A Tale of Two Stuffings

In the course of making the elephants shown in the previous post I experimented a little with stuffing.

Oh Stuffing! You have come a long way since that gloppy, clumpy stuff I struggled with as a youth!

Finding that the bag of stuffing I have had for (a few) years was nearly empty, I embarked on finding new goods.  I’m not so thrilled with some of the larger fabric/craft retailers around here and wasn’t willing to play stuffing roulette with whatever they might have in stock.  Instead I turned to my mother, who works in the interior decorations world, and asked what she might have access to.  

We came up with two types of stuffing: the standard non-allergenic, polyester hollow fiber fill and a new to me version: Polyester cluster fill, touted as a down alternative.  

Not being shy, we ordered a bag of the standard

(Note, this bag is no longer 100% full. Also note the sleeve board for size comparison)

So, having made up a few Elephants with the standard stuff, and being largely satisfied with the results, but intrigued by the cluster fill, we decided to give it a try.  

Both were fun to work with but the cluster fill was so silky! so bouncy! and chasing those little puffballs around the sewing room was kind of fun (at first).  

I learned a few things in the process of making the elephant – 

 primarily that this stuff compacted down seemingly more than the other stuffing, but bounced back more.  This made for a delightfully soft and comfy toy, but also made it easier to over-stuff the elephant.  

This had some unfortunate effects on my seams.  

Then I learned something after my kids had played with said elephant:  The little cluster fills like to clump together and did not like to stay in the corners.  

Miss Elephant’s trunk has become a bit deflated and if she is going to attempt ballet en pointe, she will need some help!

 

Solution:

1)      I quickly learned how much fill to add and to stop before I had over-stuffed.

2)      A combination of stuffing made for a great result:  I put the standard fill in “corners” such as the trunk, feet, etc.  and filled the remainder of the body with the cluster fill.

End result: happy elephants!

Elephants Marching

These little cuties make the best fun gifts and are quite addictive - this is only a small sampling of the herd that has marched its way out of my studio.

The pattern is from Joelle Hoverson's Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts.
It is a great little pattern - I made only one modification: I sewed the ears on by machine prior to stuffing.  I've seen what I did to my stuffed animals as a kid; we don't want an earless elephant running around :)

Quilt Inspirations and Ideas

I love to make bags and I have found that I enjoy making quilts.  I am not as adept as some or as inspired as many, but it is fun nonetheless.

I came to make quilts long after I first learned how to sew and long after I made my first bag.  I resisted it at first  but finally on a trip to Venice where I was stunned by the mosaic floors of St. Mark's, I found myself thinking, "this would make the coolest quilt!"

I still haven't made a quilt based on any of these mosaics; I started smaller, simpler.  

front

back

front

back - Vintage Merimekko

But once I allowed myself to think quilt, I began to find little inspirations everywhere - so just a few that a re percolating now (please pardon the grossly sub-par photography)

Note to self: that red light is shorter than you think...

Progress: Baby steps

Today I added a badge to this blog - simple for most, but I'm just going to be proud of myself for a minute.  (Well, a nano-second, because really, was it all that hard? No.)

Generation Q Magazine - I first heard about this from  I Heart Linen and I am glad I did.  It is a good blogzine with fun happenings and a great editorial board.


I am especially excited because I get to participate in an upcoming challenge:

• 40 2.5 inch square scraps
• Use ALL of the squares sent in some way;
• Make whatever you want from them;
• Add only SOLID fabrics to the mix: whatever you want, however many you want, as long as they are SOLIDS;
• Have pics of your finished project done by October 26

So.... No slacking, no getting distracted, no camera download procrastination - Bring it on!

eventually

So there's no Here here, no There there - not yet anyway.  I'm working on it.

Eventually I hope to join the happy group of sewing and crafty bloggers who share beautiful goodness and ideas.  Right now I'm formulating my ideas, conquering picture download procrastination, and generally trying to understand the mechanics of the blog. 

Until then, a huge thank you to all of you who have paved the way and shared your wonderful ideas.  I look forward to returning the favor!