Last night I taught Sewing Machine 101 here in town. This is one of my favorite classes to teach. People walk in the door with a sewing machine they got as a gift or inherited from an aunt or bought for themselves with the best of intentions. They’re nervous. Maybe they’ve tried to sew with…
Podcast Episode #1: Monster Factory
The post is part of an occasional series called “Awesome Handmade Toys.” These posts feature toy makers whose work I think is particularly fresh and inventive. You can see previous posts in the series here. I also pin toys to my Inspiring Softies pinboard on a regular basis if you’re looking for more inspiration. +++++…
How to Design Cut-and-Sew Softies and Dolls on Spoonflower
A few weeks ago I got in touch with the folks at Spoonflower, the print on demand fabric company, to see about getting some cut-and-sew softie and doll fabrics to play with. I thrilled when they agreed to send me a few fat quarters and today I’m ready to show you what I’ve…
Elephant Softie from Six Months of Softies
Happy weekend to you! I just finished sewing the first pattern from Six Months of Softies and I had to show it to you! This is Polly. The baby is in love with her… …has made off with her… …and refuses to give her back. I can't say I blame her! Wendi has done an…
Six Months of Softies: A Brand New Club!
How do you learn to sew softies? The very best way to learn to sew softies is to, well, sew lots of softies! The more you make, and the more patterns you follow, the better you get at sewing, at designing, and at seeing how softies are constructed. Every pattern has something new to teach…
Sew + Crochet: A Collaboration with Stacey of FreshStitches
When you run a tiny business in which you are the only employee you do everything yourself. You make every decision, you create all the products, do all the design work and all the writing, you do all the outreach, bookkeeping, marketing, and teaching…you do all the everything! It's fantastic! Except sometimes it's a bit…
How to Teach It: A Craftsy Class by Gwen Bortner
Before I became a designer I was a teacher. I’ve known I was a teacher my whole life. Every job I’ve ever had has involved teaching in some way. I’ve been a tutor and a camp counselor. I’ve run a tutoring program and a summer school program for inner city children in Baltimore. I’ve been…
Fun Easter Project: Make a Chick and Egg Reversible Toy
Easter is just around the corner, March 31 to be exact, and somebody is getting ready to hatch! Hmmm…who could it be? Yes, I think I know! A little chick! This chick and egg reversible toy is one of my best selling patterns. It's easy to make (start to finish in a little over…
Favorite Tools: The Ball Point Awl
Sometimes success is all about having the right tool for the job. A ball point awl is one of my favorite softie-making tools. Here's how I use it: To free fur from seams. When you sew with faux fur, bits of the fur pile will get caught in the seams. Freeing the fur from the…
Awesome Handmade Toys: The Felt Mistress
The post is part of an occasional series called "Awesome Handmade Toys." These posts feature toy makers whose work I think is particularly fresh and inventive. You can see previous posts in the series here. I also pin toys to my Inspiring Softies pinboard on a regular basis if you're looking for more inspiration. Are…
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