Ah, scrapbusters. The way I prove to my husband that it’s *actually wise* not to throw things away.
I’m not sure if this little guy is technically a good scrapbuster or not, since he takes barely any fabric, and under 2 feet total of various ribbon. But my daughter just LOVES him, so it’s a win-win since I didn’t need to buy a thing.
Taggie Caterpillar
Time: one hour or less
Supplies:
- Basic Sewing Supplies
- 2 – 3×12 inch pieces of fabric
- 20-24 inches of ribbon in various colors and textures
- Candle/lighter
- Optional embroidery floss or felt for eyes/face
I was so pleased to recall this polka-dot fabric leftover, since it makes such a great caterpillar body. These circles are about and inch and a half wide, so when I followed the pattern of the fabric, it stitched up a little narrower than I might have done otherwise. But it worked!
First, cut your fabric to 12×3, give or take, and affix your face (if you plan to have one). Mine was an afterthought. Duh. Much, MUCH easier to do it first! Trim your ribbons into 2″ lengths. I cut 10 pairs of legs and a set of antennae.
Gently melt the edges over a *controlled* flame. This will keep them from fraying.
You can also cut 4″ lengths and fold them in half to avoid this step, but then you need to use twice as much ribbon. Pin it around one of your body pieces. You may want to arrange two at the head for antennae (I did). All of these ribbons will be pointing inward. I know this may seem odd, but since stuffies get stitched inside-out, you arrange everything sort of backward. Just think of him hugging himself with a whole lot of legs. (Arms? Legs. Can you hug with legs?)
Once he’s all stitched up, you can trim the excess from the edges – especially the corners.
Now, turn him right side out. You can accomplish this with a butterknife or a chosptick. It may be tempting to use your scissors since they are right there, but just be *really* careful not to poke any holes if you do.
This is when I realized he had no eyes, so I stitched a couple on with embroidery floss. I hate when I get ahead of myself!
Now, stuff him fairly lightly. Enough to puff up, but not really firm. Pin his rear end shut.
Topstitch the open end. You could also whipstitch it or blindstitch it if you prefer, but I opted for strength of seam over detail orientation.
Now, you are going to quilt him to create his segments. This was easy for me to see my guidelines. If you have used something striped or dotted, it should be fairly easy, otherwise, just measure how big you want the segments and mark them with tape or disappearing marker.
Backstitch at the beginning and end of each segment. It might be tough to get your stitching started, so use the legs to guide the body back and forth under your machine if you need to.
Then trim up your loose quilting threads, and give him to a kiddo to enjoy!
Fun, quick project! ~ Adrianne
I link to these fabulous parties!
Amy Walden says
I can’t view any of the pictures. Can you update your photobucket so they can be viewed on a Mac computer?
Kimberlyann says
This is a great idea! She seems to really like it too! I would love for you to link up with us at http://www.thesasselife.com/2011/09/link-party-2.html.
Hope to see you there!
New follower,
Kim
http://www.thesasselife.com
Erin of HomeSavvyAtoZ.com says
Hi Adrianne!
Hi Sheryl!
Your caterpillar post was one of the most visited thumbnails at Savvy HomeMade Monday last week and will be featured in tonight's post to start the party! Thank you so much for linking up. If you would like to grab a feature button you can find it here: http://www.homesavvyatoz.com/buttons/
Crystal says
Thank you so much for sharing your taggie caterpillar last week over on the mommy solution meme. It was the top viewed idea last week.
http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2011/08/the-mommy-club-share-your-resources-and-solutions-6/
Denise McDonough says
I wish I could make these :( Legit! My best friend is having a baby soon and I would die for these for her :( Oh man I need to learn to sew!
Thanks for stopping by Mommy2Nanny3Doggy1 :)
Confessions of a Stay at Home Mommy says
Thanks for linking up to last week's Tuesday Confessional link party! You've been featured so grab a brag button and let everyone know that you are a big deal: http://www.craftyconfessions.com/2011/08/awesome-features-from-last-weeks.html
This week's link party is going on now, so don't forget to link up!
~Macy
WhyCuzICan says
Wow, your childs reaction to holding the toy in her sweet hands (and mouth) says it all– you made a winner there :D
Visiting from Ladybird Ln- Weekend Show Off Party,
~Suzanne in Illinois
Candace says
LOVE IT! So sweet and cute! I hope you will link up to Scrappy Saturdays linky party @ candacecreations.blogspot.com
Amanda says
Very cute! Come link up sometime at I Made It! Monday.
Kristi says
Thanks for linking up!! I pinned your project and can't wait to try it.
Erica says
This is so cute. My son loves tags…I will have to make him one during nap time! Thanks for sharing. I hope you will link this to my Delight Me party over at Doodles & Doilies!
Melanie says
Love this! Hope you'll link it up to Crafts for Under Twenty Somethings! Going on now until Saturday at noon!!
Melanie
http://bearrabbitbear.blogspot.com/2011/08/crafts-for-under-twenty-somethings_17.html
Danielle says
This is too cute1 I need to make one of these for my new nephew:> Thanks so much for linking up:>
Nicole says
I've been working on making a taggy blanket…inspired by you! My machine is giving me fits though….this should not be so hard! I'd love to try a taggy caterpillar, too! This is a great idea! I'm putting it on my FB page! Thanks for linking to Thrifty Thursday!
Amber says
What a cute project! Thanks for linking up!
Latin Coupon Queen says
Adorable! THis is super cute and the baby …speechless Super cuterz! :0)
Mo says
Oh my goodness, so cute!
Kimberly says
That is so cute! And your sweet little girl is adorable! Great tutorial. I'm your newest follower, too.
Kristi says
What a cute and simple idea!! I love it.
Would love it if you got the chance to link up at my Baby Week Linky Party this week!
Baby Week Linky @ Bowl of Cherrys
Sarah S says
This is adorable! My little girl is 18 months but I think she'd still love this. I'm going to have to do this for sure. Perhaps it will get me out of my sewing rut!
Ty and Whitty says
so adorable. Thank you so much for linking this up to mine and Lindsays Party Show and Share! I am your newest follower come follow me :)
A mommy's life…with a touch of YELLOW
tyandwhitneyulrich.blogspot.com
Chrissy says
P.S. Im your newest follower (:
Chrissy says
AHhh I LOVE this!! My son had like 4 different taggies when he was a babe. I want to make this for my girl…but I don't know how to sew! lol Guess I need to learn!
Chrissy @ formamas.blogspot.com
christina says
love this! wish i knew how to sew!!
LeAnne says
This is adorable (and so is the baby!)!!! Love it!
oomph. says
this is such a great DIY! i remember seeing taggies in the store for insane amounts of money! the caterpillat is so cute!
thanks so much for stopping by [oomph.]
returning the follow :)
sstone says
Love it! Thanks for posting! I have all that stuff, so I'm gonna make one. I'll be following!:)
Kelly says
Hi there-
I followed you from a blog hop last week but have been having issues with Blogger. I am “officially” following you now. I can't wait to see what you make next!
Have a great week.
Kelly
http://kellydunne.blogspot.com
Stephanie says
This is just SO cute. I need to get a sewing machine ASAP. I've been DYING to learn, and you're cute projects make me want to start now! :)
royalegacy says
This is a darling sewing project.
Following you back. Thanks for coming to my blog and following me.
Danielle
~*Royalegacy*~