Lanky Lily Hair Tutorial

I wanted to expand on the hair tutorial that is included in my new "Lanky Lily" doll pattern for you. I realize the one in the tutorial is a little vague and I hope this gives you all a better idea of the process. I promise you it is very easy, once you get the feel for it.

To start you will need to place your pins, it'll look like your doll has a pin mohawk.

Now leave a good length of tail at the side of the head and begin wrapping a single strand of yarn around the pins.  

I like to go back and forth in a figure 8, wrapping each pin along the center part at least twice, but that will differ depending on the yarn thickness.

It's a good idea to tack down the sides at the half way point as well as the end. I don't use any particular stitch to do this, but it's important to make sure you catch all your loops with your thread. This area will be covered with the pigtails so it doesn't have to be perfect, but the neater you are the easier it is later.

To start sewing down the center hide your knot behind the hairline.

Sew down the center part using a back stitch, making sure to secure the loops as you go. When you come to the end knot your thread and tuck your ends behind the hairline.

Repeat the process on the other side. 

When you are sewing down your center part try to overlap you new stitches with the ones on the other side to avoid gaps forming.

To make the pigtails, first wrap your yarn around a book (or piece of cardboard, whatever's handy) several times, until you are happy with the amount you have. This will be split between the two sides.

Cut down the center of your bundle of yarn, lay it out and split it up.

Knot a length of thread tightly around the center of each bundle of yarn, making a long "pom-pom".

Sew the pigtails to the side of the head with small stitches securing the center of each to the side of head.

Trim the yarn to your perfect length and you are done!!!

If you'd like to give the Lank Lily pattern a try go check out the NimblePhish Etsy shop!!

Thank you and I hope this is a helpful tutorial.

Madame Dances!!

I'm new at making videos, but I needed to show you some of  DePoppets moves.

As silly as it is, this is pretty exciting for me.
Don't forget to go by Pattern Revolution's Designer Challenge and enter to win a free copy of the pattern!

Desinger Challange- Madame DePoppet

When I first heard about the designer challenge,  I jumped on it as fast as I could. I love jumping out of the box, and designing plushies offers so much opportunity to do so, but I knew that if I was going to stand up with these talented ladies, I was going to really bring my "A" game. I had to not just think outside of the box, I had to push my comfort zone completely and I believe I have with this new design. I had to give these critters a chance to dance!

This is Madame DePoppet the Marionette, my first marionette pattern, She is a lanky 16" tall and is made from both minky and quilter's cotton. Her pattern also includes an easy tutorial on building the puppeteering set up.

As my children were testing out my first trials it quickly became clear to me that kid' s plus toys on strings equal a big tangled mess and not very easy to cuddle with. This is when my husband came to the rescue and helped me figure out how to give her strings without being tied down. 

Madame DePoppet will be available at the NimblePhish Craftsy shop Tuesday after 2pm (Pacific).

Be sure to enter to win your very own copy by entering the giveaway below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cassandra and Chip

I've had my nose to the grindstone lately and I think it's time to come up for air, even if it's just a short breath.
I am quite proud of all my hard work and the newest patterns to join the NimblePhish family.
It started with Chip, then Cassandra surprised me.



What also surprised me was how much fun I had making their little clothes. I'm not much for clothing design, it just doesn't resonate with me the way softies do. This time was different and I see a lot of cute little clothing sets in the future for these two.

Little Voodoo Doll Free Pattern



 

Fall is hear and there is spooky wind blowing. Get ready for the haunting season with a creepy cute little voodoo doll!



To start download and print out the pattern template. Then gather your supplies. You will need:
7"x12" piece of fleece (fold in half across the 12" length)
Yarn Scraps
2 Funky Buttons
Embroidery Floss
Scissors
Embroidery Needle
Strong Thread
and you will need your sewing machine.

Start by tracing your pattern onto the wrong side of the fleece.
Sew around the whole body, there is a 1/4" seam allowance included (use it or you will end up with uni-leg).
Make sure you leave the top of the head open.

Cut along the tracing line after you sew. I like to do this when ever I have small pieces to sew, it gives me more surface area to control when maneuvering those little curves.

Turn your little buddy right side out and begin stuffing. Do NOT stuff the arms and legs. The little dashed lines are the stuffing stopping markers. If you need a little extra reminder use a safety or straight pin to separate the spaces.
With your embroidery needle and strong thread, close the top of the head with a running stitch pulled tight and double knotted.

Make a little pom-pom with your yarn scraps and secure to the top of the head, where your (now closed) opening is. I don't have a special stitch to do this, honestly I just loop around like I would a button until it feels good and stuck. Trim the ends and fluff it out.

Next add you button* eyes, use your embroidery floss here to add some fun contrast and color. Don't try to make it perfect, this guy is meant to look a little rough around the edges so have fun with it.

For his mouth I use a modified Fern Stitch. It isn't a perfect stitch at all, I like to just play with it. A line of X's would look cool too.

 

Give all your straggling threads a trim and you are done!

I hope you have as much fun as I did. This is a great project for kids to do and makes a amazing sugar free Halloween treat that you can make with the scraps you already have.
Thanks for letting me share with you!
Check out my other patterns at NimblePhish's Etsy Shop!

* If you are making this for little ones (under 3) do not use buttons, I recommend felt rounds made to look like buttons or embroidering the eyes.

It's a Monster Mash!!!

Oh I am having more fun playing with these guys then any mom should admit too. My boy's and even my daughter are all giggle and grrrrs when they see them.

I now have a serious hankering for candy corn and pumpkins!
These 3 guys will be up in my shop today as a pre-order 3 pack for only $15!!!
Coming tomorrow a fun mini voodoo doll pattern and tutorial, just in time for Friday the 13th, bwahahahahahaaaa!!!!!

Pattern of the Week

For the next 3 months, starting on Monday the July 22nd and ending on October 21rst, I will be releasing a new pattern every week.

I will have previews for each pattern the Wednesday before they are released and if you act soon you will be able to buy a "Pattern of the Week" subscription. This gives you all 15 patterns for only half the price, plus other awesome goodies. Check it out over at my Etsy shop!