Think Crafts Blog – Craft Ideas and Projects – CreateForLess

By Recycled Crafts Contributor, Anitra from the blog “Coffee Pot People”.

I spent yesterday afternoon making my first three Dotee dolls, and what fun that was! Have you heard of them? They were invented by a lady in Australia named Dot, and they’re becoming quite the rage, especially for swapping. (Click here to see more dotees)

I was charmed by them right off the bat, and also love that they take so little in the way of materials or even skill. In fact, this would be a great craft to do with a child—a fun way to learn basics like sewing on a button, stuffing a small toy, with a reward at the end in the form of a new toy.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Scraps of fabric, roughly 8″ to 10″ square
• A bit of white, cream, or tan fabric for the face
• Trims for hair (optional)
• Dangly bits—those earrings from the ’80′s you held onto work well
• Odd bits and buttons you might use
• Pens, crayons, etc., for drawing the face
• Glue, needle & thread, scissors, fusible interfacing, etc.

The simplest dotees are rectangular, with no arms, legs, or even hair. They always have a hanger at the top, and a dangle at the bottom. Well, actually the dangle is optional, too!

To get started, decide about how big you want your dotee to be. Try a rectangular one first—you can make shaped ones next. Cut a two pieces of fabric the size of the doll you have in mind, plus half an inch seam allowance all around, plus about an inch more to allow for the “shrinkage” that will happen when you stuff it. If you like, round the top of the rectangles.

Now cut a circle of the white/cream/tan fabric for the face. You might want to cut a paper circle first, to gauge size. Draw a face on the circle. I used an ink pen, a fine-tip marker, and fabric crayons to draw mine. Use what you have—it’s all good!

Cut a bit of fusible interfacing the same size as the circle, and iron the face in position on the front of your rectangle.

Now sew the rectangles together, right sides facing. Leave a gap at the bottom for stuffing. Clip any curves, and trim the corners, and turn right side out. Stuff lightly, and blind stitch the opening.

If you aren’t going to put hair on your doll sew the hanger into the seam. If your doll will have hair, you can cut a length of string, tie a knot to make a loop, and sew where the hair will cover the knot.

For Plaidy Lady, I used a short length of upholstery fringe for her hair, with a button sewed to each end, and sewed it around her face, going right through the doll, and putting a French knot in several places just for pretty. I also added a bit from a broken necklace, to hand down in front. Here’s the back:

You could also just glue the fringe in place, which is what I did with the two other dotees.

Now choose a dangle—a dangly earring, a bit of a bracelet, etc.—or create your own. Sew or glue it to the bottom of your doll. If you like, cover the place where it’s attached with a button. (I put buttons on the front and back, both.)

Like many crafts, I think the instructions make these dolls sound harder to make than they actually are. Here’s the truth of the matter: I looked at pictures of a bunch of dotees, and just started making them. It’s that easy, and I think you’ll think so, too, once you’ve tried one!

By Sewing Contributor Jessica, from the blog “Life Sew Good”.  

Making your own appliqué is not hard, but it does take some practice to make it look good.  To make your own appliqué, all you need is Heat & Bond, fabric of your choice and something that needs embellishing!

Here’s what you need:

• Heat & Bond—make sure it’s the kind you can sew on
• Fabric that you want to use as part of your appliqué  **Make sure you pre-wash it!!
• Scissors, Iron, sewing machine
• Clothing, towel, bag or anything you want to appliqué on!

1. Cut out a piece of fabric you want to use for your appliqué.  I found this bird & love it! Notice I decided to keep the fabric between the legs.  I decided that they are small enough that they would get when I sewed between them; thus, easier and better looking in the end if I left it.

2. Using your Heat & Bond’s instructions, apply your piece to your project.

3. Here’s the harder part that sometimes takes some practice. You need to choose a stitch to sew around the edges of your appliqué. You have some options. If your machine is pretty basic with few stitches, go for a zig-zag. If you have lots of options, you may want to play with what you think looks best. I chose to use #11 on my machine. After using different stitches, it was my favorite.

4. Starting in a less-conspicuous spot of your design, sew around the entire outer edge, making sure your stitches are always catching your appliqué.

Here’s another example of an appliqué a friend did on a towel:

Crafts-a lot Contributor, Mable who is an avid reader of craft blogs & magazines and has aspirations to improve her crafting skills.

I’m proud to say that it’s been years since I’ve given my family members a store-bought gifts. My gifts vary depending on the person and which craft I’m into at the time. Last Christmas my family received scrapbook calendars. I designed each scrapbook layout depending on the month’s holidays, birthdays and past trips we took that month. For birthdays this year I made candles and candle holders. For Mother’s and Father’s day I used Mod Podge and scrapbooking paper to decorate Paper Mache frames.

Now that Christmas is over, I can blog about what I made this year! This year I’m into sewing. Since everyone is carrying their laptops everywhere, I made messenger bags to tote them around. I used the Stitchin’ Post Messenger Bag & Quilted Laptop Pattern. This pattern was easy to understand, even for a novice sewer like me. But an expert sewer could use this pattern as a template to customize their bags.

I had fun picking out the fabric from each bag. I choose quilting fabric because I wanted something bright and fun. I used interfacing to make the fabric stiffer and so the bag would hold its shape. I followed the pattern and made one large pocket, and a divided inside pocket.

