Patterns, Techniques, Articles, Blogs, and other resources to learn how to sew
Melanie from The Crafty Cupboard shows how to make this super cute monster taggy toy. Squeeeeal! Look at that big monster mouth – it’s also a little handle! And his hair is made from ribbon tags. This would be a great gift for a baby! Get the tutorial.
[photo from The Crafty Cupboard]
I’m always tempted by the pretty velvets at the fabric store. So much texture! And the way the fibers catch the light! But sewing on velvet is trickier than you’d think. That nap that lends beautiful texture also likes to slip and crawl. That nap can also spell disaster if you cut a piece the wrong direction. That isn’t to say you shouldn’t use buy that velvet and sew it into something gorgeous, you just need to go into your velvet sewing project prepared. And Melissa at Melly Sews has a post that takes you step by step through sewing on velvet.
Velvet is such a luscious fabric, especially for winter sewing projects. Of course there are velvet Christmas sewing projects – stockings, tree skirts, santa hats – but velvet is beautiful for all winter. Think of all the gorgeous velvet dresses, evening bags, hair accessories, even pillows and other home décor that you see all winter long.
Melly Sews’ post gives you the tips and tricks you need to know in order for your velvet sewing project to end up a success. There are types of projects better suited for velvets, and kinds of projects to avoid. She describes the different types of velvet available. And she also tells the best way to lay out and cut your pattern pieces from velvet fabric. Her tutorial also covers marking, pressing, and of course sewing that beautiful fabric. There’s also a video included in case that’s your preferred method for learning.
Head over to Melly Sews to learn how to sew on velvet fabric.
And if you want to learn more about that lovely blue velvet dress shown, she has a post that tells more about it including 2 ways to style it depending on if you want to be more dressy or more casual.
[photo credit: Melly Sews]
I am posting this here as well as on the source blog because it is a major safety issue:
First of all, I think this is a really cute toy for any infant!
However, I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but the loops on this toy are not safe for babies. They can get wound around their fingers or toes and cut off the circulation.
My daughter almost lost a finger to a very similar loop of ribbon on a stuffed animal She was lucky that we were able to catch it in time.
The project can be just as visually interesting and entertaining with a ribbon fringe instead of loops. You can either seam up the middle of the loop or cut the loops at the top and give a quick rolled finish to the ends.
May you and your babies enjoy this wonderful project in good health!