Toys and Crafts

Blog about my sewing experiments and tutorials. Thanks for following!

[toysandcrafts]

I practiced creating my own Kitty Tote bag with my own bag patterns. Though I will be using a different tote pattern next time! Inside is a red strawberry ocean.

[toysandcrafts]

Hello everyone, I am back and will be starting on a new project. Doll customise painting, with my new Obitsu cats and a blank Pullip doll.

I have start to continue this craft blog :)

[toysandcrafts]

This was the result of the sailor uniform top! After I sew around the edges, you stitched the collar top around the V-neck. I was able to sew the invisible zipper after practicing on mini scraps of cloth. Basically one side of the zipper teeth will be on the side facing 'outward' and the other zipper half will be on the 'inside' of the skirt. Then you sew according to the direction of your pinning - it's ALOT of trial and error.

[toysandcrafts]

My #sewing WIP with my original mini-plush cat pattern.. still in beta, will finalize when it looks right. Trying a couple methods to get this working for me.

[toysandcrafts]

Taking a break and working on a plush mockup of my mascot character ‘Sith’ the ghost cat. The colors I use are: purple, blue and yellow. ^^

[toysandcrafts]

Sailor Fuku collar: I measured out the shoulder widths and the circumference of my neck to get the measurements. (In this process, I used white 'interface' which is what makes clothing stiffer, however this is optional.) If you are just working with 1 collar layer, you have to sew back the edges. If you are making the two halves of scarf - please save for last.

Next I use a long strip of white bias-tape and pin it around the sailor scarf.  Have that tape wrap properly around the sides with 1-2inches away from the edges as shown. (because they will be folded in like a pillow case. With 1 layer you can sew by hand or by machine.. it's a tricky and longest process to get right. 

[toysandcrafts]

Creating the V-neck shirt (for the sailor-collar)

This tutorial covers the sailor-top shirt. Since my shirts don't come out well, I got a blank shirt (purchased from the fabric-printing aisle in Walmart) these shirts are really comfy and stretchy. Best part- they don't come with brand labels.

To make the V-neck, I first place masking tape (or electric tape) over the shirt, so I can trim it evenly and prevents fabric from shifting while you trim. I use the pattern of my neck to help outline the back tape. I also apply more tape at the back of the collar.. take scissors and viola! Here is the V-neck shirt.

Also the shirt I got was very long, so I folded back the inches that needed to trim so it wouldn't go over my shirt when I wear it.

[toysandcrafts]

Hey your skirt tutorial is really helpful (as im doing mako myself) I'd just like to ask how to do the ribbon around the collar?

No prob, I’m glad to help other cosplayers. For the collar ribbon, I’m still figuring out how to properly make that doable. You mean on the top portion of the collar, or the scarf tie? I will set up a tutorial, if you mean the white line across the top, I would use white bias tape and sew it onto the cloth; like in this tutorial: http://fixuplookchic.blogspot.ca/2013/06/fashion-fix-sailor-collar.html  I will work on a tutorial of the collar when I discover if it’s successful.

[toysandcrafts]

Last step: Take the waist band cloth; the edges should be ironed and you fold the fabric piece over your skirt, and pin it to keep the band in place. This is a tricky step as the pleats layer is rather thick and the fabric can tend to get off the line.

As the 2nd panel shows: You have to make sure the pleats are tucked right under the waistband cloth. Two options: Using a denim needle (if the current needle is too thin) or hand-sew the waistband with a thicker needle.

And when it's done, there is the result! Now just fit a zipper in with tutorial clips (I'm still learning that skill and testing with spare cloth.)

[toysandcrafts]

With your pleated skirt did you make the actual skirt part one piece (other than the waist band) or did you make two pieces and then attach them?(also thank you so much for the tutorial i have been looking EVERYWHERE for a pleated skirt tutorial!)

