Lady Bug Sewing Pattern

So it has been a lovely summer here in Scotland with temperatures hitting around 30C (86F). This is probably cool for some of you guys but it's like a desert here in our usually freezing rainy country. So recently I've been very garden inspired by spending a lot of my free time outdoors with the kids. So I got to doodling and out popped this little ladybug. Well we actually call them ladybirds over in the UK but i think ladybug sounds cutesy just like this little doll.

This little darling is working those spots!

You can buy the ladybug sewing pattern in my

Webshop & Etsy Shop (instant download)

I can't wait to see what you guys make from the pattern, she seems to be a hit and I'm so glad you all liked her. So if you make a little ladybug then please send on  photos or post them on our facebook page and I'll pop them on the gallery page.

I've missed being immersed in my world of design and sewing whilst back to the day job. At the moment I have two weeks holiday until I start my last placement of 2nd year. Although  I have a yucky  essay to complete I'm trying to sneak in completing my new designs in between. I have an awesome little design coming up next which I'm working away on and hope to have out hopefully by the end on July or start of August. As always I'll let you know when I have any updates on new releases or sneak previews because I know how you love those.

Toodle pip for now

Raynor x

Retro Girl Doll Dress Pattern

 Hey little cutie patootie you're looking peachy keen!

Introducing the Retro Girl dress set, complete with peter pan collar dress, reversible cape and Mary Jane shoes.

 

You can buy the Retro Doll Dress Set sewing pattern from my

Webshop & Etsy Shop (instant download)

  I love the prissy puff sleeves, collar, bows and full skirts of little girl 50's vintage dresses and used these as my biggest inspiration for this set. I like to think of it as a 'tea party' outfit which is why i've used pastels and florals. I can't wait to see all your dollies in various prints and colour combos.

 I have been itching to get designing some clothing patterns for the dolls and had drafted lots of ideas over the past few months. I set to work putting my ideas into fabric, and one thing that struck me straight away is that making doll clothes is very different from making 'normal' clothes. The main aims for the pattern were to make it look super cute but it also had to be easy to make, and reduce the amount of fiddly seams etc. which come with doll clothing territory.  It took me longer than expected and 12 prototypes before I 'got it right'.  My girls were more than happy to work as little guinea pigs for testing how easy it was for them to dress the dolls themselves and it was a thumbs up approval from them.

Creating this set has reverted me back to my 5-year old self and I can't help but dress up all the toys in the outfit, it's so much fun. My 4 year old has already put claims to the dress for her own doll (bad mama, I've been promising to make her one for ages).

Now I've started the ball rolling with the clothing patterns I'm now starting to work on a Retro Boy Set. I'm keeping the contents under wraps for now to keep you all in suspense. As it's still in prototype stage I'm not too sure when it will be available but as always I'll  keep you all updated with my progress and any sneaky peeks.

Happy Sewing
Raynor x

Creating an elf tradition

Christmas celebration have finally started in the Elf household as we put up our Christmas tree on the 1st December every year. Recently I've been looking for people Christmas traditions and many of you may know about the 'Elf on a shelf' phenomenon which is sweeping over the USA. I stumbled across it though Pinterest and the numerous pins which give parents lots of great ideas of how to have fun with this little guy (or gal). Unfortunately here in the UK it costs £30($50) for the set, and although I love the idea, that was just way to expensive. I contemplated making my own and found great tutorial  here. However I received my 'apple' moment when I noticed the Elf girls had a few mini la la loopsys which were now out of action as their tiny little arms had been broken off, my 4 year old chews EVERYTHING. So I decided to give them an elf makeover -  the dolls not the children!

Jewel Sparkles and Cookie Crumbs before

I used acrylic paints and paper cover wire to replace their arms, however this clothespin doll arm tutorial would work too. In an attempt to have the elves look like the girls I attempted to make teeny tiny glasses for one of them using super glue and very thin craft wire and then sort of pushed them up the side of the dolls hair and stick in place with glue.

I had been discussing for a few days that Santa was sending some elves to the girls to investigate what they wanted for Christmas and to check if they were being naughty or nice. So this morning they woke up to find a letter which stated that they must show Christmas spirit for them to appear.

Once we put up the christmas tree I told the girls to dip a little finger in a pot of glitter and sprinkle it over a box and then to open it up, inside was the two elves.

I asked the girls to name their elf and Lois decided to call hers 'Ruby' as she had ruby slippers like Dorothy and Evie decided to call hers 'Candy' as she likes to lick candy canes!

The girls have been instructed they must not touch the dolls when they see them or they will lose their elf magic, and they believe they report back to Santa every night.

Candy

Ruby

Ruby and Candy are currently tucked away in a little knitted stockings hanging on the tree (you can get the pattern for the stocking here) ready to get up to mischief over the next few days! I can't wait to try out some of the fun ideas I've gathered, and i'll report back with some of their adventures.
Keep tuned.
Raynor x

Edit
I just wanted to add that if you like to idea of a lala loopsy doll instead of the official 'elf' doll then you can buy ready made Christmas/winter themed dolls  they are:
Holly sleighbells - looks like an elf
Mittens fluff and stuff- polar bear theme
Swirly figure eight - figure skater
Ivory ice crystals - snow queen
Pete R.Canfly - peter pan themed boy doll, looks elf like.

Or make your own doll using an Elf Pop doll pattern if you would like something a little bigger. I'd love to see what other come up with from this idea so send in photos to our facebook page or leave a comment with a link to your blog/photos so we can see.
Happy Elfing