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

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

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

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

Retro Boy Doll Clothes Sewing Pattern

Well those girls couldn't surely be having all that dress up fun to themselves! So we have to have our boys looking mighty dapper too.

Check out the new Retro boy dress up set.

You can now dress you boys (or girls!) up with their very own shirt, bow-tie, shorts, waistcoat and shoes.Well Easter is fast approaching after all and we want our little men to look smart and they certainly will in this little outfit.

You can buy the Retro Boy Clothes Set pattern from my

Webshop & Etsy Shop (instant download)

This pattern is a little fiddly compared to the doll pattern but honestly it's no harder than advanced beginner or intermediate level. Honestly doll clothes are so worth making, you'll be surprised how much your kids love them. How cute would these little guys be for your dolls looking their Easter best?

In other no pattern news I did fun 'behind the scenes' interview with Kid Independent this month which you can check out here. I love the site it's full of handmade, independent shops with dry goods  for kids. The site always has loads of great give-aways and eye candy a plenty, so lots of shopping inspiration for parents, Grandparents, Aunts, friends etc.


I'm taking a break from doll clothes right now and going back to some animal making but I promise I'll have more clothing designs in the future. As always I'll keep you all updated on any new pattern releases or updates.

Happy Sewing

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

Elephant Sewing Pattern

STOMP STOMP STOMP....
Here comes a baby elephant, to tickle you with his trumping trunk.

 

All floppy eared and wiggly trunked, this little guy loves to be cuddled, and why not he's a real sweetie pie. Although he may be loud, he's a real cool character and he never forgets a friendly face.

You can buy the elephant sewing pattern in my

Webshop & Etsy Shop (instant download)

Now we all know elephants love to be around their family so you can just sew up one of these guys, you have to make a whole herd! I'm seeing them now in all those lovely fabrics that I know you have in your stash.
If you love him feel free to share him on Facebook, Twitter or Pintrest and lets get a whole little bunch of ELF elephants from around the world.

As I mentioned last time on the bloggy blog, I now have a range of clothes and dress up pattern currently in design for the dolls, how exciting.  I will keep you all updated when I'm releasing anything, so subscribe to our feeds for any updates - you can find the links over thata way --->.