Black Sheep, White Sheep

I am continuing with pattern testing this week. All this is leading to the Cynthia's Ark Safari workshops. Where you can come and spend some time into the shop making a soft toy animal from the animal patterns  we have in stock. So why am I making some up. There is a few reasons for me to do this. They are-
1 . Pattern test- To find out how easy the item is to make.
2. How well written the pattern is. Some patterns can be overwritten making them hard to understand though what they want you to do is easy to do if written up simply.
3. My theory is if I can make it, most other people can make it. Plus it helps me when someone needs help making up the pattern and they are stuck. I am already familiar with the pattern so I find it easier to help others.
4. It is good to check the patterns fabric requirements and finished size. I know some patterns can have extra fabric listed and some patterns will only have exactly what you need listed. This is good for me to know when cutting fabrics for kits or for the customer's.
5. Lastly I need a shop sample to show you what the kit fabrics look like when they are made.

So the pattern I am making this week is a special requested by my LSH (long suffering husband) who is a big fan of Shaun the Sheep. That means I am making Melly & Me Black Sheep, White Sheep. I have made a few of their patterns Oliver Hoot, Dee Dee the Dolphin and Baby Bunnies. This one is a little more challenging than the others just for the fact there is a zip involved.

The first parts were no trouble - cutting and sewing legs, arms, body, head and ears and then cutting them out and stuffing. In all making the sheep wasn't too bad. The scary part was making his little suit. Working with the minkee was a little challenging and that zip. I managed to get it in but it could've been neater and more even.

 Considering I can count the number zips I have used in projects on 1 hand, I thought I did ok. It fitted and it works. What more can I ask for!

Time to move on to the next project but remember if you want to make your own sheep the pattern is available on my shop at Cynthia's Ark.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

More Animals are moving into Cynthia's Ark

There hasn't been any decent sewing time this week. Just a few stitches in my Farmer's Wife Sampler binding. My Double Wedding Ring Bed Runner did get pinned. So what have I been up to then. I have had 2 new shipments of soft toy patterns, a couple were top up stock like Funky Friends Factory Larry the Lion and Melly & Me Black Sheep, White Sheep. The rest are new and we all love something new, don't we!
There is 4 Ric rac patterns, Baxter, Rumble & Clomp, Hedgehog Circus and their latest pattern Elliot.

I am thinking I will have to make some of the Hedgehogs for the shop.
The other shipment was full of Funky Friends Factory patterns. More Larry the lion patterns plus we now have Plattie Playpus, Diggles the Dragon and Puppy Dog Pete.

I think there will be a shop sample sewing session so we can put some kits together. Some fabric selections for 2 new patterns and one that I had a special request for.

Tune in next week for the sewing session post. We will see how easy these patterns are to make.

                                            Until Next Time

                                            Keep Stitching

                                             Cynthia

Unexpected Visitors

Just working on the laptop printing some Inklingo shapes for my Castle Wall project which I have done very little on when I looked out the french doors next to me. I was surprised by the neighbours sheeps looking in my doors. The cheeky buggers think the grass is greener on our side of the fence. They are not the only ones that like our grass there is a rabbit who loves to visit when it is hungry.

I don't think Cisco was too happy with them. He was good, he didn't over reacted but you can see he is on guard.

Until next time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia