Posted Wednesday 20 May 2009 and filed under: Designing, Tips-n-Tricks
Tags: ,doll, elephant, process, softie, softie making
I think the process of making something can be just as important as the final result - many lessons are learnt for the next challenge. I find it fascinating to see how others approach the process of making, especially how they turn a sketch on a piece of paper into a 3D object. So I hope you will find the next two posts helpful.
Jodie (of Ric-Rac) is from Melbourne, Australia, and makes beautiful softies (amongst other crafty things). More importantly though, she is kind, generous and has an infectious positive spirit. It is no surprise then that she took the time to share over a number of posts the process for making this little guy, Milton:
{image credit: Ric-Rac}
Who soon had this little lady friend (though Jodie admits that she is not completely happy with her and is still working on her):
{image credit: Ric-Rac}
Here are posts so you can follow along:
>> Step 1: But Where Does It Come From?
>> Step 2: Fantasy vs Reality or Will It Really Work?
>> Step 3: The Actual Sewing
>> Step 4: Dissection!
More recently, she also posted some progress photos for making these elephants:
{image credit: Ric-Rac}
You can view them here: Pachyderm Evolution
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Posted Thursday 23 April 2009 and filed under: Dolls, Tutorials/Free Patterns
Tags: ,Christmas, cute, elf, festive, fleece, free, pattern, softie
How adorable is this little guy?!
{image credit: Pickle Sticks}
He is made from fleece (soft and cuddly!) and requires a small amount of stuffing. The whole pattern (template and instructions) is available as a free downloadble PDF document.
Christmas is a few months away but if you start now you can make one of these for all your loved ones and have them ready just in time 
They would look so cute poking out the top of a Christmas stocking.
Get it from here: Christmas Elf by Pickle Sticks
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Posted Thursday 9 April 2009 and filed under: Animal Softies, Insects & Bugs, Tutorials/Free Patterns
Tags: ,Beginner project, caterpillar, cute, free, softie
Inspired by the colourful, fresh and unique illustrations by Eric Carle, and his book, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar“, Craftblog presents a tutorial on how to make a caterpillar softie:
{image credit: Craftblog}
Note that this is purely a tutorial and provides guidance on how to put one together but an example template is provided, which you can save as an image and enlarge for printing as required. I think Craftblog’s caterpillar has turned out marvelously well - what great gift this would be for a child’s birthday complete with a copy of the book itself!
Go here for the tutorial: Caterpillar Softie Tutorial by Craftblog
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Posted Thursday 9 April 2009 and filed under: 4-Legged Creatures, Animal Softies, Tutorials/Free Patterns
Tags: ,Beginner project, bunny, cute, easter, free, pattern, rabbit, softie
Here’s another simple bunny pattern that you can personalise to your heart’s desire. Plus, you can make two different bunnies from the basic pattern:
{image credit: Revoluzzza}
Brought to you by German softie-maker, Revoluzzza, you will find clear step-by-step instructions, downloadable template and helpful accompanying photos.
Get it here: Let’s sew . . . RevoluzZzionary Easter Bunnies by RevoluzZza
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Posted Thursday 9 April 2009 and filed under: 4-Legged Creatures, Animal Softies, Tutorials/Free Patterns
Tags: ,Beginner project, bunny, cardigan, cute, easter, free, jumper, pattern, re-use, recycle, softie, sweater
‘Tis the season for bunny-making with Easter just around the corner. Here’s a an easy one to start with and you get to re-use pre-loved sweaters!
{image credit: Kayte Terry}
The step-by-step directions are excellent with online links to specific stitches mentioned. There is no template - you just draw freehand the bunny shape to your liking. Also included are instructions on how to make a pom-pom tail. Too cute!
Find it here: How to make a softie bunny from recyled sweaters by Kayte Terry (via Craftzine)
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Posted Tuesday 31 March 2009 and filed under: Animal Softies, Birds, Tutorials/Free Patterns
Tags: ,bird, chick, cute, easter, free pattern, softie
Here is a very cute Easter-themed birdie for you to make by Tania Ennor:
{image credit: Tania Ennor}
This is a good beginner’s project and would look sweet nestled in an Easter basket with a selection of chocolate eggs. Instructions are clear and easy to follow and template is in a downloadable PDF format.
Find it here: Easter Tutorial: Chikummyig
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Posted Tuesday 31 March 2009 and filed under: 4-Legged Creatures, Animal Softies, Tutorials/Free Patterns
Tags: ,cute, donkey, free pattern, mule, softie
Apologies for that unplanned absence! it’s great to be back here and sharing more softie goodness with you.
Let’s kick it off with the most sweetest donkey softie I have ever seen, made by one of my favourite softie makers Myra Masuda, published in the book “Softies Only a Mother Could Love“:
{image credit: Penguin Group}
The project is brought to you by Etsy’s The Storque. You can also download the full project sheet (in addition to the template).
Find it here: How-Tuesday: Make a Donkey Softie
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Posted Wednesday 28 January 2009 and filed under: Other Softies, Tutorials/Free Patterns
Tags: ,cuddly, cute, fleece, handsewn, pattern, robot, softie
Here is a great step-by-step tutorial on how to hand-sew this jolly little robot softie:
{image credit: Jessyratfink}
In fact this tutorial was a First Prize Winner in the Instructables Book Contest. The robot is made of fleece and the pattern is in jpeg format.
The free pattern is here: Robot Plushie by Jessyratfink @ Instructables
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Posted Wednesday 28 January 2009 and filed under: Animal Softies, Sea Animals, Tutorials/Free Patterns
Tags: ,cute, knit, octopus, pattern, softie, tentacles
I like how this knitted softie Octopus has his tentacles all curled up
{image credit: Lion Brand Yarn}
This free project has been marked as “Easy” and requires 1 ball of yarn. Note that you will need to be a registered user of their website in order to view the pattern (registration is free).
Pattern details are here: Ollie the Octopus by Lion Brand Yarn
Found via Craftzine
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Posted Wednesday 28 January 2009 and filed under: Other Softies, Tutorials/Free Patterns
Tags: ,cottage, cute, embroider, felt, handsewn, house, mushroom, pattern, softie, toadstool
How sweet are these Toadstool Cottage and Mushroom House Pincushions?
{image credit: The Little House by the Sea}
I think they would look so gorgeous lined up on a dresser in different sizes and with different embroidered details. Or how about making them in to ornaments? Give-aways? How about enlarging the pattern and making a toadstool 1 or 2 feet tall for your child’s bedroom?
So versatile and sure to add a little bit of whimsy into your home!
Find the free pattern and instructions here: Toadstool Cottage and Mushroom House by The Little House by the Sea
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