My little valentine. PLUSH LIFE® unfolds!

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Hello! Need some valentines? Print this “PLUSH LIFE® unfolds” original by Elaine Heigl Designs. Find PDF link and directions at the bottom of this post.

You have someone you want to give more than just a card? Consider giving a softie too! On this site you can find plenty of softie ideas for all levels of stitchers. Meanwhile hugs!

Sew be it! E

1)PRINT AND FOLD

Download pdf below. Set printer for 2 sided printing with no margins. Print on letter size paper. Once printed,  fold “I am” corner as shown. 

2)FOLD AGAIN

Fold as shown.

3)FOLD AGAIN! LAST ONE!

Fold as shown.

GREETINGS READY!

These cards fit neatly inside a 4 3/8” x 5 3/4” invitation envelope.

Click for valentine pdf download
UNFOLDS VIDEO

Sew the PLUSH LIFE®: a free pinafore pattern

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Today I have a little special freebie pattern for you to make a cute little pinafore and collar set that fits the PLUSH LIFE® animals and dolls. This is a super easy project for a beginner. Also this pattern is great for a seasoned stitcher to teach elementary sewing skills.

I hope you have been enjoying watching the family of my cut-and-sew PLUSH LIFE® characters grow! If you have made PLUSH LIFE® characters, you can dress them up by sewing the cut-and-sew printed fabric panels. If you prefer a commercial pattern, you can adapt 18” doll clothes to fit. The PLUSH LIFE® characters measure approximately 16” tall, and an adjustment in clothing hem lengths can often be all it takes to make some commercial patterns fit.

Want a PLUSH LIFE® dress pattern NOW? Here’s a free one to download, complete with instructions. Click link below for download and ENJOY!

Less that a fat quarter fabric is all that is needed to make one pinafore. Perfect for you quilters that have a stash of fat quarters. Perfect for Spoonflower fans that want to use fat quarters of wonderful fabric designs created by amazing talented designers on spoonflower.com.

The little flouncy pinafore is cute as is…or if you want to let your creative imagination go, trim the pinafore and collar with lots of lace and ruffles. Its so fun to have an excuse to shop the trim department at the sewing centers!

PINAFORE PATTERN

 Check out my collection of small scale prints for doll clothes at spoonflower.com to view fun fabrics of many talented designers. A fat quarter of petal cotton is more than enough to make one pinafore. With some more yardage, you can add to the experience and make a matching outfit for a PLUSH LIFE® friend.

If you have designs at spoonflower that you think would be perfect for doll clothes let me know and send me a link, so I can include your surface art in the collection.

SEW SILLY!

Sew 18″ doll clothes: repurposed fashion

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When shopping for 18″ doll fashion sewing projects, consider thrift stores, consignment, and discounted fashion as some unique sources to find some special fabric contenders. Below are just a few repurposed finds that were used to create special 18″ doll wardrobe pieces.

The pullover sweater made from a pair of leg warmers. The lacy skirt was made using a discarded cami top. The leggings were made using crew socks. (Click: Leggings from socks PDF pattern for a free pdf pattern).

 

Sweaters and socks are great to repurpose to 18″ clothing. For a most realistic 18″ doll sweater, seek lightweight (fine gauge) sweaters. On a recent visit to a thrift store I shopped through a sea of choices!

Strategic placement of the pattern can make use of  the sweater textures and give a realistic look to doll clothing.

 

Tip: Iron on featherweight knit interfacing can make sewing with knits easier for a beginner stitcher.

Iron on feather weight knit interfacing applied to wrong side of sweater knit.

 

Below are twin sets made using Simplicity 8072. The green cardigan is made from a fine gauge sweater from a thrift store. The black and white dot t-top is made from a pair of socks!

 

Before you discard fashion pieces from your closet, consider making them into doll clothes!

For some additional tips on sewing a mini wardrobe, check out this earlier post: Success Tips for sewing 18″ doll clothes.

SEW EASY mini pin cushion

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SEW EASY ONE PIECE PATTERNS

Sew up cute little pincushions! This quick and easy sewing project is perfect for a brand new stitcher to take a sewing machine for a little spin! If you are an experienced stitcher, this is a nice little project to introduce sewing to someone who is curious to start.

To begin this project, download the pdf pattern with instructions, and gather some fabric scraps. You just need some basic tools and equipment to start sewing. This project also can be easily stitched by hand.

 

pincushion pattern
If you enjoy one piece patterns for a quick sew or for mentoring a new stitcher, check out the SEW EASY bow tie clip for another project.
WHAT INSPIRED EASY SEW ONE PIECE PATTERNS

If you are a customer or designer of Spoonflower.com, such as myself, you often want to order a fabric 8″ square test swatch to proof the colors and quality of a design. These little squares can accumulate into a bit of a stack over time. Inspired by my test squares, I decided to create some little “useful” patterns that fit within those squares for Spoonflower fans to use.

 

If you are a seasoned stitcher, beginner or just curious about sewing and fabrics, check out spoonflower.com. Perhaps order some fabric test swatches there and sew up some of these little bow ties and pincushions. Nice as mini surprise gifts. Enjoy!

SEW AND SEW! E

 

 

 

Sew a sweet bow tie clip

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SEW EASY ONE PIECE PATTERNS

Sew up cute little clip on bow ties for a girl, her doll, or stuffed animal. This quick and easy sewing project is perfect for a brand new stitcher to take a sewing machine for a little spin! If you are an experienced stitcher, this is a nice little project to introduce sewing to someone who is curious to start.

To begin this project, download the pdf pattern with instructions, and gather some fabric scraps. You just need some basic tools and equipment to start sewing. This project also can be easily stitched by hand.

 

Bow tie pattern

Inspired!

If you are a customer or designer of Spoonflower.com, such as myself, you often want to order a fabric 8″ square test swatch to proof the colors and quality of a design. These little squares can accumulate into a bit of a stack over time. Inspired by my test squares, I decided to create some little “useful” patterns that fit within those squares for Spoonflower fans to use.

 

If you are not familiar with spoonflower.com, it is a print on demand fabric and wallpaper source where many independent designers list their surface art available for anyone to purchase. Check it out! A lot of amazing talent there!

At my Spoonflower shop I started out with cut-and-sew PLUSH LIFE® animals and their clothing. Super easy for a beginner’s sewing experience. Sew one up for a special friend or occasion. Perhaps treat a cut-and-sew panel to a sewing hobbyist. 

 

On my Spoonflower adventure I’ve also been having fun designing sweet mini prints scaled for dolls and stuffed animals. With these prints you can sew matching outfits for the cut-and-sew animals and their people friends.

 

If you are a seasoned stitcher, beginner or just curious about sewing and fabrics, check out spoonflower.com. Perhaps order some fabric test swatches there and sew up some of these little bow ties. Enjoy!

SEW AND SEW! E

 

Print on Demand cut and sew fabric panels

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SIAMESE KITTY

Cut-and-sew fabric panels are a great way to quickly sew up an adorable animal or doll! 

With merely one fat quarter fleece fabric panel you can make a sweet bear, cat or doll blank. Want to dress them up? Fat quarters to make clothing are also available. 

View and order my cut-n-sew panels and unique fabric designs at the print-on-demand source, Spoonflower.com.  

For thorough information about purchasing and ordering cut-and-sew projects: Click here 

Your hand-made gift will be treasured!