Fabric Doll Houses

Tutorial: Fabric Doll Houses by Dawn
The houses, or barns, are made from plywood covered with pellon and fabric. One side wall and roof opens up to reveal a garden and the inside of the barn. They have handles on top of the roof so they are also like little suitcases, ready to carry important things.

In the gardens there are paths, a flower garden, vegie patches and ponds.

Birthday Cakes

Occasion: 1st Birthday
Because the kids can't yet tell us what cake they's like for their first birthday, we tried to imagine what they'd choose if they could. They have lots of toys but each have a favourite.... Horse and Bug. So the decision was made.


A Horse Cake and a Bug Cake.

Cot Danglies

Pattern: My Design
These danglies are to be hung on the kids' cots. They are each a different shape, have a different texture so they are interesting to touch and are filled with wadding. I sewed a wipes packet into the square to get a crinkly feel.

I put elastic in the cord so they can be pulled and will bounce back, and they are attached to the cot with a big bit of velcro that needed a man's strength to break (yes, we tested this!). They are just a simple little thing, but they do the job!

Swim Bag

Tutorial: Wet Bag Tutorial from Little Birdie Secrets
A vinyl lined bag to carry your wet bathers. The bag is 35cm x 26cm with a heavy cotton outer and vinyl lining. I added a zipper pocket on the front for Mum to put her keys, phone, spare change, etc and a loop so it is easy to carry.

Refashion: Shirt to Dress

Refashioned: A man's shirt
Into: A girl's dress
Tutorial: The Shirt Dress by made
While the dress looks OK, it's shape is all wrong! The body is too skinny, the neck is too wide and the armholes are too small. Maybe I mucked up the measurements? I didn't have my niece with me so I think next time, it would help to have the actual body present to get accurate measurements and have fittings along the way. And removing the pockets was not a good move.

Cowl Neck Top

Pattern: Cut from an existing top that was too small. This top was made bigger and longer than the original.

Bug

Pattern: My Design
I used my son's attachment to this toy and bib to make him a "Bug".

I combined what he loves the most from the toy and bib - the legs and the toweling.

I added some stretchy fleece hair, fluffy eyes, a nose and mouth, and a tail that can be used to tie it to the pram so it wont be lost.

So I came up with what we affectionately call "Bug", who is already very well loved.

Kinder Boys

Pattern: Kinder Boys by Ric Rac.
These guys were made for two of my favourite people who are celebrating 12 years together.

Neatly packed in their suitcases are boardshorts, hats and towels for the beach...


a business shirt, pants and a tie for formal occasions...

and flannelette pyjamas with knitted bed socks.

One of the boys has a backpack to carry his camera, zoom lens, magazines and books...

and the other has a satchel to carry his laptop, magazines and books.

Quilted Sleep Sack

Pattern: McCalls pattern (4236)
Same as these sleep sacks I made, but this one has a layer of pelon for warmth.

 

Animal Magnets

Pattern: My Design
I made these magnets to please my magnet-assessed kids. I used a basic circle as a starting point, then morphed it into each animal. I liked the idea of combining material and felt for texture, so each animal has a felt feature. They are lightly stuffed with polyfil so they are soft and easy to grab, and have a little magnet sewed on the inside back so they are chew-friendly.


They have been well received...

Summer Sleep Sacks

Pattern: McCalls pattern (4236)
The pattern says to use stretch knits and the edges are finished off by turning and hemming. I decided to use cotton for the main fabric and flannelette for the lining. I also added a fabric back behind the zipper, a snap button at the top of the zipper and used bias binding to hem the sleeves and armholes.

Fabric Letters

Pattern: My Design
I made some fabric letters for my friend's daughters for their birthday. The letters as 7cm tall and stuffed with a little bit of wadding.

Easter Magnets

Pattern: My Design
Easter rabbit and a carrot, handsewn using felt. A magnet is sewn into the back on the inside.

Knitted Easter Eggs

Pattern: Knitted Easter Eggs from Little Cotton Rabbits

Hanging Stars

Pattern: My Design
I like the idea of my kids having something to look at when they are lying in bed so this is what I came up with. The stars are slightly different shapes and there are three clear beads on the ribbon between each star.

Snap Frame Purse

Pattern: 90mm Purse Frame from Nicole Mallalieu

Baby Toy Ring

Tutorial: Baby Rings by Stardust Shoes