Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

Toymaking

Making something just because

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Sometimes I like to make some extra time to design and make something just because I feel like it. I made this little rabbit from wool felt and hand stitched the body.

She got some cute stripy socks and a lovely frock, both sewn on the machine.

I don’t often take the time to hand stitch something anymore but some things are worth slowing down for šŸ™‚

Wool felt donut tutorial

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List of requirements for 1 donut:
30 x30cm piece mushroom coloured wool felt
15 x15cm piece of wool felt for icing
Carded wool or polyfil for stuffing
Embroidery floss
Sewing thread
These can be sewn either by hand or machine. Machine will give a neater finish, but I have made them both ways.
Print out the pattern from here. Make sure your printer settings are at 100%.
Trace pattern pieces onto felt and cut out. This picture has a mistake! The top piece should also have a hole, I took the photo before I cut out the hole, sorry about that!

Pin the icing onto one piece of the mushroom wool felt.

Sew around the outside of the icing, either on the machine or with a running stitch or backstitch by hand to secure it.

For sprinkles, use your choice of embroidery floss (here I’ve used a variegated one by DMC) to make short, straight stitches randomly on the icing.

Put your undecorated piece of wool felt on top of the decorated one so that right sides are facing. Sew all the way around the outside (backstitch if you’re hand sewing).

Turn the donut right sides out so it looks like this šŸ™‚

Starting from anywhere around the centre hole, close to the edges blanket stitch by hand with a floss matching the icing, 3/4 way around. *Note – if you’re not confident with blanket stitch you can do either a small running stitch or backstitch. The reason I like blanket stitch is it looks extremely neat and leaves no holes.
When 3/4 of the way round begin to stuff. Poke the stuffing with your fingers to ensure a firm donut with even consistency right around. When you’re happy with the stuffing, continue to stitch around the inner circle until completely closed, knot and sink the finished end in.

Ta da! Isn’t that easy? Don’t you want to make heaps and heaps? 
If you need a wool felt stockist Winterwood Toys is my favourite.

Please respect the fact that I am the original author of this post, that I have spent time and care in putting together this tutorial and drawing a pattern to share with you. Therefore, I ask that you do not steal from me or fail to give credit. Thank you!

*If you have any trouble printing the pattern or following the instructions please take the time to let me know -I can’t fix it if I don’t know about it!

New baby knot dolls

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I’ve been making some more baby knot dolls, they are so cute and soft. I think I’ll enjoy making these as winter sets in, the wool warms your hands while the little face warms your heart.
The burgundy striped baby is already in my Etsy shop, which is surprisingly well stocked at the moment (well, for me it is anyway!)
And the blue spotted one already has a new owner…….

                                   The all important chomp test…………….  approved!

Baby knot doll

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The sale of a few dolls lately has allowed me to be a bit adventurous and make up some new designs. This is my first knot doll, you just have to see it and hold it to know how cute it is! There is a little bell inside for a rattle.

I’m so loving this Hilco knit, it’s mighty expensive but gorgeous to sew with. I’d love to be able to afford to make the girls some clothes out of it one day, I know it would feel beautiful to wear. This little one is in my Etsy shop now.

Looking back over this week it’s a wonder I got anything done at all. The baby has chickenpox (making a good recovery now) and the other 3 came down with bad colds.
There has been a great deal of tomato harvesting and cooking, breadmaking, and a first time success with yoghurt making (I’ll share how soon). There has been homeschooling, piano lessons, Ash Wednesday, breastfeeding and piles of nappies and laundry.
And amongst all this I managed some sewing!!

My giveaway ends tomorrow, don’t forget!

Until then…………………

Happy New Year!!

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How wonderful to start the new year with a fantastic storm and a good bucketing of rain! The garden is being gently coaxed back to it’s pre – heat glory and the birds are singing again.
My motto is – if it’s too hot to drink tea and sew, then it’s too hot altogether!

I enjoyed my week off from blogging and am looking forward to seeing what you’ve all been up to.
I finished this bear in the nick of time for Christmas, he is now snuggled in one of the girl’s beds.
He is made from lovely soft velour and stuffed with wool. I knitted his scarf from organic yarn. He’s really cuddly. A tip for scarf making for toys – sew them on, or you’ll forever be re – tying them!
I don’t tend to celebrate the new year, I think some people go a bit overboard. I don’t make so called “resolutions” either, but I do think it’s a good time for assessing and making new goals.
So.. I do have a lot of goals, hopes and dreams for this year, many of which I’ll be sharing with you along the way.
Thanks for reading šŸ™‚

Teddy bear

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I finally finished this bear for my son. Bearmakers – I take my hat off to you, this is much more difficult than I thought! I had numerous problems in the making process and was not in positive spirits when I finished. He is 13 inches tall and passed the snuggle test lastnight, so at least he’ll be well loved.

Wool felt rabbit

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Here is what I came up with yesterday, I would make changes to the pattern if I make any more. The kids were competing over who was to be the new owner, but the boy won out. Unfortunately the rabbit was declared “too stiff” for snuggling in bed with!I’ve been checking out the Duggar’s website, this family has inspired me for a long time, truly wondrous.I hope you enjoy your weekend in peace and joy. God bless you all.