Nelson the Elephant

For an imminent arrival of a family baby, I have made this unique soft toy, which has been temporarily named 'Nelson'.  (Inspired by the childrens programme 64 Zoo Lane.)

I used the pattern from one of my favourite books, 'Sew a Metre' . (Oh wow! on adding this link I have just made the fab discovery of a sequel!) If I can recommend one book for budding crafters it is this one.  As the name suggests, all the projects require one metre (or one yard as it is an American book) or usually less (great for stash busting too) and covers a wide variety of projects, from bags, skirts for kids, toys, home decor.  Instructions are clear and precise and although requiring some sewing knowledge, I think it is a great book for beginners as well as more experienced sewists.  As the projects are all fairly small scale, they are fairly quick and are a great way of practising techniques and skills.

This is baby elephant from the book and although a little fiddly, if you take your time the end result is superb.   I think he will look great in the nursery and will alsop be safe enough for young ones to play with.  With this is mind, I purposefully made French knots for the eys as opposed to buttons, purely for safety.  I am especially proud of the knots as previously have had no success with them - they both came out perfectly and I fully expected to have to turn him into a winking elephant!  I can't offer any advice as I simply don't know how I achieved them!!

I used some blue fabric from my stash (baby is a boy!) and chose to use a few scraps of elephant print cotton to make the linings for the ears - think this adds a quirky touch. 

Here's hoping that the new owner loves him...If you too want to send one to a loved one or eagerly awaited arrival, please email fuzzyfingers@btinternet.com or inbox me on Facebook.

Elephants and humans

I just had to run up another Sorbetto top in this quirky elephant print fabric.  In a neutral beige colourway, I thought this could be worn with similar neutrals, my uniform de rigeur - jeans - and layered with a cardi of any colour.

I had a steep learning curve and now fully understand why more fabric is needed for one-directional prints!!  Sometimes its the only way to learn...As I splashed out and bought one whole metre of the fabric, I had to get inventive to avoid having either the front or the back of my top with upside down elephants.  I decided to to sew an additional strip at either side of the fabric before folding to create the necessary extra width.  As these are next to the side seams, they are somewhat hidden.  Not too bad a job...

I was also brave when sewing the bias binding at the neckline.  As it was 1 inch wide instead of the 1/2 inch suggested, I thought I would definitely be able to catch both front and back in one sweep.  Ta da...success!


I also added two lengths of cream lace to each side of the central pleat and sewed this through both the edge of the pleat and the front.  This has the added bonus of securing the pleat and making ironing that much easier.  Marvellous!!

On another note, I am losing my faith in human kindness/courtesy, call it what you will.  Is it so very hard for people to make eye contact, smile, hold doors open, register other road users??  Are these people happy?  Is everyone so full of their own self-importance that they can't spare the seconds/minutes for these small acts of civility?  My hopes were raised this morning when a dog walker greeted me with a smile and a cheery 'morning' on my return from the school walk - only to be dashed later on by a lady driver who seemed to forget the rules of the road and someone who let a shop door close right in front of me .  Do you find this problem or are people happier in your part of the world?  OK, enough, rant over.


On a positive note, Mr B is currently enjoying the luxury of a French carp fishing holiday courtesy of an Australian businessman.  Largely thanks to my writing an excellent recommendation, I nominated him as a deserving member of HM Armed Forces and guess what?!... he was picked!!  And  now I am a fishing widow again... although strictly speaking its my own fault.


We are both astounded and overwhelmed that a previously unknown individual would wish to make such a massive appreciative and generous gesture and I must say, it does restore my faith in (some people's) human kindness.