Denim Teddy Bear - a clothes upcycle

Continuing my clothes upcycling challenge for 2015, I wanted to try something new.

I found this pattern and instructions for a teddy bear so thought I'd give that a go.  I haven't really made many soft toys before and I found this one a challenge.  It was larger than I'd expected (about 40cm (16") tall)- the photos on the pattern had nothing to compare the size too and I'd just assumed it was smaller since the author said she'd made 2 'little' bears! Oops!

Anyway - I printed and cut out the pattern pieces, hoping to get it all out of a denim skirt 

and the co-ordinating fabric from the scraps left over from this project. 

However, I had to grab another pair of denim shorts to cut all the denim pieces I needed. 

I also had to unpick the pockets from the skirt to get that extra fabric. This resulted in a small hole that needed a quick patch, which has ended up on the back of one of his arms - but it all adds to the character of the bear I think!

I chose to use a triple stitch setting on my machine for all the bear's seams for extra strength. I know how roughly kids can treat their bears and didn't want any stuffing coming out!

This stitch is really strong (but not great if you need to unpick any mistakes, of which I may have made a few....)

The pattern is a free download of several pages. The instructions are quite sparse. 

The author does note that the project is not for beginners. 

I thought that I'm not a beginner sewer so I'd be OK, but I am a beginner making soft toys, so I did find it challenging to piece the bear together - putting the odd piece on the wrong way round and then having to unpick and re-stitch! The instructions don't make it clear which parts match up sometimes and you need to have knowledge of soft toy pattern pieces and shapes to understand it. 

Having said that - all the pieces fit together beautifully, when I got them the right way round, and I'm super happy with the resulting bear.

There were squeals of delight from my girls when they came home from school and saw the bear and they both said they want to buy it from the school stall in October. The rate they're going, they want to buy the whole stall!

Anyway - my youngest was happy to pose for pictures with the bear, so here are some more.

If you liked this project - there are heaps more upcycles here on my blog - from my Upcycle Tutorials to over 600 clothes upcycling projects from hundreds of different blogs in my ongoing linky party and my big project from last year - an ebook of Eco-friendly shopping bag tutorials and patterns.

Please keep coming back as each week I'll be adding more clothes upcycles!

For now, Happy Upcycling!

Bag and elephant from shirt and shorts - starting my clothes upcycling challenge 2015

I've settled back in from our big holiday now and am back into sewing - in particular I've started my big clothes upcycling challenge for 2015.

I started out with this shirt and pair of shorts.

I had decided previously what I wanted to make - this Reversible bag, a free pattern and tutorial from Very Purple Person.

I wanted to use the pockets on the clothes in the bags.

So it meant being a little creative in my pattern placement and cutting.

The template is free and simple to print and stick together. The instructions are also clear and straightforward with pictures and drawings to help.  It's a nice simple bag, and I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

 Of course there was fabric left over, so I wanted to try and use it to make something else.

I've so many patterns and tutorials on my Pinterest boards, that I have decided to make use of these for this clothes upcycling challenge.

This time I chose an Elephant Softie, using this free pattern from Made by Enginerds.

Again the template is free and easy to print and use.

It's a very simple elephant to make, and the tutorial is nice and clear with good photos. I'm really pleased with this cutie - my girls have given him the definite seal of approval and want to make ones for themselves now!

The elephant and bag look cute together - maybe I can sell them as a set?

The last of the remnants of this shirt and pair of shorts I have deconstructed into parts I may be able to use - zips, buttons, labels and fabric scraps:

And the seams etc I'll keep to use for stuffing for something!

Overall, I'm very happy with the start of my Clothes Upcycling Challenge for 2015. 

 I hope you'll keep on coming back to see what I make each week from my selection of old clothes!

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Or check out my free tutorials right here on the blog - there are over 100 and more are being added all the time!

Sock Lion - more clothes upcycling

After my success a couple of weeks ago making my first sock monkey, I was keen to have a go at another sock upcycle.

This time I tried a sock lion. I followed this pattern  which was nice and easy to follow.

These are the socks I used.

I didn't use the whole length - so I still have a section from both socks around 20cm (8") long left over, which I'm sure can be used in another future project!

The sock lion was a little more complicated than the basic sock monkey I made - just for the extra features on the face, and of course the mane!

Before I put the mane on - I was a bit worried. the pattern said that it should now look like a lioness...

I wasn't convinced!

But now that he has his gorgeous pink and purple mane,

He definitely looks more lion-like don't you think?

And I'm sure he and the sock monkey will get along very well!

So which sock upcycle do you think I should try next?

Take a look at my sock upcycling pinterest board for the ideas I've collected so far. Or if you have any other suggestions or links please leave me a comment!

If you're interested in upcycling and sewing - please do take a look at my new e-book too - just released this week, it's great value with 5 detailed patterns for a complete set of eco-friendly shopping bags, including a designer handbag made from jeans to carry them all in!

Thank you! and happy upcycling!

Jill

My first ever sock monkey - another great clothes upcycle idea!

I've wanted to try making a sock monkey for a while now, but since we live in the tropics, we don't wear socks very much and I haven't really had any 'spare' to use!

So when I collected my pile of clothing from the school carnival with the intention of upcycling them all to sell at next year's carnival, I made sure to include some socks in what I collected.

This pair seemed just perfect for a monkey, so I found a pattern to try here and set to work cutting, stitching and stuffing.

This is all that was left over at the end!

I'm very pleased with how he turned out - and I know my girls are going to love him!  

There is such a variety of sock 'creatures' to make - just take a look at my 

Sock Upcycling Pinterest Board 

for some that I've found so far.

They're quite easy to make too - so I think this is something I'm going to teach my girls and they can help me make some friends for this little guy!

Have you ever made a sock monkey..or other sock creation?

Jill

More Angry Birds

Last week I made a plush Angry Bird at the request of my girls.

Well to be honest - it wasn't the one they requested, but just a red 'test' bird.

My girls had each chosen a different bird they wanted - and having decided it was a bit too tricky for them to make themselves, I made them while the girls were at school:

Yellow for the elder daughter:

And black for the younger one:

Another thing ticked off my list for the week and more scraps used up - including the last of my stuffing!

The tutorials and patterns for making all the Angry Birds I got from Obsessively Stitching here.

I have to say it was lovely to sew at my nice 

newly organised sewing desk - 

and use my fancy schmancy new Thread catcher!

I think the birds like sitting up there too - but I'm sure as soon as my daughters get home from school, these little birdies are going to be flying away!!

Angry Bird!

The last part of my sewing desk reorganisation has had to wait a couple of days as I enjoy the last of the school holidays with my daughters.

One thing they wanted to do is to try to make their own Angry Bird soft toys!

I found some fabulous patterns and tutorials at Obsessively Stitching.

I made this first red bird myself to test out the pattern 

The girls have now chosen which ones they want - we'll see how we go with me helping them to make their own!

I have to say the tutorials are great! So if you fancy making your own little Angry Bird - head on over to Obsessively Stitching, have a rummage through your scraps and get stitching!!

My sewing desk reorganization will be finished very soon!!! The best bit is the last bit - stay tuned!!!