Handmade - Part Two
January 03, 2008
You are good guessers....the puppy wasn't mine. That is the work of Anna Maria Horner - it's available as a download at her site. I did reduce it significantly to fit on the baby t-shirt. The rest were mine.
OK, back to the handmade. Did you wonder what those mysterious gifts in the muslin bags were? I made all of my nephews softies. Three got patchwork elephants -the pattern is in Last-Minute Patchwork Gifts and is by Hillary Lang of Wee Wonderfuls.
From top to bottom: for Kenan, for Declan and for Finn.
I loved sewing this pattern and can see myself making more. It is really straight forward and surprisingly easy to put together. I used corduroy for the bodies and cotton for the ears and blankets. I love how the textures and the fabrics are both patchwork. I wish I would have made the eyes smaller, but I didn't follow the pattern for that part. Lesson learned.
The other three nephews got robots. This is also a Wee Wonderfuls pattern.
on the left, for Evan, and on the right, for Ian.
for Miles.
I have made this pattern before and it is easy, too. There is more sewing involved than there is with the elephants and the embellishing can be simple or very intricate. I went with simple here. Miles's robot had his control panel sewn on the machine and I like it just fine although the hand embroidery does show up a bit better. Also, I had originally planned on making Finn a robot instead of an elephant, but I cut through the seam on one of the robots and had to remake one item. The elephant was faster so that is what he got.
That's it for the nephews. There is more handmade to come....I am saving my favorite for last.
What lucky boys! Softies and shirts are perfect gifts. Very inspiring work -- can't wait to see what else is coming!
Happy New Year!
B
Posted by: Becky | January 03, 2008 at 10:30 AM
What cute presents! I'm feeling inspired. Also, great fabric selections as well!
Posted by: Jade | January 03, 2008 at 10:31 AM
I love the robots my little guy would love it. I just went to wee wonderfuls and am thinking of getting the Olive dolls to make for my girl and my nieces. Are the instructions pretty easy to follow?
Posted by: Lisa | January 03, 2008 at 10:40 AM
those are crazy-cool gifts, erin! i'm glad to hear the elephants are fairly easy - just got that book and am itching to try it.
Posted by: kirsten | January 03, 2008 at 10:53 AM
I love the way you stacked the elephants in the first photo. Like a crazy circus trick!
Posted by: A | January 03, 2008 at 11:02 AM
I adore them! I have the robot pattern pulled out right now. Gunnar loves that your elephants look so much like his.
Posted by: Sarah Jackson | January 03, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Oh! The elephants! I'm not sure I have enough experience under my belt to properly do the elephant project, but the more I see them the closer I am to trying it anyway. I love your little guys!
Posted by: Lisa Clarke | January 03, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Those are all so great, Erin!
Posted by: beki | January 03, 2008 at 11:11 AM
such very lucky nephews!!!
Posted by: aprill | January 03, 2008 at 11:16 AM
all awesome! i'm itching to make one of those robots...
Posted by: meg | January 03, 2008 at 11:26 AM
ooh, i love that top elephant! the fabric on the ears is just too cute. i need to get around to making one myself. :)
Posted by: linda | January 03, 2008 at 01:06 PM
I got a gift card to the bookstore and that book is on my list. I wanted to make some robots this year but didn't get to it. I love how yours turned out and can I just say you have a lot of nephews.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | January 03, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Oh the elephants are too cute.
Posted by: Sarah | January 03, 2008 at 01:44 PM
these are great erin. i can't wait to see more. i hope i get a peek at the girls ponchos! i finished anna's and you were right, it was just fine, easy enough for a beginner to understand, but it also taught me a few new things.
Posted by: katie | January 03, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Those robots are way too cute! Love the fabrics you used on those.
Posted by: amyehodge | January 03, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Your elephants are great! I made two so far. Though the second one isn't finished. Yours are far better than mine. I might have to try some cord because I think the cotton I used was too thin.
And I love your little robots too! Adorable.
Posted by: AJ | January 03, 2008 at 05:55 PM
wow...you were an extremely busy one, weren't you? I love the softies.
Posted by: amandajean | January 03, 2008 at 10:14 PM
oh my! you accomplish SO much erin! are you sure there are not two of you? they are all sooo cute, but the elephants? i adore them!!!
can't wait to see what is up next!
Posted by: leslie | January 03, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Wow, Erin, know wonder you were so busy! What a huge bunch of fun stuff you gifted this Christmas. I hope you've been giving yourself lots of rest and relaxation time ever since!;-)
Posted by: Amber | January 04, 2008 at 01:26 AM
they're all so cute!
Posted by: Arizona | January 04, 2008 at 02:15 AM
I love the elephants! What awesome presents!
Posted by: Steph | January 04, 2008 at 02:17 AM
They are adorable. I had wanted to make some softies for Christmas gifts this year, but it just didn't happen. Hopefully next year. I'm going to get started now on them!
Posted by: Tracy | January 04, 2008 at 08:47 AM
oh man! look at all those cuties, you rocked the handmade gifts this year! I've been feeling pretty lukewarm about making a new pattern but I think you may have inspired me :)
Posted by: hillary | January 04, 2008 at 09:03 AM
Oh my gosh, these are fantastic. And I'm so grateful for the pattern review on the elephant--I have that book and would like to try the elephant--I work, so I only have time and patience for smaller, easier projects. This looks perfect. Erin, I love the fact that you sew for boys too--I get so much inspiration from you. You have a lucky family to get so much handmade love from you!
Posted by: Mary Beth | January 04, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Oh my gosh, these are fantastic. And I'm so grateful for the pattern review on the elephant--I have that book and would like to try the elephant--I work, so I only have time and patience for smaller, easier projects. This looks perfect. Erin, I love the fact that you sew for boys too--I get so much inspiration from you. You have a lucky family to get so much handmade love from you!
Posted by: Mary Beth | January 04, 2008 at 11:32 AM
OMG! Darling!
Posted by: suzanne | January 05, 2008 at 10:50 AM
The elephants are too cute!
Posted by: ali | January 05, 2008 at 05:40 PM
I am just so in awe of all your handmade loveliness! Did you get started in June, or what??? I think I'm just an inordinately slow crafter. You might just make a believer out of me though.
Posted by: Stefani | January 06, 2008 at 02:09 PM
I just bought fabric last week to make that wee elephant for my son, but now that I've seen yours I am re-inspired. I got three patterned prints for the three fabrics and was feeling overwhelmed by them -- I much prefer the solid body/patterned blanket and ears look. Thanks for the inspiration.
And those ROBOTS!!! On my list now, too.
Posted by: Julie @ Letter9 | January 07, 2008 at 07:47 PM
Wow, your color combinations, your pattern selection, so spot on. I adore your creations!
Posted by: Cece Marie | January 12, 2008 at 02:49 PM