Summer Softie Series

Last week our family received the best news we've heard in the long time. My husband is cancer free! It's been a long, hard road and we are all relieved to have it in our rear view. With my hubby returning to work next month, I am now ready to get back to the work I love so much.

 I decided to jump into this wonderful summer head first, with a series of patterns based on a pet project I have been slowly developing over the last few months. The goal for me was to create a consistent, well planned release schedule that will help me as I get back into my groove. It will also be a great opportunity to improve on this blog with new tutorials as we explore different materials and techniques having to do with the fabulous world of softie making. 

 The Summer Softie Series begins the Wednesday, May 20th and will run until August 26th, with a new pattern posting each Wednesday.

 I will be offering a limited number of pre-order bundles for "The Summer Softie Series" in my Etsy shop. For $75, this pre-order bundle will include all 15 patterns (emailed directly to you the night before their scheduled release), access to an exclusive Summer Softie Series sew-a-long group, and at the end of the series you will get a bonus holiday pattern nearly a month before everyone else. This is an awesome deal and a great opportunity to build your softie skills(plus it'll be a lot of fun).

Remember there are only a limited amount of these, so get one before they are gone.

 You will of course be able to purchase the patterns individually as they are released for $10.

 The Summer Softie Series Schedule

5/20- Teddy Bear

5/27-Turtle

6/03-Owl

6/10 Puppies

6/17-Fox & The Hound

6/24-Skunk

7/01-Bunny

7/08-Raccoon

7/15-Kittens

7/22- Lion and Lamb

7/29-Mouse

8/05- Piglet

8/12- Bunch of Birdies

8/19- Squirrel

8/26-Hamsters & Hedgehogs 

I'm looking forward to a fun filled summer with you all!!

Designer Pattern Swap- Renaissance Maiden from Muse in the Morning

It has been a long time since I've sewn anything non-doll related, so I jumped at the chance to join in on the Pattern Swap. I had the privilege to try out Muse of the Morning's Renaissance Maiden Outfit pattern. I have to say, I was so pleasantly surprised by the ease that this entire outfit came together and the fit is perfect! 

Yeah, that's how we roll here.

I must admit I am not exactly the best when it comes to following directions or even reading directions, but this time I made sure to read thoroughly and do it right. It was easy to behave with this pattern, the instructions are easy to follow and not once did I look at a piece and wonder "what do I do with this?" That is actually a big deal, because confused and impatient is my most common mental state when I try to make clothes, so the fact that I managed not only a single item, but a whole outfit, is close to a miracle and definitely a testament to the awesomeness of this pattern. 

My favorite part was installing the eyelets, it was a first for me, so of course I was bubbling with pride when I managed to pull it off the first time. 

Lil is beaming in her new outfit and my boy's are now looking at me to get working on their costumes. I fear they might start expecting more planning ahead then my usual night before sew-a-thon, prior to our yearly Renaissance Fair weekend. To bad they wont wear dresses, 'cause I'd be set.

If you'd like to get your machine working on the Renaissance Maiden's pattern, Muse in the Morning has it on sale for 30% off now until the 30th!

Also check out the other swap participants over at Pattern Revolution and enter in the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Pattern!!

The Mama and Baby Otter pattern is now available in my Etsy and Craftsy shops!!

This cuddly pair of otters are a lovely project for both experienced and novice makers alike. Mama Otter is about 12" long and her Baby Otter is just shy of 8". They can be made with minky or fleece ( I used some super plush cuddle fleece). They are easy to assemble with minimal sculpting, which I show you how to do with easy to follow instructions and pictures.

These two are as fun to make as they are to snuggle!

Aside from it's obvious cuteness and it's beginner friendly simplicity, this pattern is a big deal for me personally. It's the first pattern release of 2015 and the first pattern release since my husband's diagnosis in October. It's proof that we are heading towards the light, that healing has begun and it symbolizes a lot of hope for the future. 

Yes, this a lot of feeling to put into such a small thing, but it's not so small when you look at it really close. When you look at the hours put in here and there between the chaos and confusion that became life. This project was my goal for so long and now it is here. 

Thank You !! 

Opposing Forces of Stretch

I had a Eureka moment the other day, quickly followed by a swift palm slap to my forehead. How is it possible that it took me this long to figure out? I've been making and designing softies for years and I'm sure in the back of my mind I knew this, but the fact that it took so long to bubble to my consciousness is a bit embarrassing. 

What is this revelation I am talking about? 

Stretch and the use of opposing forces to counter balance each other, thus making a well rounded shape easier to obtain then ever before.

Here are some examples of what I'm talking about (using the soon to be released Otter pattern)

With the stretch going vertical the head ends up quite elongated with a fairly large forehead. It also took a lot of squishing and careful stuffing to keep a consistent 3D shape.

