Child/Toddler Skinny Shrug

Emma's dance studio can get cool in the Fall. So, I wanted to get her some sleeves, but I couldn't find a skinny shrug in her size, nor could I find a pattern for anything of the sort.

I knew it had to be simple, but I was looking for some direction....I found this a tutorial for a simple fleece shrug (http://amberperrypatterns.com/wordpress/quick-easy-fleece-shrug/90).

But, the sleeves in this design aren't tight....so I got the only skinny-tee toddler sewing pattern I could find (http://www.made-by-rae.com/2012/02/flashback-skinny-tee-sewing-pattern-is-here/) (online or from the major pattern companies), and squared off the top of the sleeve and...whola!  A skinny shrug w/the perfect snug sleeves.

Tape the sleeve pattern to a piece of paper.

A - Add the width of the child's shoulders between the top of the sleeves.

You will need to cut the material with the stretch perpendicular to the grain.

B - To cut a single piece of fabric, you will need yardage to fit the length of the pattern wrist to wrist.

C - To use less yardage, add a seam in the center back.  You will only need yardage to fit the length of the pattern from wrist to the center back.

Refer to the pattern directions for finishing the sleeves.

Sew the under arms together, finish the seams, then finish the edge of the bodice area.
I zig-zagged around the opening, then folded over the edge and top stitched with a twin needle.

I discovered the twin needle through the helpful tutorial found at: http://pickupsomecreativity.blogspot.com/2011/06/sewing-101-with-katy-sewing-with-double.html

Made-by-Rae.com also has a helpful tutorial on sweing with knits: http://www.made-by-rae.com/2012/02/hemming-knits-6-ways-to-beat-those-pesky-puckers/

Emma picked out a jersey sprinkle print from JoAnn's, but I practiced first with one of my old tee shirts.  She has informed me that I don't need to make the sprinkle one because she LOVES the blue and it's her favorite color. :)

Hair Bow Hanger

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When my daughter out-grew her monogram and ribbon hair bow hanger, I looped a tape measure over the bottom of the "E" to add more room. I found the tape measure had more grip than the ribbon and thus would hold a wider variety of clips in place. So, when I came across colorful tape measures for $1.00 at JoAnn's, I decided it was time for a redesign.
Since I now have two daughters, with different initials, I decided not to go with a monogram. After all, neither one "own" any particular bow. I wanted to add hooks for hair pieces and head bands, and stoppers to prevent large french barrettes from slipping to the bottom or crushing other bows.







Supplies:

• 3" x 5" wood plaque, unfinished
• fine grit sand paper
• cheese cloth
• white paint/primer
• acrylic paint of choice
• paint brushes/foam brushes
• Mode Podge - matte
• Mode Podge Acrylic Sealer - matte
• scrapbook paper of choice
• cup hook
• screwdriver (to fit cup hook screws)
• colored tape measures
• stapler
• piece of cardstock
• fabric or paper tape
• plastic snaps (I used Babyville Botique snaps and pliers)
• 3M Command Poster Strips

Painting the Plaque

1. Smooth rough areas with light grit sand paper.
2. Dust plaque with cheese cloth
3. Apply a light coat of white paint or primer on all sides.
4. Let paint dry completley.
5. Lightly sand entire plaque & dust w/cheese cloth.
6. Apply a thin coat of desired acrylic paint around edges of plaque. (I did not paint the area that will be decoupaged.)
7. Repeat steps 4, 5, &6 until desired color intensity is reached.

Decoupaging the Plaque:

1. Cut a piece of scrapbook paper to fit the flat area of the plaque.
2. Apply a thinn layer of Mode Podge to the flat area of the plaque.
3. Place scrapbook paper on the plaque.
4. Apply thin layer of Mode Podge over the paper and on the edges of the plaque.
5. Allow to dry completley.
6. Turn piece over and apply thin layer of Mode Podge to the back of the plaque.
7. Allow to dry completley.
8. Apply moderate layer of Mode Podge Acrylic Sealer to the back of the plaque. (make sure area is well-ventilated and protected from over-spray)
9. Allow to dry completley.
10. Apply moderate layer of Mode Podge Acrylic Sealer to the front of the plaque.
11. Allow to dry completley.




Straight Ribbon Tape Measure:


1. Cut tape measure in half.
2. Place one half of a plastic snap about every 10 inches.
3. Assemble the other half of each snap.
4. Snap each snap together.




Looped Ribbon Tape Measure (to hold additional hair bands)


1. Cut tape measure in half.
2. Cut one half of the tape measure into 3 - 10 inch sections.
3. Attach one end of each cut 10 inch section to the straight ribbon, at 10 inch intervals, using one half of a snap.
4. Attach the other half of each snap to the end of each cut 10 inch section.
5. Snap ends together to create a loop.

Phineas and Ferb Dolls

These are the Phineas and Ferb dolls I gave my nephew for his 1st birthday. He's a fan of Perry the Platypus, but I thought he needed the whole set along with a handy tote to carry around.

