Vous êtes sur la page 1sur 13

Tutorial: Baby Toy - Stuffed Giraffe http://craftinit.blogspot.com/2011/03/tutorial-baby-toy-stuffed-giraffe.

html
Little Squeaker

I made this stuffed giraffe toy for my friend's baby, Daphnie (due in May)! You'll have to bear with me on this tutorial. I didn't have a pattern or any instructions. I had to just figure it out... (which is the best part for me). Materials

Fabric in colors that you like: I used a flannel print and a "minky" soft white. About 7" x 12" of each (depending on the size of your pattern) - basically the length and width of your pattern plus at least 1/4" on each side. Matching thread Coordinating Ribbon (for tabs that make up the "mane" and "tail") Stuffing Squeaker (you can buy these on Amazon.com - they are usually sold as replacements for pet toys)

Equipment

Sewing machine or needle and thread Pencil and paper / cardboard for template Tailor's chalk Permanent marker Scissors

Pins

Instructions Ok, so I couldn't find a pattern online so I drew one up and I've scanned it as a PDF file for you to print here. I would recommend printing it in black and white so you don't use all of your ink to print the background color. Click here for my Giraffe Pattern You can create your own pattern or try to find one online Once you like your pattern, cut it out and trace it onto some heavier paper or cardboard for a template. (I like to use left over file folders for templates. Use a thick marker to trace the pattern.

At this point you have the option of drawing an outline at 1/4 inch around your pattern, and trying to sew 1/4 of an inch in... which I tried, but decided it wasn't going to turn out right... so instead, I decided to cut the pattern down to a rectangle with at least 1/4" on all sides.

Then cut out both sides of the fabric to match the (rectangle) shape of your pattern.

After you have your fabric cut out, you can cut out your pattern around the outline.

Cut out three strands of ribbon that each measure 3 inches for the "mane" and two strands that each measure 2 inches for the "tail"

Run the ribbon edges over a flame to stop fraying. (This is optional for the "mane" since you will be sewing the edges inside the seam of the giraffe, but it keeps the project neater while you work on it). This is not optional for the tail pieces unless you fold them over as well.

Now lay your fabric face down. (You'll only need to do this on one piece, so pick the one that's easier to mark on). Using some tailor's chalk or other fabric marking utensil, draw an outline of your pattern onto the fabric. Try to leave at least 1/4" of excess fabric on all sides.

I now realize that the following step, using a permanent marker, could be eliminated and could be done when you flip the fabric over... but I'll show you how I did it anyway. Layout your ribbon and figure out where you're going to want them to lay. I like for the tail to cross over.

Now take a permanent marker and put small dots or dashes under the point where your ribbon will lay. Make sure the mark is on the outside of the pattern line and that it bleeds through to the other side, but not so much that it bleeds onto the inside of the pattern.

Now turn your fabric over and using the light from a window hold up your fabric to see where your pattern line is. Align your pattern with the line you drew on the back (it will be flipped over). Now lightly draw the pattern onto the front of the fabric. You don't have to draw the entire thing. The important part here is where the "mane" and "tail" will lie.

Pin your "mane" and "tail" ribbons onto the fabric using your permanent marker dots as a guide... Or... if you eliminated the marker you could now figure out where you want the mane and tail to lie and simply pin them there. You'll want the loops to face the inside and the raw edges to face the outside of the pattern. Make sure that they each overlap the line at the same measurement. I think mine overlapped at 1/2", but I'm not sure. The amount of space from the seam line you drew to the end of the loop will equal the length of the loop when you're done.

Now sew the ribbons in place using about a 1/4" seam allowance. You are basically just sewing these on so that they don't move when you remove the pins and begin sewing the main project.

This is what it will look like after you sew on the ribbon

Slide the pattern over the ribbon to show how it will look when it's flipped over:

Pin your fabric pieces together right sides together. Make sure that your "mane" and "tail" ribbons are not folded over and lie flat.

It's a good idea to test your stitching along the scrap edge to make sure that your thread tension is right and that your bottom fabric won't get caught in the feed dogs.

Before you begin stitching all the way around, mark off about 2" of space along the pattern that you won't sew together for turning inside out and stuffing.

Take out all of your pins and cut close to your seam.

Turn the giraffe right side in through the 2" hole that you left.

Use a marker or pen to push the ears and horns out

Stuff with stuffing

Insert a squeaker

Hand sew (blind stitch works best) to finish.

TADA!

(Please don't ask for orders on this one. It's flattering, but I don't have enough material and can't purchase it in bulk... plus it takes too much time to ask a reasonable price). I may eventually add some to Etsy.

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi