Free Doll Clothes Patterns (I'm Slightly Obsessed)

If you're a Facebook fan you may have caught my post about these adorable doll clothes patterns that have driven me closer to becoming a "crazy doll lady".  I think it has to do with the fact that my 9-year-old daughter doesn't let me dress her up and do her hair. Anyway I fell in love with the Liberty Jane Patterns for 18" American Girl (R) sized dolls (available at Pixie Faire). I wanted to show how I used their free pattern for a "trendy tee" to make a tank dress. 

Sure, I can get doll clothes patterns from McCalls or Simplicity on sale at JoAnn for $1... but these are SOOO much easier than using old school tissue paper patterns for doll clothes -- I honestly prefer downloading/printing/cutting.  I have also found that the Liberty Jane clothes fit better. 

I made a couple shirts and tanks with the pattern as-is, and I just lengthened it by a few inches to make a dress. I made the bottom about 1/2 - 1" wider too. 

Sorry about my foot photo-bomb there.  

The best part is that I upcycled a shirt so I didn't have to do the hem! 

I forgot to cut the back in two pieces but it was better that way for a dress, so I just cut a slit in the top. 

To make it a tank top, just leave off the sleeves and double fold the arm opening.  Click here to see how I do tiny rolled hems.

Liberty Jane has a free dress pattern, and a couple more freebies if you sign up for their newsletter. The other pattern I highly recommend is the UK Holiday Top & Leggings (my version shown in the blurry photo below) and the Harajuku Skirt (not pictured):

By the way, some patterns are free all the time and some were free for a day. 

Are you a total nut about making doll clothes?  Go check out these patterns and you will be!

How To Thread Suspender Slides

You may have landed here because you were reading my "Better, Faster, Easier Way To Make Suspenders" post... if not, definitely check it out.  In that tutorial I am using the vest buckles commonly found at craft stores.  This is just a quick visual of how you thread the suspender slides that look more professional.  The slides that I use have prongs which might be different than other suspenders slides you will find -- I buy them from Crafty Munchkins on Etsy. 

Operation Burlap Placemats: 4 Ways To Sew Mitered Corners

Placemats are something I don't give much thought to, probably because I never use them. I have some red chargers that I use at Christmastime and that's the extent of table accessories at my house. My mom, however, uses placemats at almost every meal. I love that, and the way she always puts a large plate under the soup bowl or salad plate, which I usually skip because it just seems like more dishes to wash. I should take the time to do that more. She has been using these rabbit placemats for years and years, they are really thick sort of like chipboard, and have a wipeable surface. So I made her these to change it up a bit.  These are burlap and cotton wih mitered corners, very natural and kind of French. The cotton border is teal with gold flecks. 

Finally Found A Way To Sew A Narrow Hem (That Doesn't Make Me Want To Rip My Hair Out)

At last!  I figured out the best way to do a narrow rolled hem. I made lots of doll clothes for my daughter for Christmas and I was going crazy with all those tiny hems!!!  I have a narrow hemmer foot but it's hard to get started and I can't get a consistently even hem. I tried pressing the seam allowance and then rolling the edge in to the crease but my fingers are too big and clumsy. So it finally occurred to me to just fold and stitch twice!

Installing Snaps The Ol' Fashioned Way, With A Hammer

I'm not sure if "installing" is the right word, but here goes.  Different snaps may require different tools (for example, I haven't figured out how to put in a pearl snap without cracking it), and you can even buy snap tape... but I put in snaps the ol' fashioned way.  I have tried that plier/hole punch looking tool but I couldn't get the snap to align properly. I bought the package of snaps at Wal Mart that comes with the tool, and now I buy snaps in bulk but I still use the same tool.  I put snaps in my Irish flat caps, so that is what you will see in the examples.

Calling All Nerds: Captain America USO Girl Costume

An old highschool friend of mine requested that I make this USO Girl costume as a surprise for this his wife.  Awwwwwww!  Apparently they are comic book... enthusiasts (I didn't say nerds). I've never done anything like this, but I did a little research and took on the challenge. Here is the picture he sent me, which is displayed much more nicely than mine:

How To Make A Pre-Tied Bow Tie For Babies and Kids

I started making suspenders and bow ties to go with the flat caps I sell on Etsy, they are so perfect together! I took some pictures to show how I make bow ties, step by step.  I watched several tutorials and used the method from the video below, with my own measurements for kids and a couple extra tricks of my own.  It's a long video but his accent is just lovely :)

The Ridiculous Patent on Sensory Blankets & Toys (and How to Make Your Own!)

>>> Loopy Blanket Giveaway is over! <<< 

I will pick a FOLLOWER at random on 12/17/13.  The winner will be announced in a new blog post so make sure to "Activate" your subscription and check your Inbox!  To enter, use the box in the sidebar or follow this link: Subscribe to Coconut Love by Email  

.....

I admit, even though it's been a year this still gets me all riled up. Let me start at the beginning... Once upon a time I opened an Etsy shop and I listed some loopy blankets and toys that so many people sell. One day I received a message via Etsy from a third-party legal representative informing me that I was in violation of copyright infringement, or something to that effect.  Apparently one of the big toy manufacturers patented sewing ribbon loops or anything like it in the seam of a a blanket, like this:

And toys, like this:

Now I think this is the silliest thing I have ever heard.  It's almost like putting a patent on the way you put in a zipper or finish a seam.  It's a technique.  But far be it from me to fight The Man or find a loophole (hahaha no pun intended!) so I complied like a good shop owner and took the listings down.  That was before I found my niche in baby flat caps (plus there are SO many Etsians selling blankets that is is hard to compete).   I'm over it.

But I want to show you how easy they are to make - it's a great beginner project.  I'm actually going to cheat and give you links to a couple of my other posts.  Follow the directions to make a regular minky blanket.  It's doesn't have to be minky and cotton:  I recommend at least one side be minky, flannel, ultra cuddle or something soft, and the other side could be cotton or satin (or make both sides cuddly!).

After you have your fabric cut and before you sew the layers together, make ribbon loops (just fold the ribbon in half) and pin them around the edges of the blanket, but they should be facing in with the ends lined up with the edge of the blanket, like in my taggie toy post.  Here's a picture of how the ribbons go:

If you want more sensory-ness, slip a wooden ring or bead on the ribbon loop before you sew. Be careful of choking hazards and chemicals, duh.

If you like you can baste the ribbons in place on just one piece of the fabric before you sew the two layers together (like I have done in my picture), because when you sew the blanket right-sides-together and the ribbons are in-between it's easy for them to slip out of place.  Up to you.  I like to triple stitch the ribbons since they will be tugged on.

I have to say to be careful with loops.  Once, in her sleep, my daughter got her finger twisted in the loop of a bow around her teddy's neck ALL NIGHT which could have been pretty serious.  If you just want ribbons sticking out instead of loops, here's a cool tip:  To keep the ribbon from fraying, quickly run the flame of a lighter across the ends and it will melt and seal the edge.  This would be a cute way to make an animals tail or doll hair too.

You can sew other trims in a seam the same way (in-between the layers, raw edges aligned), like ruffles or the rope and fringe on my cowboy & cowgirl blankets:

That's how easy it is to make your own taggie blanket!

Since I can't legally sell the airplane one that I made, I'm giving it away!  I already have a minky blanket giveaway going on so follow Coconut Love on Blogger or Facebook for details on how to win this airplane loopy security blanket a little later on...  The contest is on...

This airplane blanket is a small, security blanket size taggie with ribbon loops on one edge.  It has minky on one side, and it's perfect for the carseat, peekaboo and traveling everywhere with your little guy.  

To enter, subscribe to receive Coconut Love posts by email (in the side bar)  or click here:

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Don't worry, I only post about once a week so I won't clog up your email :)

I will pick a follower at random on 12/17/13 and announce the winner via new blog post, so make sure to "Activate" your subscription and check your Inbox to see if you won.  If you like you can always leave a comment to let me know that you're following.

Thanks for visiting!

New Toy! Fabric Tube Turner

Remember my post about using two pencils to turn fabric tubes? And how I mentioned that I wanted a tool I saw on Sew It All (PBS) that looked like curved scissors/tongs?  Well my dearest mommy got them for me for my birthday - yippee!  And here's how it works:

Zipper Lunch Box Tutorial

I think I spent twice what a store-bought lunchbox would cost, but at least my daughter got to customize the fabrics and I got to try something new!  I was hoping for some cute oilcloth or cotton laminate for the inside, but JoAnns selection was lacking so I tried Pellon Vinyl Fuse with some home decor cotton instead. My daughter was very specific in the style she wanted which it so happens is a pretty classic lunchbox (as opposed to a bag style like my Cowboy Velcro Lunch Sack). I based the dimensions (8 x 5.5 x 5.5") on this promotional Oakland A's freebie that we have that fits her reusable sandwich box, thermos (we do soups and chili a lot) and a bottle of water perfectly.

Flag Banner From Home Dec Fabric Swatches

Recently JoAnn started selling all their home dec swatches for $1-2, and I snatched up enough to make some flag banners for the big party that I threw for my moms 60th.  (I also used them to make pillow covers).  It took me a while to warm up to the whole bunting trend, but since I was trying to create a French "style" to the party without all the Eiffel Tower and other obvious themed decorations, I thought this was a good way to achieve that.  La Nebbia winery had lots of great places to string up all three banners, but of course I only got one photo in the craziness of the day.

Repurpose Gym Shorts Into A Backpack-Style Drawstring Bag

When your son goes out of his way and asks you to make him something, you stop everything and do it. Not because he's got you wrapped around his little finger, but because there aren't many opportunities to sew for a teenage boy. (I wanted to screen print a shirt for 8th grade promotion that said "I put the RAD in GRAD" which apparently is lame. At least he can be honest, and I can laugh at myself.). Anyway he asked me to make him a backpack. Um, a backpack? I said.  He meant a drawstring bag like I made for his gym clothes, but with straps that he could wear like a backpack, to use for the class trip to Six Flags Great America. I told him so long as the bag is used for good an not for evil, like transporting explosives (he is a good kid, but some kids brought fireworks -- actually M80s -- to his birthday party so now we are on alert).

New In My Etsy Shop - The Bryn Romper by My Little Plumcake!

This is another baby shower gift I made for BFF... The adorable pattern is from My Little Plumcake (an instant download found here on Etsy) and it was very easy to follow and make up. She generously allows the garment to be sold, so I'm excited to announce that it is a new addition to my Etsy shop! I can't wait to make up more examples in different fabrics... I have so many ideas brewing! (Update: I've added pictures of different fabrics at the bottom of the post).

Sewing For Baby Girls - Summer Bonnet And Ruffly Diaper Covers

After having my baby boy almost a year-and-a-half ago, I'm very excited to be sewing for my BFF's baby girl due this summer. I didn't sew when I had MY little girl 8 long years ago, so I have a lot of catching up to do.  Since this is a summer baby, I thought these prints with bright juicy lemons and cherries with polka dots were fitting.  I love how the reversible bonnet goes with both diaper covers so you get two different "outfits".

$1 JoAnn Fabric Swatch Sale: Make New Pillow Covers For $5

 

I had to do this quick write-up to go with a sale JoAnn is having on their home decor fabric swatches - they're just $1! Of course I bought several for a super secret project when they were $2 each - grrrrrrr (you'll hear all about the secret project in a few months). One way to use these swatches is to make pillow covers and update your couch, bed etc. You need two swatches ($2) and an invisible zipper ($3) which will cost around $5. Hopefully you have a pillow to recycle and you don't have to go buy a pillow form, otherwise this is not a $5 project. Sorry I don't have a nice photo of an actual pillow but I wanted to get this published so that you might take advantage of the JoAnn sale.

My (Better Easier Faster) Way To Make Little Boys' Suspenders (And The Tale Of An Etsy Copycat)

My best seller on Etsy is the baby flat cap. You know, the Irish hats that 90% of old men (and hipsters) wear - also called newsboy hats as well as other names. I made the first one for my son because they're pretty hard to find, which is why they've been selling pretty well, I suppose. They've evolved over time, and I take great care in the details that make them special.

I kind of prided myself on not being an assembly line kind of shop and offering all the same stuff in all the trendy fabrics (ahem *chevron* cough). BUT I love requests for custom orders and that is how I made my first pair of suspenders! They are so darn cute and go so perfectly with the hats... So now they are a permanent fixture in my shop!

How To Turn A Long Skinny Tube Without Special Tools

I hate turning tubes so much that I almost used potty mouth in the title of this post. It's those long skinny tubes (less than 1") that are a real pain in the arse, like when making suspenders or the neck strap of a bow tie which I have been doing a lot of lately. I bought one of those tools with a latch hook on the end which is useless and pokes holes in your fabric. I've tried the safety pin thing, and the trick where you sew some string to one end inside the tube and pull it to turn the tube... nothing has really worked for me.  I really want to get that tool that looks like a giant pair of scissors, do you know what I'm talking about? Anyway I've found a decent way that has been working for me with a minimal cursing. All you need is a couple of pencils!

Sew Your Own Reusable Drawstring Bags for Bulk Bins (or Gift Bags)

I made these drawstring bags for my mom to use for bulk bin items like nuts and grains. Since she gave me the idea to make these a while back, I knew it would be a sweet Valentines Day gift that she would appreciate! Since I'm using a cotton print, and not a specialty food-safe plastic or see-through netting deal, these also make cute gift bags.  Plus they're washable and all natural fibers (if you're making reusable bags then you probably care about these things)!