Archive for May, 2010
Knitted Tofu Character
May 30th
Ever wanted to find a good use for all those knitted sample squares you use to practice on? Here’s a great little tutorial from Bittersweet that is great for beginners to try out their new stocking stitch skills. And really… how could you not find the idea of knitting a tofu character unavoidably amusing??
All you need to do is knit the 2 square sides of the tofu character, then knit the front and back sections as one piece. Embroider any details, stitch together leaving an opening, stuff with a block of foam, then stitch up the remaining hole. For the full tutorial and knitting pattern please visit Bittersweet.
Use the finished product as a pin cushion, a cat toy, an ultra light paper weight, or just an amusing decoration.
Wild Mood Swings
May 23rd
I love the idea of escapism. When we were young and feeling isolated, it was so easy for us to escape into our own imaginary worlds to become different, to use disguises and to imagine what could be instead of what is. Kareena Zerefos is a fellow College of Fine Arts graduate who created this amazingly whimsical series of work. ‘Mood Swings’ take you back to the beauty of your childhood angst – her work is just gorgeous! You can purchase work from here from her online store.
Sketch your Own Softie
May 15th
There were many great things at the Finders Keepers Markets last week, and perhaps eventually I might blog about the ones that stood out to me. But one things that slightly disappointed me were how similar most of the creations were to eachother.
One area where imaginations can and should run riot is with the creation of softies which is why I love this tutorial from Handmade Romance, based in Melbourne. Her blog documents the process of creating softies from original hand sketches, including creating the patterns, embroidering the features and sewing it all together. I also saw this tutorial on Craftershock for the first time, and glad I did. I hope it inspires you to create something unique! The full documented process is available here.
PART 1: Sketch out characters – the more unique the better! Pick the best and draw these characters to finished size. Trace over each pattern piece using tracing paper.
PART 2: Choose fabric for each pattern piece. Pin tracing paper pattern on to the material chosen. If you have not allowed extra room for seams at the pattern drawing stage, then remember to do so here where necessary! Then snip snip snip!
PART 3: If your softie needs any hand embroidery, then do it now. Place tracing paper of the features on top of the fabric and embroider through both. Tear away the tracing paper. Stitch on other extra details such as patches, mustache, hair, etc.
PART 4: All piece should now be ready for the sewing machine. Lay out all the pieces and figure out the best sequence to stitch everything together, depending on your design. Generally try to start with the smaller pieces or limbs (remember to sew pieces together inside-out!), sew these into the body piece inside-out, stuffing as you go as necessary. Leave a hole in the main body area, stuff and then hand-sew the hole. Hey presto!
Knitting for the Needy
May 13th
The winter is fast approaching – well atleast it is here. The mornings especially are particularily chilly so like many people, I’m knitting my hands sore trying to finish a cable knit scarf for my partner in time. But what we forget to remember sometimes is that there are people out there who are much more needy than us during these colder months.
Guardian Pharmacies have teamed up with the Salvation Army have a fabulous knitting program that we should all participate in. To help someone in need, start knitting some woollen clothing or blankets (sample patterns can be found here), then take the finished product to your local Guardian Pharmacy by 31st July. Go on, get knitting!
KupKup Land
May 9th
So the first inspiration that I’d like to share on my first post here at The Craft Army is what you can do with… felt.
KupKup Land is where the magical world of felt comes to life and all this was born from the creative mind of this crafty lady named Kima from Barcelona.
Combining felts with different kinds of fabrics and paper, Kima has also created a bunch of other adorable stuff like these petit pâtisserie…
…or these buttons…
Have a look through Kima’s awesome craft at her flickr or if you fancy to buy some of her pretty works head off to her etsy shop.
Kawaii Softie Owls from Moonstitches
May 8th
The Japanese make such kookie and interesting characters – and this ofcourse applies to their crafting. Moonstitches found a pattern for these ‘Kawaii’ owls from a Japanese Craft book. I’d buy it too if I could read it!
At any rate, Moonstitches has lovingly taken the pattern and re-created these charming owl softies with their own linen and felt twist. This is how you make them…
STEP 1: Cut out Fabric
Cut pattern pieces (as per the image) including cardboard for the base of the owl, add seam allowances when cutting the fabric. Height of pattern pieces for this tutorial: 7cm and 10 cm
STEP 2: Sew the Belly to Back
Place belly piece on the body piece (side “a” of belly on edge “a” of body). Start at bottom and sew together, stopping before the tip of the belly part, leaving 0.5cm seam allowance for side “b”. Repeat with seam “b”.
STEP 3: Close Middle Seam
Sew middle seam, starting where seam “a” and “b” meet.
STEP 4: Trimming
Trim the seams where curved. Clip tip close to stitching. Turn inside out.
STEP 5: Prep for Sewing Up
Hand stitch along the bottom edge of the owl’s body in order to prepare for sewing it up later.
If you’re combining a rather thick fabric like wool with a thinner one like cotton or linen make sure to turn the seam allowances in direction of the thinner fabric.
STEP 6: The Beak
Begin sewing the beak from inside the owl’s body, secure the thread with a knot. Fold the tip down a bit, insert the needle and stitch what will become the owl’s face into place. Secure thread inside of the body.
STEP 7: Stuffing
Fill your owl to desired firmness, use small amounts of filling at a time. Sew up the body.
STEP 8: The Bases
Place the round cardboard base on top of the round fabric from step 1. Press fabric seam allowance around the edges of the cardboard to the center of the circle. Attach the base to body and secure the end of the thread under the bottom.
STEP 9: The Eyes
Sewing on a pair of buttons will make your owl see.
STEP 10: Finished!
You’re all done! Now all you need to do is make your new Kawaii Owl some friends.
Thanks to Moonstitches for the tutorial!
Coming to the Finders Keepers Markets?
May 4th
If you’re lucky enough to live in old Sydney town, then make the most of it and visit the next Finders Keepers Markets, held at the Carriage Works, Eveleigh from 7th to 8th of May. As usual, it will showcase the amazing contemporary designers and artists of the area. We’ll be there for sure and it’s FREE. We love free!
The Craft Army has arrived!
May 2nd
Welcome to The Craft Army. This is the all exciting first post for this new blog which aims to showcase the best in the ever evolving arts and crafts world. Week by week our contributors will bring you the latest crafting news and events, share with you their own projects, inspirations and patterns and will discuss emerging trends in this often under-appreciated field. This isn’t just a normal craft blog afterall… This is The Craft Army. It’s a revolution in the art of crafting!
