Spot Dog - The Sweater Friend Tutorial

The story of Spot Dog (and how to make your own).

A while ago I made my first sweater friends.  Lumpy Bunny & mickey mouse.  E took one, WP took the other.  WD thought that he, too deserved a sweater friend.  Since I wasn't completely happy with how the first ones turned out, this was my chance to redeem my sweater sewing abilities.

I started with an old black cashmere sweater that had accidentally made it in the wash too many times.  I washed and dried it on hot once more for good measure.

 Draw out your pattern.  I just free-handed it.

 Cut it out.

 Pin onto your fabric/sweater and cut.

 Remember that you need a front and back for both the body and the head.  Plan accordingly. (I didn't)

 Cut out your face pieces.  I used: flannel, felt and a small piece of pink cashmere.  All scraps I had lying around.

 The tongue I sewed double.

 Baste your face pieces on.

 I used a satin stitch on the edges.  If you're using something that doesn't ravel, you can skip this step.  I just liked the finished look.

Pin right sides together and sew, leaving a space to turn and stuff.  If you look by the right ear, you see two sets of double pins.  That's how I mark my stop and start places.

 Turn right side out - stuff - and slip stitch the opening.

 The body: Pin right sides together.  Stitch, leaving an opening to turn and stuff.

 This is the body right side out.  At this point I stuffed the arms and legs and then sewed across where they met the body.  (see green arrows below) I wanted them to be stuffed, but floppy, and this seemed like a good way to do it.  I was pleased with how it turned out. 

 Stuff the rest of the body.  Stitch the stuffing hole closed and sew on the head.  I did this part by hand.  The fluffy sweater hides all the stitching, and I wanted his head to be floppy, too.  I also added a tail.  Just cut out a tail shape, sewed it, stuffed it and attached it to his rear. (see bottom picture)

At this point I thought I was done.  WD said "it isn't really how I wanted it.  I wanted white spots."
Grrrrr.
So I cut some white spots out of felt.  Pinned them around, with WD's approval.  And hand stitched them on with embroidery floss.

Another Sweater Friend

This was the other gift for my niece's birthday.  A new sweater friend.

This one is from an old cashmere sweater that didn't fit anymore.  I gave it a good hot wash and dry and put this mouse/bear together.  I'm much more pleased with this one than the last two.  However, I think my days of sewing with sweaters is coming to an end.
I put some daisies from the dress on the ears to make her a little prettier, and well, more girl like.

President's Day Dinner

Yesterday was President's Day here is the US.  Mostly it means some kids have off school (not mine) and we don't get any mail.  But we thought it would be fun to have a President's Day dinner.  Mr. Riley found a colonial recipe for Onion Pie.

I was skeptical, but it turned out really good.  Potatoes, Onions and Apples, with some egg in a nice flaky (lard & butter) crust.  The most unusual thing was probably the spices.  Salt, Pepper, Nutmeg and Mace.  I will probably make it again, but maybe add some ham inside and maybe some kind of caramelized onion sauce/gravy.

If you are at all interested in the recipe, let me know and I'll put it up.

We also ended the dinner with Cherry Pie in honor of George.  There are no pictures of that.  Mr. Riley & I finished the pie for breakfast.  I don't feel any much guilt about that.  It was the ice cream on top that was probably a bit much!

Lastly, a sneak peek at my current project.  Actually, I would have called it done, but the recipient said it 'wasn't exactly what he wanted' so we are working toward that.

Belly Flops

I am in the process of a really cool project and wanted to have it done today to show you, but: at 9:30 last night I realized that something I needed was out in the barn.  I wasn't about to head out there at 9:30, in the dark, in 20 degree weather, to look for it.  So, instead I will introduce you to two of our newest friends.

 Mickey. Mouse.

Lumpy Bunny.

This is for all of you who think everything I make is beautiful.  These guys, not so much.  I thought it would be great to make some 'sweater friends' out of a sweater that was destined for Good Will.  I made the bear/mouse one first.  Wes took one look at it and said 'Mickey(?). Mouse(?).' (He says most things like they are a question, right now).  And promptly took it and has slept with it everyday for two weeks.  This was even before I added a face.  He picked out the colors for the face.  

Then I thought I would try bigger and maybe simpler with the bunny.  Well, he's just lumpy.  Ellie has claimed him, though.  Crooked face and all.  She says she loves him and that he smells like me.  

Now Will is demanding a puppy.  I will have to find a new/old sweater to try again.

I still think this is a workable idea.  I have an old cashmere sweater that I would like to try.  I'm pretty sure its the ribbing on this one that makes them look so funny - oh and some bad sewing on my part!