Make Your Own Childrens Belt

Yesterday I dusted off my sewing machine in order to make some things for our boys that have been on the list to do for quite some time now. Top of my list was to make a belt. Here is the completed belt....

Isn't it great?! To make one of these you will need:
-1m 1" printed grosgrain ribbon (I found mine here)
-1m of 2mm thick coordinating webbing, 1" (I found mine here)
-Coordinating thread
-Belt Buckle (I found mine here)

I managed to source all of these supplies from eBay but you should also find them at your local craft store/habadashery. So let's get started!

1.  First we need to secure the ribbon to the webbing. Hold this in place and sew using a topstitch close to the edge.

2.  See down both sides of the ribbon to secure.

3. Next we need to attach the belt buckle to the webbing...

4. Follow the instructions on your manufacturers packaging to attach the belt. Mine didn't come with any instructions so this is how I done mine... Insert the webbing through the little space near the teeth. I folded mine over so it would give the buckle something sturdy to sink the teeth into!

5. Next I covered up the buckle with a piece of felt and hammered the teeth down to secure. Test it by pulling it! It shouldn't come loose at all!

6. Lastly you need to finish off the other end of the webbing. To do this I used a little fray check along the edge. But also sewed a little box with a cross in it just in case!

And we are finished! Whoooo hoooo!

I'm planing to make loads more of these for my little ones! If you make one using my instructions be sure to tag @ or # houseofwonderland as i would love to see how it turned out!

Have a magical week!

Bear Cot Mobile Tutorial

Today marks 32 weeks of ickle bump! So with it only being 8 weeks until baby makes his entrance I spent the last weekend working on a brand new cot mobile for him.  I thought I would share with you how I made it so if you fancied making your own you can! YAY!

I'm creating quite a modern(ish) nursery so when I saw these knitted fabric packs by designers Bob & John knitwear I had to have them!  

Jonie was very helpful and sent over a photograph of all the packs she had available so I could choose 3 suitable packs.  These retail at £8 a pack or you can get 3 packs for £20.  It's insanely great value and the quality of the fabrics are just amazing.  I found I needed 3 packs to make 5 bears for my mobile and I have some scraps left over which im planing to make some booties with too!

After finding the perfect fabric I began my search for a simple modern bear template to use.  I came across Warren the Charity Bear on Pinterest.  I printed the bear pattern at A6 size to fit on my fabrics.  I used the main body piece and the tall muzzle.  Once I had printed and cut out my pattern I matched up two co-coordinating pieces of fabric and drew my pattern in sharpie on the back.  I pinned it together and then sewed it just to the left of my outline.  I found this method worked best and trimming after as the knitted fabric and smallness of the bears made it a little fiddly to do.  

As you can see I left a little gap for turning.  Once my bear had been cut out and turned I stuffed the bear with The Craft Factory Supersoft Toy Filling.  I then hand sewed the little gab closed and repeat the process to make as many bears as you want :)

After you have finished making your little bits you need to give them their own little personalities!

For the muzzle I attached a scrap piece of interfacing to the back of a scrap piece of cotton fabric and embroidered my nose in brown embroidery floss.  I added little ric rac trip, 3mm coloured buttons, tulle and other craft supplies to give them their own little characters! 

Ta Dahhh! Here are the completed bears I made.  I'm very happy with how they turned out.  I think the fabrics and characters work so well together and they look quite modern and geometric which I love.

After the bears I crocheted up some little balls to tie onto the sting.  I made 5 little balls in assorted DK yarn using a 2.5mm crochet hook.

To make the balls simply follow this pattern:

Row 1: Magic Circle, Make 6 Single Crochets into the circle. (6)

Row 2: Make 2 Single Crochets into every stitch. (12)

Row 3: Make 2 single crochets in the first stitch and 1 single crochet into the second stitch.  Repeat this to the end (18)

Row 4-7: Make 1 single crochet into every stitch.

Row 8: Skip 1 stitch, single crochet 2 stitches.  Repeat to the end (12)

Stuff your little ball now :)

Row 9: Skip 1 stitch, 1 single crochet.  Repeat to end (6)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

After making these balls I also made 3 more using the same method but working with embroidery floss and a 1.75mm crochet hook.  After making all my balls I grabbed a wooden embroidery hoop and secured my bears and balls to the hoop using sewing, super glue and tiny knots. 

I am super please with how it all came out.  I am planning to add a musical box to it along with a stand to make it spin! (I like a challenge! :D)  I hope this little tutorial is of use to you.  Please share anything you do make as I'd love to see how it came out :)

Have a magical day :)
Tess