Crochet: Amigurumi Characters

Its Never TOO Early

It seems to me that I am always trying to find a great, budget friendly gift for the kiddos for the holidays, but as the end of the year comes around it can sometimes be too late to start a project! Last year I made a goal to learn to crochet and so in January I started working on it. I started with some baby blankets which I gave away at baby showers and then I was on a search for a new project that I could make for my children.

That's when I discovered these little amigurumi characters! I thought these would be the perfect stuffers for stockings the coming Christmas. When looking around for patterns I found many books and ideas but I felt like many of the patterns out there were kind of funny looking creatures. I wanted something more traditional that could easily become a child's "friend". I purchased this book called Amigurumi by Lan-Anh Bui and Josephine Wan. I loved this book, it had so many great projects and the patterns were easy to follow! These are just three of the examples of the ones I have made. (Maybe if Brittany feels energetic enough she can post pictures of the ones I made for her kids)

Some things I did to save a little money were: 1-start early, you will have more time to find yarn at a good price and if you have some mess ups you wont feel too much pressure the get it done! 2- Use craft store coupons for all your products! I used coupons for the book itself as well as yarn, stuffing, toy eyes, etc. (That's also another benefit of starting early, you will have the time to collect coupons for all the things you need along the way!)

If you have any questions please feel free to ask, Ill try and answer whatever I can. Otherwise good luck with your homemade gifts!

Sydney

Garden Party Dress

 

 

Hello All!!  I wanted to share with you some cute dresses I made up for my girls!! Aren't they fun!?!  I am entering them into the Sew-Off Competition over at Naptime Crafters. I love Amy and all her cute patterns at Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop, and am so excited she has decided to start a sewing competition!! I am always scrambling to get on her pattern testing list, and have made it a few times, (too bad that doesn't give me an in!).  You have probably seen my girls in lots of her designs over at my personal blog!  You really should check out her patterns, great for all skill levels! Anyway..moving on to the competition..

So here's the story..

I bought this fabric a while ago because, well, it was just too pretty to leave behind!  Not having a plan, I bought a random yardage because I would find something for it.  I was so excited when I finally got to sew it up into a dress for my oldest...but there was one problem.  I had too much leftover to toss, but not enough to make my other two gals matching dresses (I'm a mom of 3 girls..we LOVE matching!), so I had to get creative.  I didn't want to make just a skirt because I never can find the right shirt, or with babies, skirts never stay in place.  That's when I ran into this pink knit in my stash, and right away I knew what to do!  Using some tees for a pattern, I cut out the tops and got to work on the skirt part of these t-shirt style knit top dresses!  (whoa..that was a mouthful!)

 

 I was thrilled with how they were turning out, and how easily they came together.  I've done a bit of pattern-making experimentation, and it doesn't always go so well, but this time was dead on!  As I got them "finished", I could tell something was missing, they needed a little "uumph", so back to my stash I went...and remembered that I had some darling scalloped elastic trim that had matching regular elastic for the waist.  How could I get so lucky?? I tell you, it was meant to be!!  I love the exposed elastic trend..it added just the right touch, and the trim made it just a little bit more "fancy." 

A little more close up so you can see the finishing touch details

And even more luck was to be had when I found the flowers for a great deal on PickYourPlum.com, and yep, you guessed it, just the right color;  And that's how the dresses were born! Perfect dresses that stay put, and no hoping the matching top is clean because its already attached.  I hope you love them...they are a favorite around here!!  I think this style dress will become a staple around my house.  Keep an eye out for a short sleeve spring edition (complete with tutorial) coming soon! (Taylor will be glad she gets to match all her sisters 'exactly' this time..)

So what do you think?  Do I have what it takes to make it into the "Sew-Off"??  I sure hope so! Fingers crossed, wish me luck!!

Just had to add this one too...isn't she a cutie??

Credit where credit is most certainly due!!
  The all floral dress is The Lizzy Dress from Shwin&Shwin, here
  My lovely friend Rachel helped by taking these darling pictures.  If you are in the Vegas area, check her out here.