Freezer Paper Stencils: Robot Tees

Posted in Fabric printing, Free Tutorials, Stuff to make by

Handsman, this silver-painted robot with the high-tech egg-carton control panel, was constructed by my five-year-old’s preschool classmates, who are studying robots this month.  Handsman looms at over 4′ (taller than your average preschooler) and sports zippy yellow rubber gloves–hence, his handy name.

[photo thanks to Pauline & Amanda!]

To show my full support for robot curriculum everywhere, I decided to make some robot tees for my little guy with freezer paper stencils. Freezer paper stencils have a high fun factor: big on reward, low on effort. Here is the complete how-to. If you fret about drawing your own robot stencil, then download an image, print, and trace. To avert laundry tragedies, don’t forget to heat-set the paint after it dries.

Robot tees!

Liesl Gibson Crafternoon!

Posted in Brooklyn, Kids, Sewing, Stuff to make by

The New York Public Library (42nd Street) hosts a crafternoon one Saturday each month. The program draws some luminaries of the crafting world, and fills the room with interesting crafty people. I went to one last year with Denyse Schmidt, Heather Ross, and Liesl Gibson. Liesl taught us how to make little sail boat ornaments out of walnut shells, provided the supplies, and set us loose. On April 2nd from 2 to 4, Liesl Gibson will be hosting again and talking about her new book Little Things to Sew. I would have already bought this book if my daughter did not have a “secret” plan to buy it for my birthday.  I think she really wants the paper doll accessories from the dust jacket (pictured above), but she is genuinely pleased as punch with her birthday surprise (as am I).

There will be supplies on hand for participants to make something. The event is free, but be sure to arrive early as the events are really popular. I bet there might just be a raffle, too. (As a side note, I enter more giveaways and online contests than I care to mention. Ask me to comment for a chance to win some buttons and I do it. My compulsion has a sort of scary sweepstakes, coupon cutting, green stamps aspect to it. Does anyone else suffer from giveaway-itis?)

Squeaks!

Posted in Stuff to make by

Yesterday, my daughter and I were in search of a fun project, so we took a look through my copy of Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts. We found hand-drawn stuffed creatures and had to make one. We used wool felt in two colors, wool stuffing (which has a delicious sheepy smell) and some embroidery thread. First we cut out two pieces of felt in the shape of the body, made the ears (we added a small dart to give the ears a little shape), and made and stuffed the legs and arms. Next, my daughter drew the face right on the felt with a pencil and I embroidered the design. She cut out the tummy shape and I sewed it on using the machine. Then, we sewed the ears, arms and legs to the right side of the back facing in. Then, we sewed the front and back right sides together, leaving a hole for turning and stuffing. We flipped Squeaks right side out, filled her with stuffing, put in a little felt heart, and then sewed up the seam using an invisible stitch. We had a great time making Squeaks and were very pleased with the results!

Red and white quilt extravaganza!

Posted in Sewing, Stuff to make, Things to see by

As promised, here is more about the upcoming Folk Art Museum exhibit–Infinite Variety: Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts. Some amazing facts to ponder:

  • All 650 quilts come from one person’s collection! OK, that is just staggering. I struggle to find a place to stash our duvets in the summer, but perhaps Joanna S. Rose is not a New Yorker… I can’t wait to find out about more about this fascinating lady.
  • The exhibit is free.
  • It will be the largest gathering of quilts in New York City, ever.

So, people get ready. This is an exhibit not to be missed. (March 25 to 30 at the Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue, NYC.)

Gather Here

Posted in Boston, Knitting, Sewing by

I’m excited about this find: a new fabric & fibers store that invites you in to make something on the spot! Gather Here–located in Cambridge at 370 Broadway–is more than a store: it’s an urban stitch lounge, which if you’ve never heard of one (and I had not) is a community space with machines, supplies, and tables for hanging out, sharing interests, and creating stuff. The store also offers a Saturday morning knitter’s brunch and Thursday evening crafty cocktails, as well as classes in quilting, sewing, and embroidery basics.

After I shlep over today to check out Gather Here’s fabric selection–I’m headed for the Cambridge Public Library (the addition was designed by William Rawn Associates–and my husband!). Go sit in that hunk of a wood chair by the big window in the Children’s Room and read a stack of picture books–with, or without kids.