Time for A Check Up!

My youngest is crazy over Miss McStuffin and all things Doctor. So, when her Childcare has an Occupation Day, she decided that she wants to be a Doctor.

I couldn't find a sewing patterns for a doctor robe so I had to improved.  Using the Chef pattern (No. 17) from Ottobre 1/2013 and the collar piece from Ottobre 3/2010 (Vest No. 22), I made this little Doctor robe.  As the original pattern was a chef jacket, I lengthen it to 146 size but use the 104 size for my almost 4 year old. Took out the overlap double button plackets and left it buttonless since I don't think she will button up. Less work to sew all the rows of buttons!

I added 2 big pockets (5" squares) to the front for her to keep her doctor's kit. Seems like Doc McStuffin can also fits in!

The robe has front facing, also adjusted to the new neckline but no back facing. I bind the raw edges on the neckline with grosgrain ribbon. The rest of the edges are finished with my serger.

The new collar means I've to redraft the neckline to suit the collar shape so I just trace the collar edge over the neckline and create a new collar with a V shape neckline.

I also use the satin stitch on my machine to stitch her name, just like a real doctor. She was comparing this with Doc McStuffin and said 'not same. no name tag!'

Added the button tab behind the robe.

The only back view I got

That's it. All in a night worth of sewing and she is off to her school as Dr R. Have a good time baby!

Dr R is ready to go!

Time for your checkup Miss McStuffin!

Hello Mr Fox

My office colleagues are crazy with soft toys these days. You would think that only kids do that but no.  Who can resist those cute, soft and cuddly plush toy. I would have followed them if not for the price tag. A medium size would cost about $50!

Okay, I told myself I can just make one. Went to Spotlight one evening and got these cheery orange chevron minky selling at $14.99 a yard. I bought 3/4m since I only want to try making one. Because the pile is directional, you must get a least 3/4 yard. Else it will not be so comfy and smooth if you run your finger against the pile, if you get what I mean.

Anyway, drafted something on paper and cut out the body, hands, legs and ears. Sew them, stuff them and attached the buttons...in one night, you have the FOX!

Frankly, I was thinking of a Tiger but when I sew on the eyes and nose, it just speak FOX to me.

Sorry for the blurry picture. We were in the car and it was difficult to take photo. The fox is about the same height as my 3 year old, around 110cm when you add in the long legs. Long limbs are good. The arms can be folded and it looks like an angry fox. My girl recently had this habit to fold her arms when she is unhappy so I was laughing at how similar they look.

I bought the fox to my office to show my colleagues.  I was too ambitious and stuff it too full so the fox kept bouncing off my office chair every time I stand up from my chair. The ears look so small compare to the big fat body. So, with 2 triangles, 1 fat rectangles and 4 long rectangles, you got your plush toy for under $20! No bad!

Anyway, version 2 is coming up with both my girls demanding for one themselves. It was such a rewarding and easy project. The minky is so soft. If you are in Singapore, you can find them at Spotlight. There are other colors too. I bought polka dots and dots previously so if you are not greedy like me, 1/2 m will give you a decent size plush.

Happy Teacher's Day

A few year's back, we have changed the Teacher's Day to be on the first Friday of September and this year, it fell on 6 September.

Last minute, I sew up some pencil cases for my girl's teachers.

I've used some Moda Layer cakes (10" pre-cut squares) so that saved up the cutting time.

In floral, stripes and motif.

I took some time to choose the inner fabric.

Added a thin batting (from Daiso) and my new handmade tag (from Textile Centre)

Also had fun coordinating the zipper colors, some from Daiso and some from Textile Centre.

Here's the full range that I've made the night before Teacher's Day.