Totoro Summer Dress

© Melissa Gaggiano

    This Totoro summer dress has been waiting on the back burner for about a year. Finally it got made with a little help from my eldest. Technically it was her sewing project, but after a round with both the overlocker and sewing machine she gladly let me do the rest. Would you believe I got this made in one day?

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

Constructing Robecca Steam

Photography + doll design by Melissa Gaggiano

    At the request of my youngest I have been working on a handmade cloth doll based on Robecca Steam, of Monster High fame.

    I made the decision to work with felt fabric as it is a friendly material. When I say friends, I mean that you don't need to turn or burn edges because the material will not fray.

    The basic template was drawn up on paper before choosing the fabric. However many of the more decorative details are being designed as I go along with the fabric cutting. This makes the design and construction an ever developing journey. The idea that I started with is so completely different from where it will end.

A Flowery Project

    It has been quite a while since I've posted here. My mind is in transition phase and to be honest I am not sure where this particular blog fits, in the grand scheme. Hence the sporadic posting of late.
    In the mean time I wanted to share my latest creative output. I have been commissioned to make some handmade cards. Check out the work from that project.

Illustrations by Melissa Gaggiano.

Illustrations by Melissa Gaggiano.

Illustrations by Melissa Gaggiano.

Sweet Cloth Charity

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

    Yesterday I began work on a cloth doll I plan to donate to Softies for Mirabel. Today I finished embroidering the eyes and eyebrows, and attached the mouth. Tonight or tomorrow I will begin cutting out the pattern pieces, attach the hair and go from there.

Meet Millie

Millie doll design my Melissa Gaggiano.

    Yesterday I finished making a doll for my daughters to play will. I designed her from scratch and made her from fabric scraps from my craft box. My eldest has named her Millie.

Bon Appetit

    Finally! Finally, I was able to finish making a doll which had been conceived a couple of months ago. I had run out of some materials and was waiting for the right time to buy more. Well, that time has come. And now world let me introduce you to the cat doll Bon Appetit[named by my eldest].
    I managed to snap a couple of photos of Bon Appetit before she disappeared forever into my daughters land of fantastic wonder [translation - their bedroom].

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Softies For Mirabel

    For six years running Pip [nearly typed Pop] Lincolne, over at Meet Me At Mikes, has coordinated a charity event titled Softies For Mirabel. This is the third time that I have donated a homemade doll, and I chose this sweet little thing that I finished on the weekend....

    I couldn't possibly explain Softies For Mirabel so eloquently, but Pip's poster says it all quite nicely. Have a read of it to find out what Softies For Mirabel is all about.

The Doll, She Is Finished

    Okay, even I must say that was done in record time. I gave myself till the end of the week, and a day later the homemade doll is finished. Following is the progress...

The original sketch.

The doll in progress.

The doll is finished and seated.

Doll by Melissa Gaggiano.

A Lil Doll Making

    This afternoon, my eldest wanted to do some drawing, and she invited me to draw with her. So I did a silly little sketch of a female in swimming clothes.

    I thought the sketch would make a funny plush doll. So I drew up rough pattern pieces based on the illustration and I have begun sewing the doll. My aim is to only use materials that are already in my craft supply. I have already selected some buttons and have made the legs out of an old baby bib.

    Watch this space and we'll see if I can get this doll finished by the end of the week, hey.

 

Illustration by Melissa Gaggiano

Illustration by Melissa Gaggiano

Illustrations by Melissa Gaggiano

DIY Jigsaw Puzzle

    I have a real treat. I am going to show you how to make a quick and easy jigsaw puzzle. In fact it is so insanely easy to make it hardly requires instruction. And here it follows...



1. What do you need? An A4 sheet with perforated lines,
as used for homemade business cards.
You can get this from an office supply shop.



2. Draw your own unique illustration on to the A4 sheet.
Or alternatively, if you are not confident in your drawing skills
you can save and print this design on to your A4 sheet. 

3. Don't forget to  grab some textas and add some colour.

4. Following the perforated lines pull apart your A4 sheet.
Now watch your children have fun putting the jigsaw puzzle together.

Great Blinking Flights of Fire

Today I really want to talk to you about a fellow blogger who has being capturing my attention of late. Her name is Bec, and her lovely blog is Blinking Flights.

For those unfamiliar with Bec's work she handcrafts these really cute dolls and to boot — is a wonderful illustrator.

The thing that I like about Bec's style is the innocent, childlike quality. Her dolls are so cheerful and unique, especially as each comes with a swing tag character profile. Guaranteed — no two dolls will ever be the same.

Now, Bec has an online store that you can visit, if you follow this link. So check it out and you will find heaps of wonderful toys that would make an excellent gift for anyone — boy and girl; young and old.

Rachel

Yesterday I visited a friend, to give her a little gift package, which included a copy of Frankie magazine, some chocolates and a homemade doll. The doll is named Rachel, after the intended recipient that she was designed and made for.

Rachel is preparing for final high school exams, so this package was put together as a treat for that very reason.

Good luck with those exams Rachel. I know you will do just fine. Don't forget to breathe.

My Souzou Necklace

Yesterday I created a homemade necklace. The necklace came from a DIY necklace kit which Souzou sent me in the mail, after I had won one of their giveaways.

The necklace is so cute. I am going to be wearing it for a long while.

Homemade Money Box

Today I created a very cute, feminine money box for my baby girl, Gwen, using an empty baby formula tin.

Firstly, using an art knife I cut out a rectangular hole (roughly 5 mm x 4 cm) down the central point of the plastic lid that comes with the tin. I made sure the hole was long enough to take a 50 cent coin and wide enough for a $2 coin.

The cutout hole in the lid.

Secondly, after measuring up the wall of the tin with a dress makers tape measure I created a design in Photoshop and printed it off. In this case I required A3 paper for the design to fit the tin when completed.

My Photoshop design for the outside wall of the tin.

Thirdly, I crop my print out with an art knife and metal ruler. Then using PVA woodworking glue (I practically use this stuff for almost any art project that requires gluing), I attach the design to the outside wall of the tin cylinder, then allow to dry. 

The end result - a very pretty homemade money box.

Seam Star Without the Stress

Do you have an appreciation for fashion? Or perhaps you wish to enhance your wardrobe but do not feel confident in your sewing skills. I know how that feels, and was recently inspired to find blogs out there that can inspire and provide great advice on homemade sewing.

The world of fashion is changing and many people are wanting to return to the basics and be able to make their own garments. In the current economic enviroment this can be useful. I can also say that it is wonderfully satisfying having designed and sewn an outfit by oneself.

Below is a small blogroll of sites that cover fashion themes such as sewing, vintage styles. All of which can be useful for you if you are wanting a wardrobe more customised to your style and on a moderate budget.

Check out the following sites. You just might find something that you rather like.

• Pink Tucks
  
• The Sewing Divas
• Burda Style
• The Feed Dog
• Laura's Sewing Room

If you know of other blog sites that cover homemade fashion feel free to make a reference in the comments.