The Sewing Place
The Emporia => Fun with Fabric => Dolls and Toys => Topic started by: Ploshkin on May 23, 2020, 10:53:48 AM
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Eons ago I used to make loads of stuffed toys (as teenagers @Flobear and I had a bit of a cottage industry) but it is more than 20 years since I have made anything and I have only ever made things in fur or felt which are very forgiving.
Anyway, my neighbours recently started fostering. Up until now they have just done weekend respite for other foster carers for two 12 year old girls. About a month ago they took in a 4 year old girl on an emergency placement. She came with very little stuff and of course there are no shops open. Neighbours with children rallied round and put together some bits for her and I had some things from when my niece and nephew used to come and stay. they're in their 20s now.
About 3 weeks ago DH told me that the little girl had told him that she wanted a dinosaur so I thought 'no problem'. I found a pattern for cotton fabric and after a bit of searching realised that good old Bumbleberries quilting fabric was a good dinosaur look. All the pieces are backed with fusible woven interfacing for robustness. I was delighted to find a pair of googly eyes in my button box, goodness knows why I had them because I've never used safety eyes for anything before. I washed an old pillow with a polyester filling and it was perfect for stuffing. Just as I started to stuff I realised that one of the eyes had a crack right across the surface. Damn, blast and botheration!
I searched on e bay for some more googly safety eyes that weren't in China or in packs of 500 and found some in London. After receiving an e mail to say they had been posted they arrived 10 days later! It has taken me forever as my hands didn't like using a needle in confined spaces to stitch on the legs so I could only manage one every couple of days.
But, I have finally finished it - the moment has probably now long passed and my neighbour told me yesterday that the girl had just received a box of her things from home.
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I'm sure she will be delighted @Ploshkin, however much stuff she might have got from home - and he may end up being a symbol of a very welcome change in her life. He is gorgeous. :*
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Lovely. She's sure to love him
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I think so too - he's lovely! I'm sure "the moment" won't be too late for her.
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That’s great @Ploshkin. I’m sure she’ll love it.
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That is FAB U lous! Im sure the lil girl will Looove it!
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Do you think has anyone ever made her anything before? That is one very special dinosaur and he looks very happy to be going to his new job. 0_0
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I think he's gorgeous @Ploshkin, and the colours look much nicer than they did on Skype.
Other TSPers may like the idea that Middle-sis suggested of leaving him on the doorstep (with foster-mum's knowledge) for the little girl to find. He could, like her, need someone to look after him!
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He's lovely - and that fabric looks just like scales. I'm sure the little girl will treasure him. <3
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I'm sure that little girl will love it to bits especially if she knows it was "born" specially for her
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He is a big hit. I left him in a bag on the door handle when they were out (neighbour knew about him) with a note, from him, asking if he could live with her because he scared the sheep. :)
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Ooh, that is wonderful! I'm sure he will have a 'special' place in her heart :loveit:
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Fabulous @Ploshkin . And wonderful googly eyes too. Now you have 498 googly eyes left you'll have to sew them onto everything! :D
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Just revisited this thread ... You are so talented @Ploshkin ... He is exquisite!
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He is fantastic @Ploshkin . I love his slightly concerned expression and the fabric is perfect! I’m sure she’ll take him to her heart. <3
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absolutely adorable! what a lovely thing to do for the child :-)
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Is anybody else suffering from moist eyes at this point?
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Is anybody else suffering from moist eyes at this point?
Oh hell yes!
The dinosaur is adorable and a kind, thoughtful gift.
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Is anybody else suffering from moist eyes at this point?
Totally.
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@Ploshkin He's a stunner! Fabulous material for body and spikes.
Thank you for making a child's heart sing. Magic stuff. :thumbsup:
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Gosh, I was surprised to see this thread pop up again. A year on foster child is still with my neighbours and is a happy, delightful 5 year old who loves dressing up and frequently appears on our yard in some very eclectic outfits ( imagine Spiderman meets princess in wellies). Stig is still very much in the picture. :)
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That's a cracking Stegosaurus @Ploskin. I'm sure it is dearly loved!
Jessie
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@Ploshkin While it's a shame to read she's still in care, it sounds like she's thriving which is the best news.
I'm sure Steggy will get a mention again when the next group of newbies have a love for the softies too. ;)