Ferdinand is a lovable frog, perfect for Valentine’s Day or any day. He’s got Velcro hands and feet so that he can hug a soft, plush heart (or a box of candy or another gift you have in mind). Oh, and with that golden crown he’s also a frog prince. To make Ferdinand you’ll need:…
Free Pattern: The Josephine Doll
Today I have a fun, free pattern to share with you: the Josephine Doll. I made 10 of these dolls last week for a members of my local artists group. We do a holiday art exchange each year. Everyone makes a series of tiny originals and we put them all out on a table and…
Flying Squirrel – A Free Pattern
Each month Mollie Johanson organizes her blog, Wild Olive, around a particular animal. All of her projects, patterns, and printables for the month incorporate that animal motif. I think this is a really brilliant way to blog. A month-long visual theme can help you to brainstorm new ideas (what if I put it on a…
Tutorial: Patchwork Play Ball Made With English Paper Piecing
These patchwork play balls are great handmade baby gifts. They’re bright and colorful and make a nice rattling sound when you roll them back and forth. This project is made with English Paper Piecing so it’s all sewn by hand. It’s easy enough to work on while watching a movie and it’s a great way…
Hexie Lion Pillow Free Tutorial
I came up with this design by simply playing around with 12 paper hexagons, arranging and rearranging them like I was playing Tangrams. When I connected them to form a ring they looked to me like the mane of a lion and that was the spark that lead me to design this hexie lion pillow….
More Fun with Pete the Bear (a Free Pattern)
This weekend I pulled out the buckets of quilting cotton scraps and spent a fun few hours sewing some new Pete the Bears. Pete is a free pattern (download it right here) and is the perfect little canvas for playing with fun color combinations, trim, and buttons. My original Pete was sewn from wool scraps…
Penny the Fish: A Free Pattern
Penny is a soft and huggable fish. She’s fun and easy to sew and would make a great summer birthday gift for a child you know, or maybe for yourself (it’s okay to play with stuffed animals even when you’re a grown-up). The finished fish stuffed animal is 10.5″ long. To make Penny you’ll need:…
Soft Rattle Balls to Sew: Free Tutorial
Sew a basket full of soft rattle balls in a rainbow of colors (or do all black and white!). These are a great toddler toy, and they’re also fun juggling balls for older kids. To make a soft rattle ball you’ll need: two 8″ x 5″ scraps of fabric (I used fleece, but almost any…
Free Pattern: Casey the Crab
I have a fun free pattern for you today. Meet Casey the Crab! To make Casey the Crab you’ll need: 1/4 yard of red fleece (felt, wool, cotton, or other fabrics will work, too) 1 pair of 6mm safety eyes (I got mine at Joann’s, but they’re also available here) black embroidery floss or Perle…
Rainbow Bean Bags How-To: Free Sewing Pattern
I have a fun DIY toy pattern for you today. Use some scraps of fabrics in a rainbow of colors to make a set of bean bags. You can whip these up in an afternoon, and kids can help if they want to. There are so many ways to play with these. Play catch Have…