Felt Christmas Ornament Tutorial by Fantastic Toys
Timothy of Fantastic Toys recently emailed with a link to his tutorial for super cute felt softie Christmas ornaments:

{image credit: Fantastic Toys}
How gorgeous would these look in different colour combinations, not just on the tree but hung on ribbon/string like a garland on the walls, across doorways, down staircase rails too?
These ornaments can be hand-sewn, machine-sewn and kids will have a great time gluing on the little embellishments.
Find the downloadable pattern and instructions here: Felt Christmas Ornament Tutorial by Fantastic Toys
Make a Comment ( 1 so far )Turning Small (Softie) Parts by Melly and Me
Melly & Me have started a fantastic little series on their blog called “Tips & Tricks Tuesday“.
Their first tip/trick addresses one common softie-making question: “How do you sew and turn out those small softie parts?“. This includes parts like ears, little arms or legs, feet, horns, etc. that are easy enough to sew up but can drive one to instant insanity when it comes to turning them right-side out.
Melly provides a very clear tutorial accompanied by excellent pics.

{image credit: Melly & Me}
Find it here: Tips & Tricks Tuesday: Turning Small Parts by Melly and Me
Make a Comment ( None so far )Gulla’alla (Koala) by Coloured Buttons
Apologies for another unexpected break - life got crazy busy with an little softie exhibition I was working on. But I’m back and ready to post up lots of wonderful (and free) softie patterns for you, and just in time for the gift-giving season!
First post for today is this sweet Gulla’alla (Koala) and baby by Coloured Buttons:

{image credit: Coloured Buttons}
This would make for a great Beginner’s project. The shape is easy and simple to work with and the construction is straight-forward.
You’ll find the template and the instructions here: Gulla’alla (Koala) by Coloured Buttons
Make a Comment ( None so far )Forest Friend Stuffies by Rice Babies
Rice Babies provides a great tip on how to use animal silhouettes to make forest-themed stuffies/softies from felt. She used these as giveaways for her child’s birthday party:

{image credit: Rice Babies}
Find it here: Forest Friend Stuffies by Rice Babies
Found via Whip Up
Make a Comment ( None so far )One Hour Softie by Ric Rac
Jodie has published this cute pair of softies that you make in just one hour!

{image credit: Ric Rac}
All you’ll need is some felted wool and a few scraps of felt.
Find the pattern here: One Hour Softie by Ric Rac
Make a Comment ( None so far )How to Make Doll’s Hair by Tantehilde
Tantehilde makes extremely cute rag dolls. She shares a very helpful and clear tutorial on how to make a doll’s wig from knitting yarn, and how to attach it to a doll’s head to get this kind of hair style:
{image credit: Tantehilde}
Find the tutorial here: How to Make Doll’s Hair by Tantehilde
Make a Comment ( 3 so far )Softies for Mirabel 2009!
Yes Softie-Makers, it is that time of the year once again - Softies for Mirabel for 2009 has just been launched by Meet Me At Mikes!

{image credit: Meet Me At Mikes}
This is the third year of this successful appeal. The Mirabel Foundation assists children who have been orphaned or abandoned due to parental illicit drug use and are now in the care of extended family (kinship care). In a nut-shell, the appeal is asking for you to donate a handmade softie to be sent to Mikes by December 10, 2009. Mikes will then co-ordinate with the Mirabel Foundation to distribute the softies to the children that the Foundation are supporting, just in time for Christmas!
This is a wonderful cause and I do hope you will get involved this year. If you have any questions about the appeal itself, please go over here for all the details. You can also add a picture of your handmade donation to the Softies for Mirabel Flickr Group (and see what others have been making).
And if you need to find a softie to make for the appeal . . . well, that’s what we’re here for!!
Make a Comment ( 1 so far )Embroidered Kokeshi Stuffie by Melly & Me
Queens of Softie-making, Melly & Me, have generously posted up the free pattern and instructions for making this gorgeous kokeshi stuffie - so sweet!

{image credit: Melly & Me}
A small collection in different colours would look so lovely, or perhaps you can make them as giveaways for your daughter’s party, or even as little ornaments for the Christmas tree (which is only a few months away - eeek!).
Download the pdf and instructions over here: Kokeshi Stuffie by Melly & Me
Make a Comment ( 2 so far )Softie Whale by Small Dream Factory
Thank you to Danielle for letting me know about her fantastic free softie whale pattern:

{image credit: Small Dream Factory}
Isn’t he wonderful?! You can make one too by following her super clear instructions and using her downloadable pdf pattern.
Find him here: Softie Whale by Small Dream Factory
Explore her lovely website for more softie goodness (and she has a few more free patterns on offer too!).
Make a Comment ( 2 so far )Cube, Teddy & Finger Puppets by Pane Amore Creativita
Thank you to Linda for letting me know about some easy to make softies on her website, Pane Amore Creativita.
She has provided tutorials on how to make a felt cube softie, a felt bear softie, and felt finger puppets:



{image credit: Pane Amore Creativita}
The tutorials are in Italian but you can transalate them into English using one of the translation buttons on her website. Also, these projects are quite easy to follow without the transalation and can be purely hand-sewn.
Find them here:
1. Felt softie cubes by Pane Amore Creativita
2. Felt teddy bear by Pane Amore Creativita
3. Felt finger puppets by Pane Amore Creativita