The tote is from the Easter Basket tutorial found on the blog Threading My Way.

I increased the size of the tote 2" in each direction by making the side pieces 10" x 8" instead of 8" x 6".

I also added a 3" strip of the orange lining to the top of the outside fabric. I sewed the strip to the top of 8" x 8" pieces of the Perry fabric and then ironed the seams open and topstitched.

I used the stiffest sew-in interfacing found at my local craft store. Since it was so stiff, I cut thrin strips to size for the handles and slid them in the handles after turning instead of sewing the interfacing in and then turning as in the tutorial.



Instructions for making the dolls can be found on my Yo Gabba Gabba Dolls post.

The characters are from page 3 of the Phineas and Ferb's Backyard Board Game printable found on Disney Family.com.

I opened the page in Adobe Illustrator then isolated and enlarged the characters.

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Chemotherapy Care Package

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Note: Click in-text links to view high-resolution image or to follow the product link.

My Mother-in-Law is currently going through Chemo following surgery to remove a 20 lb mass (think bowling ball) found to be ovarian and uterine cancer. I wanted to send her something to help her get through the tough times. Since her grandchildren are her pride and joy, I decided to make a photo quilt. Her favorite color is yellow and she absolutely loves smiley faces. I couldn't find smiley face fabric anywhere, so I ended up using Ink Jet Dark Tee Shirt Iron on Transfers to make my own smiley face fabric squares. And for the Grandma word art and photos I used Ink Jet Light Tee Shirt Iron Transfers.

Download: .ai .pdf .svg .png (2403x1844)

Download: .ai .pdf .svg .png (3304x3722)

I wanted to send a few extra things too and ended up putting together a whole package and making a Butterick See & Sew B5741 Tote to match the quilt. I used stiffer interfacing than the pattern called for. I also layered clear vinyl over the bottom piece to protect the fabric from getting dirty when the tote is set down.

I gathered Care Package item ideas by Googling "Chemo Care Package" and found many discussion forums filled with tons of suggestions.

This is what I ended up sending:

• Gold Bond Sanitizing Lotion
• Snuggly Slipper Socks
• Sudoku Book w/pencil
• Journal w/pen
• "Eating Well Through Cancer" book
• Kleenex Tissue Wallet Packs
• Pamper's Kandoo Unscented Flushable Wipes
• Lemon Drops
• Thera-Breath Mouth Wetting Fresh Breath Lozenges (mandarin mint)
• Ginger Tea
• Travel Size Gold Bond Lotion
• Travel Size Hand Sanitizer
• Travel Size Carmex Stick

I ironed on smiley faces to a yellow neoprene pencil pouch to hold the lozenges in the tote and put some lemon drops in a yellow bar soap travel container.

I also made a Chemo Care Package card that we all signed.

Download: .ai .pdf .svg .png (3153x2236)

I stuck Post-It notes to each item with a note on why it was included (since I won't be there to give it to her). I printed the notes on my ink-jet printer. Below are instructions on how to print on Post-It / Sticky Notes with your printer.

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I just know she is going to be thrilled when this package arrives :)

Yo Gabba Gabba Dolls

1. Print Yo Gabba Gabba characters on InkJetIron-on Dark T-Shirt Transfers.
   I chose to use the transfers for dark fabric because they are made of a heavier plastic than the light fabric transfers.
2. When dry, adhere transfer to cloth according to package directions.
   I used white muslin, but and scrap will suffice.
   * I chose to sew through the plastic transfer all the way around. My hope is to minimize peeling. Another option would be to closely trim the transfer and sew only the fabric around the edge.
3. Tape character face down on a translucent surface and trace 1/2" around character.
   I taped a Knifty Knitter hook to my pencil to achieve a 1/2" offset and used the bottom of a plastic storage container for my translucent surface.
4. Erase extra lines and smooth out curves to allow for easier sewing.
   I chose to use the transfers for dark fabric because they are made of a heavier plastic than the light fabric transfers.
5. Cut a piece of batting and pin to the right side of the character to be cutout.
   Since the transfer is plastic, be sure to only pin in an area that will eventually be trimmed off so you don't have holes in your doll. I used Clover Wonder Clips.
6. Lay character on top of a piece of coordinating fleece. Cut a piece sufficient to serve as a back for the doll.
7. Cut a piece of fabric (muslin) the same size as the piece of fleece.
   I decided to back the fleece with muslin to reduce the stretch in the fleece after first doll I stuffed had a bulgy back side.


8. Pin all layers together: muslin, fleece, right side of character, and batting.


9. Sew around cutout using a 1/4" seam allowance. Leave bottom open to allow for flipping.
   Some characters will require less than the 1/2" of allowance above the head. Sew and trim to find a good width at the top. I had to flip a couple of the characters more than once.
10. Flip character inside out and finger-press the interior seam.
11. Fill with stuffing.
    I used Cluster Stuff to achieve a soft squishy (non lumpy) feel.
12. Turn the bottom edge and close with a blind stitch.