Today I am SUPER excited to have Sunni from
guest posting on Mommas Like Me!
Sunni has some mad skills with a sewing machine that I someday wish to posses. She makes gorgeous quilts and adorable little dresses and skirts for her two beautiful daughters. And today she is going to show us all how to make a cuddly little stuffie with some help from your kiddo!
So take a little stroll on over to Love Affair With My Brother and check out all of their great tutorials and creations! I'm sharing a tutorial on how to make a Candy Filled Wine Glass that would be a perfect hostess gift over there today too, so be sure to check that out as well.
Ok Sunni, show us how it's done!
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Hi there! I am Sunni from Love Affair with my Brother. No, I'm not immoral. Our blog is a little cheeky and you will get the joke once you read our tagline!
I write this cheeky blog with Melissa, my cohort! I have 2 lovely little girls that I craft and sew for, and I like to showcase those ideas and tutorials on my blog! Come by and see me!
My oldest, Ellie loves to sew and craft with me. We had a little time this week, during Mae's naptime, to whip up a little monster.
If you have never sewn with your kids, (or never sewn at all!) I am here to tell you that it is worth the frustration and effort. My grandma taught me to sew when I was only 7 or 8, and I could not imagine the patience it took to teach a wiggly little child to sit still in a sewing chair and concentrate on a needle! I couldn't imagine, that is, until I taught Ellie! Ellie has already made quite a few projects. This was her 3rd monster!
It doesn't need to be perfect, it does not even need to be great. Your child will get such a sense of accomplishment from making their own stuffie!
Learn how to do it!
You will need:
old t-shirt (fleece or felt is easier for 1st time sewists)
drawing paper and supplies
pattern paper or newsprint
buttons
sewing supplies
embroidery floss (not pictured)
Polyfil stuffing (not pictured)
Oh yeah, and grab your kidlet, too. Here's mine! Awww!
Disclaimer: I made this tutorial with an 8-yr-old who has 8-yr-old skills. If you have a younger child, they can help draw the shape, choose button eyes, or draw on the mouth!
So we will start off with having your child draw a general monster shape. Just try to aim for simple!
Most likely, it won't be symmetrical. Do they want it symmetrical?? If yes, (Ellie did) fold it in half down the center of the monster and pick the better side.
Have your kidlet cut it out. Don't worry about the other side.
Now transfer that drawing to your folding newsprint, matching the folds. You may have to extend certain body parts to make it easier to sew. We had a few tries!! I didn't add a seam allowance, because we are going to sew right on the line.
Have your kidlet cut this out, too!
With your t-shirt inside out, lay your pattern on and draw around it with a water-soluable pen, chalk or even a dry erase marker. Use some pins to hold your layers together.
Before we sew, you will need to switch your needle to a stretch or knit needle for t-shirts. Universal or topstitch needles are great for fleece or felt.
Along a fat or long side, pin or mark a 2-3"opening. (See my big white pins?) We will use this to turn and stuff our monster.
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I originally pinned my pattern down, but changed my mind and drew around it. |
Sit your kidlet down and have them sew on the line, leaving your 3" opening and backstitching at each side to reinforce. Lift the presser foot and pivot at any sharp turns. Use a straight stitch and try to stretch the t-shirt material just a little as you sew.
This can be a really fun part for some kids, but too much to focus on for others. When are they too young? Depends on the kid! I taught Ellie to sew when she turned 5. If they lose interest at this part, they will gain it back when it comes to stuffing and decorating!
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I marked my opening |
Cut out your monster about 1/4"-3/8" from the edge, leaving extra seam allowance by your opening. Clip your points and curves.
Turn your monster right side out. Use a chopstick or pencil eraser to push out any points, gently! Stuff it with polyfil. I like polyfil, because it is washable!!
You can whipstitch or ladder stitch your opening closed.
Now add some buttons and use embroidery floss to make a mouth and nose. I did the mouth and Ellie did the nose. She wanted it to look like a skeleton nose! I think she did pretty good!
Start with a knot and go in from the seam. Pull the knot through the seam line and into the monster. Pull your needle up at your mouth (or nose) starting point. Embroider your face. When you are finished, you will exit at a seam line. Pull it just a little too tight, tie a small knot, and then pull the knot back into the monster.
Love the beetles out of that little monster!! Both of them!
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Is that adorable or what?!?
A HUGE thank you to Sunni for taking time out of her busy momma schedule to guest post here today! Make sure to stop by
And don't forget about the giveaway I have going on right now!! Make sure to get yourself entered to win one of these pretty little necklaces in YOUR choice of color!!
Click HERE to enter!!
xoxo,
Lacee
