More Bunting

These two bunting pieces were created in collaboration with my mum, she's an avid cross-stitcher so the designs are based around two cute samplers she had available.

Bunting

I went wild and created a bunch of bunting for my friends wedding, they requested that the bunting be creative and reflect the personality of the maker. Since there were no material restrictions I've made pieces using painted canvas, carpet, foam, duct tape, blind fabric, pinweaving and denim. I think I've got the crazy bunting niche covered. Below is a selection of the bunting I've produced. 

Swinging Spectacles

I whipped up this leather glasses holder super quick as a replacement for my father's old tattered one, I redesigned it to have a fastening flap to keep the spectacles safe when he's working and they are swinging about. I'd recommend making a glasses holder to anyone who has a habit of misplacing their glasses or an equally forgetful loved one, its especially good for using up fabric scrap stashes.

         

Ronnie Bear

The prototype of a bear pattern I'm drafting/designing - He's called Ronnie after my dad

Teal Teddy

The newest teddy in the collection. 

He's made from teal glazed cotton with hand embroidered seams and eyes (approx. 16cm tall)

Splat Bear Pin Cushion

I made this little splat bear specially for my mother

 (a keen cross-stitcher and fan of my work - naturally) 

He's approx. 3 inches tall. Made with denim and plush fabric.

Denim is great for pin cushions because it gently polishes the pins/needles as they move through the fabric. 

Feeling blue Teddy?

This teddy is one of a kind, made from a pattern I drafted myself and later altered. For some reason he reminds me a little of a clanger (might be because of his nose) 

Stuffed Shape Experiment

Following the ridged shell experiment I felt like exploring some more shapes and so Amba's toy collection has grown once again

Stuffed Shell

Another stuffed experiment, continuing on the sea theme I guess - mostly I just wanted to give the ridges a try... 

Sewing Snaps

In the midst of sewing...

Patterns - Ball Experiment

Continuing with my pattern drafting experiments I've constructed a roughly shaped ball, mostly I made it to see if I could but also so Amba could have a new ball toy...

Amba - after playing with toys

Stuffed animal prototype

This is the stuffed fish prototype I mentioned here, its a little worse for wear since Amba (a.k.a my mischievous puppy) got hold of it but I plan to make more decorative versions now that I'm happy with the pattern.

Amba - playing innocent 

Pin Cushion

My new quilted pin cushion, made using tiny samples of upholstery fabric 

Patterns - stuffed animals

A while ago I started altering various teddy bear patterns, making small changes to lengths and shapes that adjust the overall look of the  bear. Those alterations have been the stepping stones to drafting my own simple patterns, again I started with a bear but I've also been getting quite excited about other animals like dolphins and fish.

Its all very experimental and so every time I've made a prototype to test the pattern my puppy Amba has got a new toy. I leave out details such as eyes and use tough fabric for the toys/testers but eventually I plan to use the patterns I'm happy with to make more elaborate, decorative stuffed animals using plenty of interesting fabrics and nice finishes such as embroidery.

I might post up one of the prototypes later - if Amba hasn't playfully destroyed it by then...

Flat packed Teddy Bears

I've had these little bear patterns cut out for a couple weeks, I'll probably get around to cutting some more soon ( part of my plans to finally use some of the denim I've had stored for ages), hopefully I'll get round to making them even sooner - they're just like a flat pack: I have the fabric cut out, teddy bear eyes, stuffing, thread and other such equipment all ready to go... I just have to start sewing them, it's one of those 'never enough hours in the day' situations.

Splat Bears

5 Blue Splat Bears

Before you ask, I call them splat bears because they remind me of paint splats (especially the stereotypical clipart-type paint splats). I make these cute little 3 inch (approx.) teddy bears out of leftover scraps of fabric and stuff them with similarly recycled materials. ( Note: because they are not stuffed with child-safe polyester toy filling they cannot be considered as toys. But this doesn't prevent them from being really cute decorations, keyring attachments etc.) Due to the materials I make them from each bear is unique. Additionally, as you can see, I vary the design from bear to bear: some have ribbons and some will have keyring attachments. Also some splat bears have additional stitching detail ( like the ones on the right) and  I have plans to produce a few splat bears in the future with even more elaborate designs, such as embroidery all over their body and maybe even clothing items (bow ties?).