Passions, Fun to Craft, Make it, Wear it, Gluesticks, House of Hepworths, What Allie's Making Now, Finding Fabulous, A Little Knick Knack, Mommas Kinda Crafty, Its a Hodgepodge Life, Inspiring Creations, Be Different Act Normal, Wildflowers and Whimsy, Tatertots and Jello, The Idea Room, My Repurposed Life, Sew Many Ways, I Heart Naptime, Thirty Handmade Days, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Itch, Oops I Craft My Pants, Addicted 2 Decorating

Haul Out the Holly: Double Sided Polaroid Ornament Tutorial

I am super excited to be participating in Gwen's 2nd annual Haul Out the Holly event!

Last year I shared a Mug Rug Tutorial,

and this year I am going to share a simple handmade ornament.

I love pictures on a Christmas tree...it is just so sentimental and special.

Unfortunately I cannot hang any on the "Charlie Brown Trees" that we cut down each year because the picture frame ornaments are just too heavy.

I went through my craft stash with a photo ornament in mind,

and when I saw the white felt I was inspired to make a Polaroid Ornament!

During the design process I decided to make it double sided.

I chose to do it this way so that you see a picture from both sides of the tree,

and as a bonus you don't have to try to "hide" an ugly back.

Double Sided Polaroid Ornament

Supplies:

Stiff Felt Sheet

Scissors

Craft knife

Hot Glue Gun

Sewing Machine

Ribbon

Scrabble Tiles

Cut 2 pieces of felt into "Polaroid" shape.

I used scissors to cut the outside and a craft knife on a cutting mat for the inside.

Stitch along the top of each piece, as well as all the way around the inside window.

I used a med length zigzag on this one.

Make a line with your hot glue gun.

This will be the ledge that your photos will sit on.

Line up the two pieces and press together at the glue line.

Zigzag stitch down the side, across the bottom and up the other side to make a pocket.

Leave the top open! (remember we already sewed the tops)

Punch a hole in the top using a hole punch(I used a Crop-a-Dial).

Cut your picture to the right size and slide it in through the open top.

No exact science here people...I pretty much just eyeballed it;)

Cut the picture for the reverse side and slide it in as well.

Put the ribbon through the hole and tie a bow at the top.

The ribbon acts not only as the hanger,

but also as a way to close up the top of the ornament to keep the photos in.

Using a hot glue gun I attached scrabble tiles for a title.

My daughter was Mary for our church's Christmas video and with it being a Christmas ornament and all I thought this photo would be appropriate.

My son Travis was a cow in the video,

so I put this picture on the back and used more scrabble tiles to spell out COW.

I am looking forward to pulling this ornament out every year

...it already has me feeling all smooshy.

I seriously LOVE seeing this on my tree!

I also love that it doesn't weigh down my wimpy tree:)

There are SO many ways you can customize these and they can be used for:

Stocking labels, Gift Tags, Garlands, etc.

Now go make some!

Thank you Gwen for inviting me to play again:) This has been such a fun series!

If you don't know Gwen yet, you must go check out her blog...especially her Tutorials. 

She is such an inspiration to me and is one of my best Bloggy friends.

I pretty much adore her and know you will too!

Linking up here:

Fingerprints on the Fridge, Making The World Cuter, Dittle Dattle, Mad Skills Monday, Skip to my Lou, Craft O Maniac, Delicate Construction, Ask Anna, New Nostalgia, House of Grace, Sassy Sites, Not Just a Housewife, Today's Creative Blog, My Craftie Life, Sew Much Ado, Seven Thirty-Three, Someday Crafts, A Diamond in the Stuff, My Girlish Whims, Somewhat Simple, Momnivores Dilemma, Paisley Passions, Fun to Craft, Make it, Wear it, Gluesticks, House of Hepworths, What Allie's Making Now, Finding Fabulous, A Little Knick Knack, Mommas Kinda Crafty, Its a Hodgepodge Life, Inspiring Creations, Be Different Act Normal, Wildflowers and Whimsy, Tatertots and Jello, The Idea Room, My Repurposed Life, Sew Many Ways, I Heart Naptime, Thirty Handmade Days, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Itch, Oops I Craft My Pants, Addicted 2 Decorating

{Tutorial} Simple Applique Onesie

Applique Onesies.

Babies go through several onesies a day, so these make great baby gifts!

Trace a shape on the SMOOTH side of Heat'N'Bond light.

I used a cookie cutter to get this heart shape:) Ha! Told you it was simple.

Iron the BUMPY side of the Heat'N'Bond to the WRONG side of the fabric.

Cut out shape and peel off the paper backing.

Place it wherever you want it.

Press with an iron to adhere it to the onesie.

Before sewing, unsnap the bottom of the onesie.

Slip the onesie around the machine so that you are not sewing the front to the back.

Stitch around the fabric.

I like to use a tight zigzag stitch to add definition.

In addition to the heart I made a simple Christmas Tree with a triangle and a tiny rectangle.

 I chose non-Christmas fabric so it can be worn at other times by other babies,

but is still cute for the season.

These were for a friend of mine who just had her sweet tiny baby girl.

Oh how fun it is to sew for a girl!

As you can see, I also made her a tiny Tutu!

We put it on her and OH. MY. YUM!

I vow to include a handmade tutu in every baby girl gift from now on.

Simple and inexpensive and oh so cute!

I will do a tutorial on that with the next one I make.

I am linking up to some of these blogs:

Fingerprints on the Fridge, Making The World Cuter, Dittle Dattle, Mad Skills Monday, Skip to my Lou, Craft O Maniac, Delicate Construction, Ask Anna, New Nostalgia, House of Grace, Sassy Sites, Not Just a Housewife, Today's Creative Blog, My Craftie Life, Sew Much Ado, Seven Thirty-Three, Someday Crafts, A Diamond in the Stuff, My Girlish Whims, Somewhat Simple, Momnivores Dilemma, Paisley Passions, Fun to Craft, Make it, Wear it, Gluesticks, House of Hepworths, What Allie's Making Now, Finding Fabulous, A Little Knick Knack, Mommas Kinda Crafty, Its a Hodgepodge Life, Inspiring Creations, Be Different Act Normal, Wildflowers and Whimsy, Tatertots and Jello, The Idea Room, My Repurposed Life, Sew Many Ways, I Heart Naptime, Thirty Handmade Days, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Itch, Oops I Craft My Pants, Addicted 2 Decorating