Montessori style button snake

 

 

I saw this idea on a number of blogs awhile ago (can't remember which - sorry) and finally got around to making it myself yesterday.  Lord A was happily putting all the felt squares on while I was cutting the slit in the middle (and trying to keep ahead of him).  This was so simple to make.  Just stitch two large buttons onto either end of a length of ribbon (which doesn't need to be very long - mine is about 15cm) and cut out a bunch of felt squares.  I folded them in half to cut the slit in the middle but be careful as it is very easy to cut the slit way too long doing it that way.  One note though, even though Lord A happily did this activity as I was making it, he did it that once and then declared it 'boring'.  I think he is a little too old for it at 4 but this would be a great activity for younger kids still.

Felt flower brooch - felt flower series

I am a little obsessed with making felt flowers just now.  They are so easy and you can get so many different effects - what's not to like really?  So, along the lines of my previous post of six things to use them for and the kick off one yesterday, here is the continuing second part of the series.  Over the next week or so I will post more uses for them as I get them done.

For this flower, I used two petal layers and a simple button centre.  Out of interest, and for perspective, the bottom layer petals are 6.5cm long and I used 9 individual petals and the second layer is 5cm long and I used 7 individual petals (I wouldn't normally use that many but these petals are skinny).  I did make a third layer but the flower was just getting too thick by then so I didn't use it.  I didn't make a pattern or anything - just cut the first petal out to the shape you are thinking of and then use that as your pattern for the others.  Felt is very forgiving so don't be too concerned about getting them all perfect.

Then I just stitched a safety pin to the back because I don't have access to proper brooch findings.

I added a drop of glue over the stitches to hold it all in place securely.

I love these brooches attached to a tote bag just as much as on a coat.  You could pop them on a lot of things really.  Let me know if you make one!

Play watch for kids

Here are the instructions for how to make a cute little play watch.  The first photo is the one I have done for the tutorial and the second one is the original I made for my daughter many moons ago.  For the original I just used a liquid paper pen to add the 'watch face' if  you can call it that.  It has nearly worn away now but it has lasted well considering I made it at least 5 yrs ago as a quick problem solver for a toddler desperate for a watch like Mummy's and has been worn a lot.  Lord A (nearly 4 yrs old) now tries to get it as well.

All you need is some wide elastic, a large'ish button with a flat side, needle and thread and a permanent marker of some sort.

Then I couldn't resist adding in a cute little felt flower just to girlie it up a bit.

Measure around your child's wrist and allow a little for overlap.

Stitch through the overlap securely.  You could use a sewing machine if you want but I did it by hand and it is very fast.

Use your marker to draw in your clock face.  I decided to add numbers to this one.  I also used the wrong side of the button because it gave me a flatter surface.

Layer the button and flower over the join in the elastic and stitch through all thicknesses to secure.  I used the green sharpie to colour over the white thread too.  As a safety note, I used a double thread and stitched the button on very securely.  Definitely do this if you are making this for a toddler.

Yo yo headband tutorial

I have wanted to do different things with yo-yo's for awhile now and thought this a likely project. I hope you enjoy it too! It was very quick and easy. I will be making a couple more I think.

These are the things you will need: a circle of fabric approx. 17cm diameter, a circle of felt (I would have used my pinking shears if I had them with me but just eyeballed the wobbly edge) approx. 5cm diameter, some pretty buttons, needle and thread, coloured thread if you want the top button to have a colour other than white.

Stitch in a long running stitch around the perimeter of the fabric circle about 5mm in from the edge (no need to knot the end of the thread). Leave a tail of thread where you started. I used a double thread for extra strength for the gathering stage and for sewing it on to the headband.

Do one tie and then pull the threads, gathering as you pull each end of the thread....

until it looks like this, all gathered in the middle. Whilst holding it tight, knot the thread and cut off the extra thread, leaving the needle end still attached.

Place decorative piece of felt and button(s) on top and stitch up through it all. Stitch through all layers to secure.

Stitch to headband securely underneath.

This is with one button and...

this is with an exta decorative button with the contrasting thread. You could use the coloured thread for the whole project if it will be needed for the contrast on the last button.