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.
Geez, you are just the greatest. Thanks for sharing your pattern and your super tips! You have a good weekend yourself. :-)
Posted by: Sarah | January 18, 2008 at 02:56 PM
What a sweet little baby. Thanks for the tutorial. =)
Posted by: Steph | January 18, 2008 at 03:06 PM
Thanks for the tips. That little sprig of hair at the top is so cute.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | January 18, 2008 at 03:11 PM
Hum, I'dont speak english very well, but I'll try to sew this cute lavender baby ... (Grrrr I speak englisk like a spanisk cow...)
Posted by: Claire | January 18, 2008 at 03:20 PM
Thanks for the good little tips-like backing with cotton and the ear shaping tip is a gem. Who woulda thunk it? Only question I have is how to embroider the face--where did you put those knots, honey?
ps. please post more often--I can't get enough of Molly Chicken!
Posted by: theresa | January 18, 2008 at 03:28 PM
i think i might make these as gifts for the parents of new babies...i always want to give them a little something too.
Posted by: risa | January 18, 2008 at 03:40 PM
Thanks for posting this! So cute.
Posted by: Meredith | January 18, 2008 at 03:40 PM
ps-thank you!!!
Posted by: risa | January 18, 2008 at 03:41 PM
Too CUTE! Thanks for the tutorial!~~XXOO, Beth
Posted by: Elizabeth Holcombe | January 18, 2008 at 03:46 PM
how cute! I might have to make a new lovey for my daughter with this pattern. Thank you for sharing. :)
Posted by: Darlene | January 18, 2008 at 04:04 PM
How sweet! I know what I'm doing this weekend now :)
Thanks for showing us how to do this
Posted by: Christine | January 18, 2008 at 04:13 PM
Thank you!
Posted by: mariarrosa | January 18, 2008 at 04:30 PM
Perfect! Thanks :)
Posted by: Regina | January 18, 2008 at 05:25 PM
Yay, these are so cute.
I love it.
Posted by: seven | January 18, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Love it! So cute, I have to agree with Claire above though - the embroidery looks the hardest part! Any chance of a tutorial on how to embroider faces? x
Posted by: Donna | January 18, 2008 at 05:50 PM
i love your tutorials, they're like a good, well written book. thankyou
Posted by: hazeljoy | January 18, 2008 at 05:53 PM
Thank you so much-super cute!
Posted by: Sue | January 18, 2008 at 07:00 PM
Thanks so much for this. Love the tip about the double layer of cotton and the tip about the cute little baby ears. I love your site!
Posted by: dorkyquilts | January 18, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Oh, so cute!!! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Andrea | January 18, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Thanks for sharing your tutorial. I can't wait to try it this weekend!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 18, 2008 at 09:08 PM
Great tutorial, thanks for doing it, I know they take some time and effort!
Posted by: Cassi | January 18, 2008 at 09:12 PM
how cute! thanks for the tutorial!
Posted by: tricia | January 18, 2008 at 09:36 PM
Your tutorials are so great - fun, easy to follow and you make it all look so easy. Thanks for sharing your tips.
Posted by: Mrs Thimble | January 18, 2008 at 09:56 PM
I love your patterns!
They are simple, yet cute.
;)
Crafting genoius(sorry, I can't spell XD).
Posted by: Savannah | January 18, 2008 at 10:14 PM
love your patterns!
They are simple, yet cute.
;)
Crafting genoius(sorry, I can't spell XD).
Posted by: Savannah | January 18, 2008 at 10:15 PM
how adorable and lining the cotton is a great tip. Thanks
Posted by: Ruth | January 18, 2008 at 11:16 PM
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
Posted by: Juliette Lanvers | January 18, 2008 at 11:55 PM
Thank you for sharing the tips about backing and the ears.
I would have embroidered the face before sewing, that's so much easier!
Posted by: Christine | January 19, 2008 at 08:03 AM
Thanks for the tute and tips!
I blogged ya here:
http://mamaknj.blogspot.com/2008/01/linky-love.html
Posted by: mama k | January 19, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Fabulous. We are at -4ยบ F today, so I think now is a good time to practice working on some lavender babies.
Posted by: La C. | January 19, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Thanks for making my weekend beautiful!
Posted by: A.J | January 19, 2008 at 06:14 PM
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!
Posted by: Jennie | January 19, 2008 at 11:36 PM
very cute little baby....simple and sweet...such fun! please stop by to say hello.
best,
carol
Posted by: carol Eldridge | January 20, 2008 at 04:24 AM
very cute little baby....simple and sweet...such fun! please stop by to say hello.
best,
carol
Posted by: carol Eldridge | January 20, 2008 at 04:26 AM
Holy cow. This is adorable!
Posted by: Angela | January 20, 2008 at 04:32 AM
Thanks a lot for the tutorial. It's so cute the levender baby :)
Posted by: Silvia | January 20, 2008 at 06:18 AM
Once again, a great tutorial. Thank you so much. I really love all the step by step photos. I'm a visual learner.