Now that I’ve already made a few bags, I’ve got a ton of ideas to add to my next bag. Which just so happens to be for me :) I would like to add a side outside pocket for my cell phone. Also I want it to close by sewing a loop to the bottom front seam, and a button on the top flap to button it closed. What would you add?

By Craft Trends Contributor, Trent Jaxon.

If you would like to have your questions answered by a true craft insider just send an email “To Trent” at info@thinkcrafts.com.

1. I have been using this fusible interfacing, labeled “For Light to Mediumweight Fabric” and I need more, but cannot find it. Is the product “Fusible Interfacing Feather/Mid” the same product and/or same weight? I am halfway through a project and need to match the interfacing I have already been using. Thank you for any assistance.

Yes, it should be the same weight of interfacing. However many interfacings can be used with light to medium weight fabrics so it might be a bit of trial and error to find the right one. While all interfacings in a “category” are the same (light, medium, heavy) the product can be slightly different among the different brands out there. A good tip before you start a project is to cut out a two inch square of the interfacing and write the brand, product name, and weigh on it. This way you can find an exact match if you run out. It’s also great for down the road if you want to use it on a different project. You can just flip through your homemade “swatch” to find the right product.

2. I sprayed some Oregon grape stems with the semi gloss Design Master paint which you can use on florals. Is this safe to put on my Christmas tree? I have put springs throughout my tree. I am a bit concerned because of the heat from the lights, will this possibly cause a fire???

It may! We all know that spray paint is flammable but unfortunately I don’t know the flash point temperature of this particular product. That being said most of the ornaments we use have some type of flammable coating on them and assuming you use a live tree it too can burn. I think you are safe for now but as a precaution I would make sure that none of the sprigs are placed in direct contact with a light bulb and the paint is completely dry/cured before putting them up.

3. I have cards that are exactly 3.5 x 5, and I’d like to know if the envelope itself is 3.5 x 5 (so the card inside must be LESS than 3.5 x 5) or if the envelope is made for 3.5 x 5 cards (and therefore just large enough for my cards).

Great question! The envelopes at CreateForLess should do the trick as our envelope sizes are listed by the size of card that they will fit not the actual envelope size. That being said if you are planning on putting large embellishments on your cards you might consider going up a size.

4. I was just curious how thick these tin sheets are, if you could just give me a basic idea? What are they used for?

I could pull out my calipers but I don’t own any. So my best description is they are slightly thicker thank the bottom of a cookie sheet. As far as their use? You tell me dear crafter! I have seen them used to make magnet boards, calendars, wall hangings, centerpiece bottoms, accent table tops, custom backsplashes, picture frames, serving trays, abstract art……

5. Can I spray paint my couch?

Yes you could. And I am sure your dry cleaner will appreciate all the extra business you will be sending their way!

Congratulations to Mary M. from Sinking Spring, PA who was randomly selected as our National Sewing Month Drawing Winner! Mary will receive $100 for an online shopping spree at CreateForLess!

“I made my twin grandson’s christening suits from a Mc Calls’s pattern, #3063, they were christened in February so I used a thin corduroy for the bottom of the romper. Brocade for the vest and a cotton for the shirt. The collar was piped. I adapted the back closure to a zipper. The hats were made from an online pattern and adjusted to fit their little heads. All were sewn on my Pfaff machine.”

Check out some of my favorite entries! Also this month is our Handmade Halloween Costume Contest! 

“My best friend goes to a Witches Party every Halloween. Everyone typically shows up in black. She decided to go as Glinda from Wizard of OZ. She flew up from S. CA to WA so that I could make her the costume. Not that they show up in the photo but there are butterflies on her choker, shoulder, waist and wrists. These were Free Standing Lace butterflies that I made on my Brother Quattro. The pattern was purchased. The hat was made from clear acrylic covered with the sheer fabric used in the dress. A true labor of love!”

By Anne S. from Burley, WA

“This is my nursery for my now 8 mo. old twin granddaughters (Gianna & Phoebe). This is my custom design crib bedding that I made for them. I also made the matching diaper stacker and the mobiles and the wall art that spells out their names.”

By Marcie S. from El Cajon, CA

“Julia’s Little Mermaid quilt – Lots of pink and beachy stuff for a great beach picnic. Machine embroidered white muslin squares set in a snowball quilt pattern, 100% cotton fabric. Machine pieced, machine embroidered and machine quilted. I Used fabric from my stash.”

By Karen C. from Central Falls, RI

“Part of the County 4-H Llama Show is a Costume Competition where both the 4-H exhibitor and the llama dress up in costumes. For my daughter’s costume we just pulled together various items of clothing. However, that doesn’t work for a llama. My daughter wanted the llama to dress as a Royal Llama. The design is my own (since there are no Llama Costume Patterns!!). The ears, head, neck & legs had to be covered as much as possible. I used gold lame for the head & neck. Royal purple velveteen was used for the body. Gold bells were attached to the costume and halter. It took about 8 hours to put the costume together. By the way, they were the Champions for their Division!”

By Marie D. from Poland, In

“My nieces had asked if I could make them book bags for the coming school year. They didn’t want anything fancy, just something to hold a couple of binders and books, so this is what I made. They measure 11″ x 13 1/2″ and have eight pen/pencil pockets plus a calculator/pad pocket in front. These are my own design. I used cotton fabrics, fusible fleece on outer fabric and decor weight interfacing on the lining. My biggest reward in making these bags: my nieces loved them!”

By Rhonda C. from Meadville, PA

Click HERE to see more of our favorite entries on CreateForLess!