* His missing eye is not a result of the stretch, but a great example of the importance of very small holes when placing safety eyes.*

  I ran into the same problems when I had the stretch going horizontally, but instead i got a really wide, squat head. Keeping a smooth 3D form was even more difficult with this one, as you can tell by the wonky shape of his head. 

With both of the examples the head ends up flat and it would take a bit of sculpting to get a decent round cheek shape.

Now if I cut the face (front) and the back of the head with opposing stretch directions, they work to balance each other out. This little change results in a much easier to stuff foundation and rounder, smoother 3D end product.

The vertical stretch in the back keep the horizontal stretch in the front from stretching to wide and vice versa for the length

.

I hope this little tid-bit of knowledge helps you in your future softie and doll making ventures. Keep your eyes out for the Tiny Otter Pattern set to release tomorrow April 14th!!

Overwhelming

  It has been six long hard months since my husband's diagnosis and my last blog post.

 This experience has taken more out of me then I ever thought I had and sometimes I feel completely drained. At the same time I find myself overflowing with gratitude and hope. It is confusing and exhausting, in general completely overwhelming.

  The great news is; so far it looks like all of my husband's treatments have worked. We haven't had the official scan yet, but we will soon. He underwent major surgery (12+ hours) in November to remove tumors from his tongue, floor of his mouth and lymph node. They also had to remove a large portion of his tongue, which they then reconstructed from a section of his forearm. I am still in awe of what the doctors were able to do for him. After about a week in the hospital, we were able to go home and heal before he began his radiation and chemo. His seven weeks of chemo and radiation began the week of Christmas.

   To say the least it has been a long dark winter, but it wasn't without it's bright moments. We have been shown so much kindness and caring, I could never properly express the humbling and gracious feeling that comes with being on the receiving end of charity. It may be a terrible situation, but we've been blessed with good people that have made it much easier.

  There is still a lot ahead of us, we are by no means out of the woods yet, but there is hope that one day this will be behind us.

In the mean time, I'm slowly working on new designs and soaking up any knowledge I can, as I hope to move forward as business owner. I haven't really had the time to finish anything yet, but when I do finally get there, it will be awesome.

Thank you all for your faith, prayers and well wishes. 

I don't know what I'm doing...

... but I'm going to just jump in and figure it out as I go.
That is pretty much how I tackle any challenge, this one is no different, so here it goes:

Twelve days ago my husband was diagnosed with cancer. He's had some very painful sores on his tongue for a while when he finally went in to get a biopsy done. Now, a few years earlier he had a biopsy done on some similar (though not nearly as sever) sores in the same spot and it came back clean. I honestly expected the same result this time,but that was obviously not the case.

 At this point in time we still have more questions then answers. We know our lives are about change drastically, we know there are tough roads ahead, but we don't know when or what or how. Not knowing is exhausting, but we're doing our best to take it one day at a time and trying to savor this calm before the oncoming storm.

 I do plan to continue to work on patterns, they are a very necessary therapeutic outlet.

Also, If you would let me, I'd love to share this journey with you all.

Thank you
Naomi

Sweetie Bear Part 3- Stuffing, Sculpting & Stitches

Sweetie Bear Part 3- Stuffing, Sculpting & Stitches

Start by stuffing the head firmly, fill the around the edges first. What I do is spread the filling from the center out with my fingers as I stuff, using smaller pieces also helps keep your stuffing even and smooth.
When the head is stuffed to you liking, wrap a length of extra strong thread around the

neck tightly several times and double knot.

Next mark my face with an erasable marker and get the cardigan buttons (if you choose to embroider the eyes do so now with a satin stitch).

To attach the buttons as well as sculpt start by threading your doll needle with extra strong thread. Push the needle in at the bottom of the head, near the now closed neck, then up through the face & out on the inside corner of the eye.

Thread the button, push your needle back in at the outer corner and back out at the bottom of the head.

Pull both ends of the thread until you achieve a shape you like and then double knot the ends together. Trim you thread and repeat for the other eye.

* If you embroider the eyes follow the same steps, but ignore the button part.

Next embroider the nose and mouth. I start with a standard teddy bear nose, then I fill the "V" in with a satin stitch. Little back stitches or a stem stitch works perfectly.

Now look at that cute face!
Set the head aside while you stuff the body, you don't need to stuff the body as firmly as the head, you don't want the filling pouring out the neck when you are trying to attach the head.

Attach the head to the neck opening with a ladder stitch, it doesn't have to be pretty (you will be doing a second round), but you do want to make sure you get a good hold. Now go around a second time, with smaller stitches and you are done!!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and I can't wait to see all your Sweetie Bear creations!

If you want some extra help with stuffing and sculpting the NimblePhish YouTube channel has a few helpful videos for you.

Thank You