Friday, November 29, 2013

Tooth Fairy Pillow Pattern

My 6 year old lost his first tooth a couple months ago.  As soon as it started to get a little wiggly, he started talking about how I was going to make him a super hero tooth fairy pillow.  I'm not sure where he got this idea, but once he starts talking about something, he doesn't stop.  He was asking me about this at least a couple times a day.  I finally came up with a plan and made his pillow, and he lost his tooth about a week later.



He loved his pillow, and I debated about whether to make a pattern to sell or not.  When I remembered about the Designer's Challenge, I knew I should do the pattern! The challenge is to make a pattern that isn't already offered in the PDF pattern industry, and also is outside of our own comfort zone.  This certainly is out of my comfort zone since my other patterns are clothing, shoes and hats!  So, I got to work.  I started with just the super hero, and ended up with 9 different options!!!  After I made them all, I just couldn't narrow it down, so I have included them all in this 1 pattern.  Everything in the photos below is included!  The options are: Pirate, Princess, Prince, Ballerina, Clown, Cowboy, Fairy, Ninja, and Super Hero. 

Each pillow has a pocket in the back to hold the tooth/money (please note that the cotton skirt version shown in the photo below is not included in the pattern).  The pattern also includes instructions on how to add a ribbon to hang your pillow from the door knob or bedpost.  This makes the Tooth Fairy's job so much easier!!!  No more groping around under pillows, risking getting caught. 


Get your Tooth Fairy Pillow pattern PLUS everything else in my shop today (11/29) for 40% off with code BLACKFRIDAY40

Link to the pattern: https://www.etsy.com/your/listings/170849362
Link to my shop: www.ladybugbend.etsy.com

Remember to sign up for the giveaway for your chance to win this pattern!  If you buy it and win, you will be reimbursed :) 
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Monday, November 4, 2013

Our Little Tie Breaker!

Some of you know I am expecting baby #5.  We have two boys and two girls, so this one is or tie breaker.  We recently found out the gender, and it's a BOY!  We are very excited!  I have to say I was convinced it was a girl from the beginning, so it was a bit of a surprise, but I am definitely not disappointed.  Watch out for some cute new boy patterns!  I have lots of ideas, but I need to find some time!


We wanted to tell our kids the gender of their new sibling in a fun way.  We blew up tons of pink and blue balloons and made sure there were more blue.  Then we spread them throughout the house and told the kids to find them and then count them. 


They held up the color they thought there were more of.  I think it was quite obvious there were more blue.  The girls really wanted a sister.  


Then they counted.  We had some very disappointed girls, but they are warming up to the idea and getting excited.  My son was thrilled. 


I am having some flash sales this week to celebrate our little guy.  Every day this week between 4 PM and 10 PM Mountain Standard Time one of my BOY patterns will be on sale for 50% off!  Watch my fan page to find out which patterns they are!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Sew-Along Day 5: Steps 25-32

We are finishing our vests today!!  Please share photos in my facebook group! Also, I would love to keep a count of how many vests are being donated for this project, so let me know either in the group or by commenting here.  Here is the link to the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/465490190211553/
 
We will be making the weights for the vests today, completing steps 25-32.  First, we need to cut weight pouches and batting.  I ended up making 14 weights.  2 of them are extras for when he grows or just in case his OT feels he needs more weight.  Mine are 2 different weights (some weights have 3 washers and some have 4), and are color-coded (red is less weight, blue is more) so it is easy to disperse the weight evenly. 



Here are my finished weights.
 
And the finished vest with weights inside!
 

Sew Along Day 4: Steps 16-24

Today is day 4 of the Sew-Along.  We will be completing the vest today!  Complete steps 16-24.  When you are finished, you should have a finished vest with buttons if you wish to include them. 
 
 
 
Tomorrow we will make the weights, and the vest will be completely finished! 

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Sew-Along Day 3: Steps 8-15

Today is day 3 of the Sew-Along!  We will be completing steps 8-15 in the pattern.  When you are finished you should have your large pocket piece sewn to the lining of the vest.  You should also have your 8 pockets separated.  You can't see the separate pockets very well in this photo, but they are there :)  Also, the fabric requirements do allow for the large pocket to be made out of the lining fabric.  I made a really silly mistake during cutting, which made it so I had to use the outer vest fabric for my pocket.  It really doesn't matter, and I like the contrast :)
 
 
Tomorrow we will be completing steps 16-24, which will complete the actual vest!  We will just have to make weights after that.  Thanks for following along!

Sew Along Day 2: Fidget Items and Steps 1-7

Today is day 2 of the Sew-Along!  Natalie from the Sassy Pumpkin has put together an awesome tutorial on how to add "fidgets" to your vest.  These are great for those kids who need to keep their hands busy.  If you are going to add fidgets, it is best to do them before you complete step 1.  Thank you Natalie for sharing this!  Click the link to view the tutorial.
 
Here is what your finished vest will look like with the fidgets added:


After your fidgets are in place, complete steps 1-7.  You should end up with your outer and lining vest pieces as shown in the photo.  You should also have your pockets sewn on.  If you are making the ruffle version, you will have a ruffle along the bottom edge of your outer vest piece.
 

 
Tomorrow we will be adding the large pocket to the lining, which will be steps 8-15.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Weighted Vest Sew-Along Day 1

Hi everyone, and welcome to the Sew-Along!  I am so excited to get started and to see what you all come up with.  To share photos of your vests, ask detailed questions, etc, please join my facebook group, Ladybug Bend Patterns: https://www.facebook.com/groups/465490190211553/
 
Today is the last day the weighted vest pattern is on sale for $5!  Remember that all money earned from this sale goes to SPD Foundation.  Here is the link to the pattern: http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/clothing/weighted-vest-sizes-18-months---12/72489
 
 
 
Okay, now let's get started!  First, you need all of your supplies.  You will need fabric for the outer vest and the lining, cotton batting, 3-4 buttons, coordinating thread, and the correct amount of weights.  Amounts of all of these items are listed in the pattern.  I decided to make some extra weights for the little guy I am donating to just in case his OT feels he needs more, and also so he can add more as he gets bigger.  As stated in the pattern, there is not a set weight that is recommended.  It depends on the child, and the weight stated in the pattern is only meant to be a guideline and a good starting point.  If possible, please consult the child's OT when deciding on how much weight to use.  These vests should be used under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist.
 
I have had a lot of questions about whether you can use something besides washers to weight your vest.  The answer: of course!  You can also use rice or poly beads.  These things will make your vest much more bulky, and you will have to adjust the size of your pockets and weight pouches.  That being said, I promise that the washers are the best things I have tried!  They are small and compact, yet still provide the weight needed.  With the batting surrounding them, they are not any more hard than poly beads or rice would be.
 

Next, you will cut out your fabric.  You will end up with 2 back vest pieces, 4 front vest pieces, one large pocket piece, and 2 flap or ruffle pocket pieces.  Also cut a ruffle if you are making the ruffle version of the pattern.  We will cut the weight pouches, Velcro and batting later. 


 
That's all for today!  Tomorrow we will start constructing our vests (steps 1-7).  We will also have a guest tutorial by Natalie of The Sassy Pumpkin on adding fidgets to our vests.  Fidgets are great for keeping those little hands busy!  Here is a list of extra supplies needed for the fidgets:

Supplies:
7 inch zipper
1 package of snap tape (approx 4 snaps worth)
1 package of sew on Velcro (approx 2”)
Rotary Cutter/matt and/or scissors
Thread
Fray Check
Scrap piece of fabric 9.5” x 5”