Tuesday 14 May 2013

Pug Dog Sewing Pattern

Our 6 year old Evie is obsessed with pugs and has been for the last two years. Whenever we enter a family discussion about the possibility of getting a dog she is insistent that we get a pug. I don't think we are quite ready to let her have her own dog just yet but I promised her I would make her a little pug softie if she helped me design it. So off she set with her pens and got scribbling and this is how she wanted her pug toy to look.


So I set about refining the drawing and creating it into a pattern to make her dog. After a few drafts we finally had the finished toy and Evie already decided that he was a little boy and called Peanut Butter!

 

I was a little indecisive about whether I would release this pattern as part of the Elf Pop range as it's a little different to the other patterns I have available and unfortunately the clothing patterns will not fit his tubby little tummy and stumpy legs (although I'll let you know how to adjust the new skirt pattern so it can be used for the pug too). However I thought perhaps it would be nice to introduce a few different designs and also I've had a few customer requests for a pug too.
I've decided that since Evie actually designed the toy, that for every pug pattern that sells she can have the money to save up. She has informed me that she is going to save for a pug puppy. I don't think she quite grasps how expensive they are but I figured that as it would take her at least a few years do so this she will (a) be older and more responsible to actually care for a dog or (b) have lost interest in them altogether yet have a little bit of savings for when she's older.


Want to win a copy? Then enter here
 
You can buy the pug dog toy sewing pattern from my
Webshop & Etsy Shop (instant download)

If you are making it for a child who is older than three or an adult then I'd recommend using some plastic toy safety eyes as I think it would give a more realistic look to a pug and their little sticky out eyes. I love toy safety eyes because they are perfect if you aren't comfortable with painting or embroidery, however please don't use them if there is a possibility they will be gummed by a small child or chewed by a pet as they can be a choking hazard.


I hope you like this pattern and if you make any of these little tubby pups then remember to show them off, or if anyone has a real life pug and can take a photo of the dog next to a finished pug toy, it would literally make Evie's (and my) year. 

Oh and one last thing, my apologies for the delay with the boy freebie, I got a bit carried away with this pattern and so i'll be working on it over the next few days and will have it available by next week so rememeber to keep an eye out for any news on a release date.

Happy Sewing
Raynor x

Thursday 9 May 2013

FREE PATTERN: Simple Doll Skirt

Yay, the very first Elf Pop Freebie has arrived! I'm going to share the instructions on how to make your very own simple little skirt for your girly dolls. These are super quick to make and can be whipped up in about 20min. Have an off cut of a fat quarter you've had stashed away but never found any use for? Or how about another excuse to add to your repertoire when questioned 'you're buying more fabric?', well yes darling little Sarah needs at least 10 new skirts for her dolly.




These are the skirts I've whipped up for my girls dolls, they even chose their own fabric. Amber and Violet  are kindly modelling them for me.

 
For this skirt  I used the Light Pink Bo Peep & Miss Muffet from the Nursery Rhymes Collection by Vita Mechachonis which was a medium pattern print. By the way this Violet doll is another version I made to possibly replace the original Violet doll? What do you guys think, change to this one or keep the old verison?
NB Just as a side not if I ever update any of my patterns I will always make the newer version available free to those who have purchased the original prior to the update.




For this white skirt modelled by Amber I used Princess Kingdom Natural by Alexander Hendry which was a large pattern print-(probably a little too large for this pattern but would look so sweet as a child's skirt.

These skirts are perfect for dressing up your little dolls as well a fun way to provide some manual dexterity for little fingers. Be warned your little girls will want you to make as many of these as possible and they will change them often, and they will still fight with their sister over which skirt belongs to whose doll (or maybe that's just my girls?)

So you want to make one right? Click below to access the free pattern (PDF file)




I hope you enjoy making these little skirts and as always I want lots of photos sent in the me or the Facebook page please I want to see all those lovely fabrics.

Oh and before I forget, this freebie is one for the girls but I'll be releasing a boy themed freebie within the next week so remember to look out for any updates on the boys freebie.

Happy sewing everyone
Raynor x

Monday 6 May 2013

Disapeppered

Peek-a-boo where are you?
Hello all, my apologies for being a bit missing in action for the last month. Since starting up Elf Pop last June I have tried to build up a good selection of patterns which would be available before this time come. 'This time?' I hear you say like as I write my cryptic gibberish! Well as some of you may know in my non sewing life I'm also a student midwife who is currently on a gap year from my studies. Well actually it's a gap two years as one of those was maternity leave and then an optional year out on top.  At the start of this month I had my recommencement meeting with my course tutor and I'm to return to my course on 17th June only 6 week away - eek!

Although I'm excited to get back into the swing of all things midwifery it means that I now have very little time to create new patterns.The majority of my day is now taken up by my study timetable in an attempt to ease myself back into revising the vast number of lectures which have been stored away in my brain somewhere for the last few years. Although I don't have much time to create new patterns I will always have time for any one who purchases one of my patterns, whether it's to say 'hello', show me some finished toys or assist with any queries you may have so please don't ever feel like you are bothering me by getting in touch because it gives me a chance to focus on something else other than studying!

Even though things have slowed down at bit at Elf Pop HQ I just want to say that I will be releasing more patterns in the future they will just not be as regular as they have in the past. I have a few ideas for new patterns in the sketch stages and will always keep you updated with any news or upcoming releases. Which brings me to the news that I will be releasing a little freebie (or two) in the next week as a thank you for you ongoing support to Elf Pop, so remember and keep an eye of for those.
Have a lovely week everyone and happy sewing.
Raynor x