Free pattern – car seat pillow

Nap time. Yesterday I decided to try to get caught up with the dishes during nap. She woke up before I finished. Today I decided to blog instead...

Car seat pillow
Every one of our drivers in China had these on their seats. I seem to remember them being plentiful in Japan when I was there a couple of decades ago. We were lucky enough to get one in the passenger seats in one of our vans. It was so comfortable that I ran out and bought some for my car.
Here's how to make a simple one. You can appliqué or embellish as desired.

Materials:
½ yard fleece
Batting/stuffing of your choice
Contrast fabric for appliqué (optional)
11 ½” length of 1 1/8”width elastic

Directions:
Print out pattern. Cut fabric on fold or print two and tape together.
Cut out fabric. If cutting on fold be sure to just fold over amount needed. Don’t cut in middle.
Appliqué on front side (optional)
Fold strip in half lengthwise face together.
Stitch lengthwise edge ¼ inch seam allowance.
Turn right side out.
Thread elastic through and secure at ends.
Place body face side together with strip centered between.
Stitch around body leaving 3” opening at bottom flat edge.
Be sure to back stitch at opening.
Turn right side out.
Stuff until plump and firm
Hand stitch opening closed.

free pattern recycled sweater pig

Several people have asked for the pattern for my recycled sweater animals.
Here is the recycled sweater pig. Quarter inch seam allowance, print full page 8 1/2"x11" paper.
Directions can be found here

I will up load the elephant soon. I didn’t get a chance to sew it up. I don’t think I will get a chance soon. My daughter is too stressed out to sleep. Means I don’t get to sleep either. We are celebrating four hours of continuous sleep last night! Longest stretch since we’ve gotten to the US.

China trip was amazing, informative and magical.

I am looking for the owl’s pattern. Not sure if I made one or just freehanded it. Feels like a lifetime ago. The paper pattern wasn’t with the pig like it should be. I am so disorganized right now, I’m not sure where to even look for it.

2 t-shirt dress

I really want a simple t-dress for easy traveling. We don’t have any funds to purchase such thing. Here is a great way to up-cycle two t-shirts into a cute dress. I used alternative apparel’s organic T’s. They are a little thin but I think a slip will fix that.

Materials:
1 medium t-shirt (ladies)
1 large t-shirt (unisex)
½” width elastic – 2 - 6” lengths
Fabric paint
Bubble wand

Directions:
Cut Medium -T-shirt at 16 ½” from highest point of shoulder.
Fold 1 ½” under at hem
Place newspaper between front and back
Paint – press bubble wand in small amount of paint
Press painted bubble wand at hem of T-shirt
Repeat as desired
Let dry
Iron as hot as material will allow setting paint
While paint dries, cut body out of Large T-shirt – top width to match width of medium t-shirt hem – or can put darts 3-4” from CF and CB to match width but be sure no larger than 1” darts
Cut pockets out of Large T-shirt sleeves using hem as top of pocket.
Run elastic through hem of sleeve (top of pocket bag)
Secure ends
Stitch 1” inverted pleat at center bottom of pocket bag
Turn edges under and topstitch or zigzag onto body at desired (I put mine too low I recommend about 4 inches from top of body – mine are almost 6”)
Sew side seams of Large T-shirt
With 1 ½” hem turned up inside Medium T-shirt, slide Large T-shirt inside to match
Pin to secure
Zigzag through all 3 layers

Well that’s it for me. I am off to China to get my daughter! I will try to resume in 3 weeks, but who knows…