Hi. Yes for the pleated skirt, I made the actual skirt as a whole one piece, here is how the whole skirt piece look before I fold it:

I say a 2-piece skirt should work as well, if you did end up making a shorter skirt, I would try to make a two piece to save that skirt, and of course: use the skirt trial on a muslin cloth or spare cotton fabric first. (Though this is all still trial and error, I'll still ask an experience seamstress advice in case.) No problem, I’ve noticed it’s not easy finding a pleated skirt tutorial, so I will try to explain as simple as I can.

[toysandcrafts]

Step 6: Prepare to sew with the folded pleats. Make sure the skirt is alined properly. As your needle gets close to the pleat, stop and press the pleat right under the 'footer' step. This helps prevent wiggling.

Step 7: If you did make preparations before and added 12" inch, your skirt when fold in half will look like this.

Tip: Be careful about underestimating how much fabric folding takes. I estimate roughly 10"inches off, which throws off your measurements. You will end up with a shorter skirt that can't fit your hip like Mako shows!

[toysandcrafts]

Step 3: Now I begin to fold the first pleat. Be sure to iron the fold, don't sew the fold in. If you make a mistake and find your fold is too narrow, don't panic. Just iron over like straightening a cloth crease.

Step 4: I found though trials, you can determine how small or large you want your pleated skirt to look. For Mako's case, I want larger pleats, so measure roughly 2" inch per folding.

Step 5: Then I will simply iron the folds and pin them in place. Next I sew the top edge of the skirt with the folded pleats in place. If your machine 'snags' onto the cloth, try using starch or a thin layered paper to hold the cloth in place.

[toysandcrafts]

Next step: After cutting the pieces of cloth. You fold the edges in, as I demonstrate. I recommend when you do fold, iron the cloth, it makes the job much easier.

Then go over to the trusty sewing machine and sew the skirt hemming.

When you are done, it will look like the next photo. (my stitching isn't perfect but I gave the stitching a size 0.3 so when I have to unpick the thread, it doesn't damage the fabric too much.)

[toysandcrafts]

Hello! Been awhile but now I return to do another sewing tutorial (with photos). This is how I will be trying out a popular 'blue-sailor' schoolgirl uniform. The model I use is Mako's  Honnouji Academy uniform from "Kill la Kill."

For a skirt; you measure 3 main sections: Hip, Waist and Length-of the skirt. You will also need a zipper about 9 inch long. There is the main skirt and the 2nd long strip is the waistband.

After I measure myself, I cut out the measurements on draft paper. [Don't forget to use a chalk to measure, since paper tends to wiggle and therefore is not accurate.]

[toysandcrafts]

Craft News: Toon Link - has to be revised.

Hey guys!

I apologize for the delay on my plush making progress. I have to remake my Toon Link plush toy, due to most of my plush toys have been thrown out for luggage space x.x but I will try to get back to making him again, possibly using green fleece (rather than felt) since I discover felt has restricted 'stretchy fibers' and I may be using a different 'beige-skin' felt this time around.

Just updating that my sewing crafts have been put on haitus until my settling into a new house. Sorry!

[toysandcrafts]

Progress for Kurusu Syo plush

As requested: This is the first step for the Syo Plush project. I had each pattern cut out as shown, the head, the 'chin', the arms and the body torso. Advice: When you pin the patterns on fabrics; do not cut exactly to the lines, but cut a 1-2mm around the pattern to make extra space for sewing.

The torso pattern: Front and (back - is slice in 2, so when stitched; it becomes 'bigger) this follows the true official pattern of 'Gift' plushes.

1. First are the patterns for the head, chin and arms. The arms are cut out in a 'sandwich' pattern.

2) The arms are cut out like a sort of saucer way, so that when you fold it...

3) I added the black fabric (for his long gloves) and matched a pink felt on it.

Next photos of the progress coming up.... STAY TUNED!

[toysandcrafts]

can you take a pic of the syo plush finished product?

No prob! I will post up the progress photos of Syo plush as I will return back to finish him!