Posted by: Marcia | January 20, 2008 at 07:33 AM
Sweet! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Leslie | January 21, 2008 at 12:36 AM
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!
Posted by: Pina | January 21, 2008 at 09:22 AM
thanks for sharing your lovely pattern - such generosity!! can't wait to make one so going now............
Posted by: tracey dawkins | January 21, 2008 at 11:08 AM
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!
Posted by: Tricia Sagen | January 21, 2008 at 02:26 PM
Congratulations!!!!!
Posted by: aliena | January 21, 2008 at 02:44 PM
What a wonder little baby! Thanks>
Posted by: Biff | January 21, 2008 at 03:27 PM
Thank you for sharing this! I was just thinking I'd love to make these for a couple of my friends' babies.
Posted by: Mean Mommy | January 21, 2008 at 09:31 PM
TOO cute! what a lovely little gift
Dee
x
Posted by: Dee | January 21, 2008 at 11:58 PM
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
Posted by: ellen Crimi-Trent | January 22, 2008 at 04:26 AM
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!
Posted by: Lara Gallagher | January 22, 2008 at 05:46 AM
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!
Posted by: Visty | January 22, 2008 at 04:53 PM
That is so sweet (I love the thought of having a little baby that smells like lavender)! Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: jona | January 23, 2008 at 04:35 PM
simple and wonderful pattern! thank you for sharing fellow southwest crafter ;)
Posted by: ei! kumpel | January 23, 2008 at 06:03 PM
Thanks for sharing! This baby is so cute. It is a great idea for a welcome to the world gift:)
Posted by: Laura | January 23, 2008 at 10:01 PM
ha ha ha ha ha ha.
that is all i can do after reading your last few posts.
love your un-resolutions!
your new york stories.
your confessions.
you are one cool mama!
msaims
Posted by: msaims | January 23, 2008 at 10:56 PM
Thanks Lyn! I just made one of these for a friend who is trapped at home with her 3 sick kids, (4 if you count hubby) guaranteed to raise a smile! I made a bag for it to hide in, you can just see the top of the head and hair poking out. V. Cool!
Posted by: margaret | January 24, 2008 at 08:23 AM
I love the smell of lavender. I put it in all of my pillows, too. Those sweet little booties you made are so cute! They almost make me want to have another baby...almost.
Posted by: Mary | January 24, 2008 at 06:41 PM
This is just so precious and so sweet!!! I love it! Thank you for sharing the tutorial with us! :) Also wanted to let you know that you're on my "homey inspirations" list on my blog!!!
:)
Kristin
Posted by: Kristin | January 25, 2008 at 04:59 AM
How cute! Have to make this...
Posted by: little-Z | January 25, 2008 at 04:28 PM
Mollychicken, can I please please post a link to your blog on my blog? I really enjoy it and I know my friends would too.
Posted by: Lizzie | January 25, 2008 at 05:56 PM
joy
Posted by: Tamara Marwood | January 26, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Mystic Meg tells me she sees many of these in my future! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Gemma | January 26, 2008 at 06:18 PM
I forgot to thank you for posting this - i know just the little bundle of mischief i'm making one for.
Posted by: Nicki | January 29, 2008 at 05:33 PM
Hi, just found your delightful blog! Was inspired to make this cute baby, thanks so much for sharing... I've posted mine on my site with links back to you for your wonderful work.
Cheers.
Posted by: Honor Bowden | February 03, 2008 at 09:23 AM
Thanks for sharing! I love your blog. Not only are you talented but say godamnit and eat too much chocolate. Pretty much my first two requirements for an interesting woman.
Posted by: Lotta | February 06, 2008 at 07:39 AM
This is adorable! Thanks for the tutorial :)
Posted by: softspoken | March 20, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Just wanted to tell you some news....When you first posted this tutorial I loved it but didn't even know my daughter was pregnant. Then she was ! - and on Wednesday I started making and gradually improving my finished dolls as my daughter went through her VERY long labour.Concentrating on sewing (which does not come naturally to me ! )helped to stop me being quite as anxious as I might have been, and your brilliant instructions brought about some very sweet dollies.I even gave her the pink one despite the fact that she had a little boy two days later. She loved them so much,so thankyou for sharing you wonderful invention and skill.I'm going to make one for me now ! Josephine
Posted by: Josephine | June 24, 2008 at 07:33 PM
Thank you for the tutorial :o) ... I helped my doughter (7 years old) to make one last weekend
Posted by: rosinha_dos_limoes | December 10, 2008 at 04:58 PM
Thanks for sharing these cute projects
I speak french so I can understand
Merry christmas
Posted by: Janine | December 24, 2009 at 10:54 PM
how cute! thanks for the tutorial
Posted by: Oyun Oyna | May 23, 2010 at 03:26 PM