Lavender Baby Tutorial

Template first

You will need a small amount of felt for the ears, fabrics for the face and body, and some plain light cotton fabric. My baby pattern is about 4" or 10cm high, but make yours as big or small as you like.

Cut a strip of fabric for the face (my piece measures 4"/10cm x 9"/23cm) and body (5"/12cm x 9"23cm) and pin and stitch together along one of the long edges.

Next cut a piece of plain cotton ( I used an old sheet), slightly larger than your sewn together fabrics and pin together around the edges.

This is my first tip - when making softies out of cotton fabrics, I always back them with a plain piece of cotton, this gives your toy more strength and avoids that lumpy look when you come to stuff it.

Next, pin your pattern piece to the fabrics and stitch all around close to the edge of the pattern. You'll be doing this for only the front piece of baby. 

Cut out about a quarter inch away from your stitch line.

Next, pin and stitch the ear strips in place.

Now flip your baby over onto to the remaining fabric so right sides are together, and making sure your head and body seams line up, pin and stitch together. Don't forget to leave a gap for turning. Sounds obvious I know, but I've lost count of the number of times I've forgotten to do that Goddammit.

Cut out and snip carefully all around for maximum curvability.

Turn right side out, stuff, putting in a teaspoon or two of dried lavender if desired, and stitch gap closed.

Baby should now look like this.

And now for my second top tip - shape the ears when your softie is at this stage, that way you don't have to deal with itty-bitty ear shaped bits of felt that are very tricky to pin and sew in place. Just cut a straight line to the length you want and then round off the corners. Simple huh ?

Embroider the face, add a little hair, and your all done.

Have fun.

And have a lovely weekend too.

Comments

[Ruth]

how adorable and lining the cotton is a great tip. Thanks

[Juliette Lanvers]

You make the best free stuff!

Hi!
I gave you a 'You make my day award' on my blog.

I just love yours and follow it with delight!
Juliette
www.chickpeastudio.typepad.com

[Christine]

Thank you for sharing the tips about backing and the ears.
I would have embroidered the face before sewing, that's so much easier!

[mama k]

Thanks for the tute and tips!
I blogged ya here:
http://mamaknj.blogspot.com/2008/01/linky-love.html

[La C.]

Fabulous. We are at -4º F today, so I think now is a good time to practice working on some lavender babies.

[A.J]

Thanks for making my weekend beautiful!

[Jennie]

Now I know what I'll be doing tomorrow! As always I can't wait to have a go. Your tutorials are brilliant and so easy to follow.
Thank you!

[carol Eldridge]

very cute little baby....simple and sweet...such fun! please stop by to say hello.

best,
carol

[carol Eldridge]

very cute little baby....simple and sweet...such fun! please stop by to say hello.

best,
carol

[Angela]

Holy cow. This is adorable!

[Silvia]

Thanks a lot for the tutorial. It's so cute the levender baby :)

[Marcia]

Once again, a great tutorial. Thank you so much. I really love all the step by step photos. I'm a visual learner.

[Leslie]

Sweet! Thanks for sharing.

[Pina]

I've just made a little mouse with a help of one of your tutorials. Thank you so much! I love my little mouse and I published a photo of it on my blog today. Ok, I admit, he's got a bit too big ears but it makes him even more special because of that. Thanks again!

[tracey dawkins]

thanks for sharing your lovely pattern - such generosity!! can't wait to make one so going now............

[Tricia Sagen]

Thank you so much for your many tutorials! It's like a present every time one comes out! I appreciate all the hard work, thought, and time that goes into your blogging and tutorial-making and just wanted to express it to you! You brighten my day!

[aliena]

Congratulations!!!!!

[Biff]

What a wonder little baby! Thanks>

[Mean Mommy]

Thank you for sharing this! I was just thinking I'd love to make these for a couple of my friends' babies.

[Dee]

TOO cute! what a lovely little gift

Dee
x

[ellen Crimi-Trent]

love this, soo cute I will have to make some for my friends that are expecting! Your blog is wonderful, full of fun and inspiration!

Ellen

[Lara Gallagher]

I love it! I am definitely going to be making one of these with my eight year old daughter tomorrow. She wants to make our new baby a present and this would be perfect!

[Visty]

This is just in time! I am making some tiny little people for my daughter's first birthday and am planning on giving them felt legs and arms. What a genius idea!

[jona]

That is so sweet (I love the thought of having a little baby that smells like lavender)! Thank you for sharing!

[ei! kumpel]

simple and wonderful pattern! thank you for sharing fellow southwest crafter ;)