Pattern Making #2
So, as promised I’m giving you guys a little peak at my ‘real’ process whenever I need to pattern a project from scratch. Since spring is soon upon us - and I still have a hilarious plethora of quilt squares - I decided to tackle a project a project that I’ve had on my mind for a long time: quilted Easter Bunnies!
In complete honesty, I do have an ulterior motive for patterning a new stuffed rabbit: I need one for a future project involving my ongoing mission in up-cycle. Stay tuned for those developments later!
Now this style of pattern making (what is essentially the longer version of cloning your clothes) can be used for other projects outside of clothing; I personally use most for two reasons: copying my clothes, and drafting original designs. The former is definitely the most time-consuming between the two, with a single new plushie taking somewhere between 8-10 hours. (Designing clothes from scratch takes even longer as you can imagine- and ironically enough, “cloning” designs cuts down only very little of that time)
Because drafting from scratch can require a touch of trial-and-error, this is the reason you need some kind of scrap-paper you can use for the early stages:
Traditionally folks doing at-home sewing would use newspaper to cut their early drafts, though this was something I personally never really cared for. I don’t know how but I always managed to get smudged in ink no matter how careful I was!
Furthermore, it’s actually pretty hard to find a newspaper anywhere outside of having a subscription for one (I never had one to begin with and my parents canceled theirs years ago). So in recent years, I’ve been saving up any packaging paper I receive for deliveries - typically from Amazon purchases, as they still use a stiff paper to pack lighter-weight objects, and even in places like shoe-stores and boutiques.
Basically, anywhere that uses a brown or white paper one level up from tissue-paper, keep it and set it neatly aside for later! The rule of self-sufficiency still rings true today: waste-not, want-not (and pinch a penny every chance you get).
Even as you build your reserves of cheap drafting paper, remember to work methodically - which means have your calculator at the ready to do some basic math. Working slowly and keeping track of your numbers will keep you from making unnecessary cuts and potentially wasting your paper.
Although, if you do happen to cut the wrong measurements, never fear: with some tape and the largest scraps you’ve got left, you can add on a little extra length and width, or make some modifications if need be (such as adding markers for darts).
But, since we are working on a stuffed rabbit this time around, we’ll save that little demonstration for later…
Once you have your rough draft ready to go (…that reminds me- I’m behind on mom’s next novel…), you’ll need to make a small mock-up on any scrap material you’ve got left in your stash.
Now, this is where the process deviates significantly when you’re making clothes vs. when you’re making a toy. The former is going to require a few more steps and possibly a little more cash depending on what it is you’re going for; in my opinion, it’s those extra steps that set apart the “home-made” from the “custom-made” if you catch my drift.
As for stuffed toys however, there’s only one serious rule that you must follow as you tidy up your pattern: never use your best fabric for an early draft. You will regret it later, trust me!
On the other hand you also need to exercise a little careful planning when picking your materials for the first few drafts. Different weaves and different fibers are always going to fall, drape, move and just act in different ways from each other. Your material needs to reflect the qualities you want most in your final product; in my case, I’m looking for something that is easy to care for and clean - child-friendly, because whenever you show a youngling anything new they immediately want it for themselves - so sturdiness needs to factor into the equation as well.
Naturally, quilter’s cotton is ideal for this project, and matches the aesthetic I have in mind for the final refashioning project I’m working towards. Hence why I’m employing the use of my many, many, many spare cuts of quilt squares I still have left. (This is why I just donated like $400 worth supplies to my local reuse center - and there’s still more going!)
From here the actual sewing is something of an exercise in trial-and-error; at this point you’re not re-inventing the wheel (use generous seam allowance, clip the curved edges, press your pieces, etc. etc. etc.) it’s more like you’re discovering the instructions in real-time.
Finding the sewing process that works for you and is the most efficient in your work space is going to make future projects much more manageable, and even run a little bit faster. My fellow theater-lovers will recognize this wisdom. The importance of rehearsal cannot be overstated.
And with that, we now have a few cute little bunnies just chilling away in the studio!
I honestly like the idea of a floppy-bunny with long limbs and long ears, because I know a lot of kids still like to flail their dolls around. (shoo, I was flailing this girl around for like 5 minutes straight!)
But I feel like her proportions as-is are a tad off for the look I have in my head, so we will work that pattern at a later date.
The second design, with his fuller-figure, is the better fit with the refashioning I plan to tackle, so that is the pattern we’ll stick with and copy onto the “good stuff” in preparation for the final step: a refashioned bunny! I already plan to change up the sewing steps in a few places, so after a few more practices I think I’ll have my technique down cold.
EEE! I’m so excited to show you all the final refashion! I’m hoping it turns out just like I envision it - we shall see!