D.I.Y { T-shirt Ruffles}

Tullula had this T-shirt that had stained sleeve and with summer on the way
I got out my tools and had an idea!





 I needed to get the sleeve's off.
unpicking it on the inside.







and the outside.
One off, one to go!






As you can see, I ended up using another material; blue clouds!

So I cut out my sleeve template.
and sewed a small hem on the straight edge.




Then I passed a thread for the gathering.
Folded the sleeve in half and put a pin in the middle as a marker as to where the middle is!




I then pinned the middle of the sleeve to the middle (top) of the t-shirt.

Right sides together, working outside in.



I then pinned the two ends of the sleeve to the lower part of the sleeve on the T-shirt. this way my work is anchored into place, and I used RED pins to do so, this way I know what they are!
The gathering only starts 5cm away from the end of the material, so I also added two pins (on either side) just before where the gathering starts, just to hold my work well into place!

Now I can pull on the gathering thread and place (more or less) the ruffle sleeve.
I did so with yellow pins!

And the sewing together starts!
I sew with my pins in place, just make sure the heads are well out of the way!


and the same on the other side and VOILA!

I think I will add this dragonfly Iron On piece to add something extra to the top!




If you too make this top, do forward me photo's of your work so I can display it here! (if you want)

P.S:I am in the process of making a more comprehensive tutorial for this; so as they say; watch this space!!

Sleep Tight/Awake Doll { DIY }

A friend lent me a really cool book "Made to Play!" and inside it there a tons of things I really want to make for and with Tullula!
So as today Stephen is at work and we are home I thought lets start with a little project, making sure he was leaving me the Jigsaw behind (I am taking a liking to the Jigsaw lately)!
So we made this little doll, I did add some awake eye's on the other side, so she can be either asleep or awake! 

You will need:

• Piece of plywood. 80mm wide.
• Some cotton material  of your choice for the bedding.
• Some paint or permanent markers.
• sandpaper
• jigsaw or hand saw.
• sewing machine or sewing needles.

Step One: Cut out the Doll template and transfer that onto the plywood.

 

Step Two: Get ready to cut out the doll; I used a Jigsaw!

 Step Three: The job I hate the most; Sanding! 

                      I used a grit 80, and a lot of elbow grease to smooth

                      off all the edges of the doll.

                

Once that's done, 

basically the doll is done and its time to make the bedding!

 I had a very enthusiastic helper!

Sewing:      

•  1- Sew 3 of the edges of both materials front facing each other.
• 2- This is how it looks once sewn, turn it all inside out so that the right side of the material is now in the outside!
• 3/4- Pin over the remaining edge, so it creates a lip and sew it down.
• 5- then fold over the blanket leaving a backing, so it creates a pocket for the doll to slip into. Sew all the edges to get a nice finish.

• OPTIONS : You can all a ribbon as to create a strap so it can be carried around like a little bag / You can add a little pillow for the doll and hold it in place with Velcro or a stud!

 The last thing to do it paint/draw the face...

One side asleep and on the other side awake!