Kid Tent {Sesame Street Style}

I made a tent for the nursery kids at church.

Mom gave me 2 of these sweet flat sheets awhile back. They were brand new! But they look sort of retro, don't they?! They are a cotton/poly mix ~ probably 60/40. While that's not so good for quilt backs it works perfectly for tent making. Besides, what 2-3 year old doesn't love Sesame Street.

I'm not kidding when I say that my 5 years old keeps asking when we can go to the church and play in the tent. I'd call that success! I can't wait to show the kids on Sunday.

FYI: Here are the measurements for the standard classroom table in every LDS Church

29.5 inches high

24 inches wide

35 inches long

107 inches circumference

Card Table Tent--guest pics

Vera let us know that she loved our post about card table tents and her hubby Kevin was nice enough to make one for their 3 boys. She said Kevin did all the sewing (way to go for the dads!!), and even though she said they just used whatever fabric they had extra, their 3 boys don't care, because as you can tell by that smile, they love it.

Thanks Vera & Kevin for sending us some photos of your cute project (and 1 of your cute boys)!

Bean Bags

File this little project under the EASIEST. I had some fabric leftover from other projects cut into 6" squares (potential blanket) and some phantom black eyed peas that we don't eat and never will eat. So I decided to make L some bean bags. She really didn't care about them until last week when she discovered that putting them on your head and letting them drop is hilarious. Who knew?

I just left one end open and filled about half way with peas, but you could use rice or any other dried bean.

Cheerleader Costume

I've taken a self-imposed quilting break this week so that I could get this costume done for my daughter's 7th birthday today.

I've been telling her for a couple years now that I'd make it for her, probably starting on Halloween 2 years ago...! Now that it's finished, I am now no longer the worst mother on the planet!

The biggest obstacle on this project for me, has been keeping quiet about it! I am one who gets really excited about the things I'm working on and thus might drop some hints to the recipient--I know, so lame!

But, I've tried really hard to keep my mouth shut (my goal for this year) about my surprise projects. The 7 year old has no idea! I hope she freaks when she sees it!

For some reason the green on the trim and megaphone looks really off in these pictures, but in person they are really close to the same color. Not sure why they are photographing that way...

For the top I used Simplicity 4040 and the skirt McCalls 2849

The Teddy Bear

This little guy will be from Santa.

the pattern has a face, but I don't really care if he has one or not. So I chose not. I kind of like the homemade-ness of it. L tried to swipe him several times during construction so I think she might actually be interested in it. So far she hasn't cared one bit about any of the toys I've made her. My two year old niece sure likes them all though.

L's stuffed elephant

I've been meaning to post this little project I finished. It was another "been in the pile way too long" project.




Simplicity 2921

I don't have pleasant feelings about this little guy because I hated sewing it. It is full of little tiny curves and small seams (I should have known). It's the same reason I don't do dolls (the only exception) or doll clothes. Too tedious.

I also made L a teddy bear for Christmas. But only after thoroughly reviewing the pattern instructions. (I learned my lesson with this pesky elephant). There are only two pieces and about four seams. That's more like it! It is so much cuter. I ran out of poly-fil so I'll post when I get more.

Tents and TeePees Part Two--The TeePee

Here is where you can find part one of this post about tents.


In this post it's all about The TeePee!

This teepee has been on my wish list for about 5 years (seriously!). Two years ago I even made one for my friend Kathy's kids for Christmas, since she doesn't really sew. I guess the fact that it takes 10 yards of fabric has prevented me from making it sooner. That much fabric is hard to find cheap! I ended up using a set of sheets (queen size top and bottom) and pretty much used every ounce of them (other than a few pieces just big enough for my quilting stash).

The sheet set was well used and even stained (from an unfortunate ball point pen accident) so I had no problem turning it into this creation. And since it's stained (you can only see the pen spots up close) I think I've decided to let my kids use my fabric markers and go to town decorating the outside of the teepee once I've actually give it to them at Christmas!

Here is a view of the inside with the 4 yr old and the 2 yr old. You can see that it's quite roomy! I think it's at least 4 feet tall on the inside middle. Plenty of room for a few rascals!


The pattern for this project is Butterick 4251. The directions in the pattern are a little harder to follow, so I wouldn't recommend this for beginning sewers. But, if consider yourself a relatively good seamstress you will do fine. And for those of you who don't have kids, but have a 4 legged "baby", you could try a tent for them using McCalls 5412.

Considering that I have seen teepee's for sale in kids magazines starting at around $150, this project is rather affordable! The key would be to find fabric that is inexpensive (thus the reason I recyced my sheets). The PVC poles will run you around $30 (I got mine free from hubby's work scraps).

Tents and TeePees Part One--The Tent

We don't know a kid who doesn't love to make a tent--girl or boy! We've all made plenty of tents in our day, and nothing cures boredom faster than blankets draped over a couch or a table. Here is a simple way to make a permanent sort of kid tent.

This idea comes from our mom.

This tent in legendary in our family! Our mom made it when we were all kids about 30+ years ago. It is known to all of us simply as The Snoopy Tent. It is a simple concept, really. It is made to fit over a regular old card table.

She made the top out of one 42" square of fabric (measure your table to get the correct size). The sides are one continuous length of fabric (approximately 42" long times 4 sides). She sewed the sides to the top square leaving a space on the front for the door opening. She finished the bottom hem and side of the door openings with a simple double fold and top stitch. The door was just a length of fabric slightly wider than the opening that she finished with contrasting skinny double fold bias tape.

She made a circle cut in one of the sides for a window and finished it off again with contrasting skinny double fold bias tape. Amazingly enough, after 6 kids and many years of use and abuse, the window has never been torn. And, yes, this is the original Snoopy Tent--Still cool after all these years!

Stay tuned for part two--The TeePee!

More Black Apple dolls

I'm making one

I've seen these dolls mentioned on several blogs before and I just love them. But I'm way too cheap to pay $40+ for one. Imagine how happy I was when I came across the pattern online. Sweet!! I'm not into doll making, but these are too cute and so modern that I must give it a try. L is getting one very soon. The creator was kind enough to share her pattern. Thank you, thank you!

Want to make one too? See instructions here

Wouldn't it be cute to make the doll's dress out of fabric from one of Baby L's outfits?

Memory Game

I saw a really cool memory game online recently. Modern and hip...but $40. So I decided to make my own. Found the 2" chipboard squares at the local Robert's and used all my scrap paper. I bought 40 squares and it was $4.50 (had a coupon).



I left the other side blank so the chipboard is showing, but you could choose one paper (solid or patterned) to mount to the back side for a more finished look.

I used Duro all-purpose spray adhesive (found at JoAnn Fabrics), but there are many brands and you can find it at any craft store. It is an aerosol can. I just followed the instructions on the back of the can: Spraying both the back side of my paper and the chipboard for a more permanant mount.

***check out the comments for some cool variations. a personal fave: using photos of family members for your memory game. Most of our relatives do not live close and what a great way for kids to feel connected. I love it!!

Pant Leg Bag

Here's a little recycle project. One of B.'s favorite pair of jeans got a hole in the knees and so we cut them off and made them into shorts for the summer since they still fit. Well, part of her favorite part about the jeans was it had some fun embroidery on the hem. So we used that piece and turned it into a little bag for her.

I sewed up the cut end. The hem became the top of the bag. And we attached a little piece of ribbon that she picked out and used it for the handle. Voila!! Little bag for a little girl--and very minimal sewing.