Giraffe Pattern

Remember the Orange Curtain Project? Remember this cute giraffe?

I made up this pattern because I thought that gorgeous fabric needed to be a giraffe. So now he's one of our favorite stuffed animals around the house. I have been meaning to share the pattern, but I'm only just now getting to it. It's available in my etsy shop now: giraffe pattern along with the last of the orange crafts for sale.

Made one? I'd love to see: Add it to the wewilsons pattern pool.

Orange Number 25: Watercolor Journal - Orange Curtain Project Complete!

Finally, you say. Enough orange. Okay, okay, I'm done! (confetti canons, please.)



Check out this simple little watercolor journal. I made it by fusing (hooray for Wonder Under!) some vintage and repurposed fabrics to a thin chipboard and then sewing handcut watercolor paper into the cover on my sewing machine. So simple, gorgeous.




I've been trying to use some of my neglected supplies, which is what lead to this idea. I have tons of watercolor paper and very little time to paint, so I thought I'd make these for etsy. Of course, now I'm in love with them and am imagining little watercolor illustrated books that I simply must make. I'm sure I'll make some more of these in the future.

I got the basic idea for this simple book construction from Rachel Simonsen, check out her tutorial!

To see all the manifestations of this oh-so-lovely curtain, click on the tag below that says Orange Curtain Project, or the flickr badge!

Orange Number 24: marigold

This was one of my first ideas for the orange fabric, I just didn't know how to do it. I decided to give Wonder Under a try and this is what I came up with. The whole project actually involved very little sewing, since the flower is attached to the stem by glue and a plastic straw. Like many projects, this should really have been a prototype for another better, less stalky, flower, but alas, nap time is only so long.

I'm a big fan of the Wonder Under though, and it's making me think about some applique projects I'd like to try... If only I can finish this orange project! One left!

I'm also working on a few ideas for my etsy shop to make a little extra Christmas money. I'll share those if/when they materialize.

Orange Number 23: purse

I've been carrying around my market bag as a purse ever since I finished it, which has some obvious problems. So I decided I just needed to whip up a new bag during nap time. I kind of made it just like the market bag. The lining and the straps are made from red twill.

Orange Numbers 21 and 22: Coasters

After coming back from vacation, I had lots of ideas for new projects I wanted to start, and I was loathe to return to the orange fabric. I wondered if anyone would notice if I just stopped at 20. But, I think it's important to follow through, so here I go.

I made two sets of 4 coasters, one set is a little smaller than the other. They are just two layers of the fabric, sewn together and then top-stitched. Nothing too fancy, but it makes good use of the rubber backing - skid proof and water resistant.

Orange Number 20: Shoes

I got this pattern from Craft via Make Art Not Trash, which is full of good upcycling links.

I used Whitney's suggestion and put the rubber side down on the sole, so no slipping. I didn't realize the straps were crooked until I was finished, which is pretty typical of me. I guess it wouldn't be too tough to fix it now, but I'd have to find my seam ripper, and that could take awhile...

I thought these would go on Etsy, but I guess I'm realizing I can't expect to make something well enough to sell the first time I try the pattern. But it was a pretty simple and fun pattern, so I may try it again in the future for Etsy. Though not with the Orange fabric because I'm running out!

We're going on vacation next week, and I thought it would be great to finish this project before we left. I've got the next four orange things cut out already, so it's possible. We'll just have to see how much time (and motivation) I have to sew this week.

Orange Number 18 and 19: pillow cover, and yet another sketchbook cover

I made this little pillow cover quickly last night. It lays so nice and tight - I was just so pleased with it. I may have to make a second.

I hope it isn't cheating to keep remaking the same thing - because here I am with my third version of the sketchbook cover. This was supposed to be like the second one with a few minor improvements to put on etsy - but i liked it so much more, I decided to keep it myself. Who knows, maybe etsy will still get one.

This one fits the journal a little more snugly. I also had a small pocket for an eraser above the pencil pocket. On the outside, I added a small pouch for holding other odd things that won't lay flat on the inside (oops, I forgot to sew the button on!). Plus, this version is blue and orange which is only my favorite set of complementary colors - how could I not keep it? So, remember the other two? I don't have a use for them, and they aren't sell-worthy. Anyone want one?

Orange Number 17: Giraffe!

This is a good one. I am thinking of naming him Sunkist, since I stayed up late randomly drinking orange soda while sewing him together. But we'll let L decide (sorry, this one isn't going on Etsy).

It was one of my first ideas, but I was a little nervous about tackling the whole making of the pattern. But after my bit of experience with elephant making, it came together pretty well with a few revisions. I have some ideas about how to make it even better (don't I always say that), and I may try to make some more one of these days in some fun fabrics for etsy. (My very own pattern - I've come a long way!)

Orange Numbers 15 and 16: sketchbook folios

Okay, my chronology is a little mixed up, because I actually made this first sketchbook cover last week sometime, but I wanted to wait to post it for a couple of reasons. The first one being that I didn't like it so much.





The little flap that holds the sketchbook is too thin and doesn't really account for the width of the book. Also, I decided I'd rather have the book on the right side rather than the left, and the pencil pocket is lumpy where it is, so I thought putting it on the "spine" of the cover might make the whole thing lay better...

So here is the second version:





I like this one much better, although I made it just a little too roomy. There's plenty of pocket space for tucking in notes and images for inspiration - so maybe I'll stuff it up soon.

I used to have a big corkboard full of images to look at when I painted (because artists should always have a visual base to draw from). Since I've scaled down my studio, I don't have one anymore, so I put some of my favorite images into a little book to tuck into the sketchbook case. I glued images to blue typing paper and then covered each whole page with contact paper, finally stitching all the pages together with a little yarn. You can see my Vuillard's showing here. I just love him.



I'm thinking of using the first one for a coupon organizer, except I never have any coupons... I might make some more like the second one to go on Etsy, we'll see.

The second reason I wanted to wait to post about these is because I have a whole new project in mind - but it will have to wait until I finish the orange project. 9 more to go!

Orange Numbers 13 and 14: Belt and Doll

I was thumbing through some of my supplies looking for ideas, when I saw two d-rings. I had already cut the hem off of the curtains thinking it would be better to take advantage of the crease than try to iron it out. So, here was the perfect use. One d-ring belt, 54" which may be a little long, I guess. It has contrasting blue lines sewn the length of the belt for a little extra detail.

Then, I wanted to make L a doll using the black apple doll pattern with a few modifications. I used orange wool yarn for the hair, then felted it and tried to fluff it up a bit - this only sort of worked. This is the first "person" doll I've made in a long time, and I thought it was fun. I think I'd like to do it again, a little better this time. Technically, it has very little of the orange curtain in it - it started out with more, but it was slowly whittled away for the sake of the final project (and maybe my sanity - I'm beginning to get weary of orange!). Anyway, I make the rules, so it counts.

Orange Number 11, and, quick - Number 12, too!

Okay, I had this little zippered pouch in mind because I had this extra zipper lying around. I had intended to make it for etsy, but I put it together so poorly, and the sewing machine is having fits with the rubber backing on the curtain - so it turned out functional but not all that cute. Oh well, it has a pretty lining.



Then this morning John was trying to get the squash bugs off of his zuchinni. The problem? His gardening gloves were too thick to handle the delicate leaves. He considered using a plastic baggie, but he thought it was too thin - he didn't want to have to "feel" the bugs. I happened to have the right weight fabric on hand, and in five minutes we had the perfect squash-bug-squashing-mitten. Ta da!

Orange, Numbers 9 and 10: clothes pin holder

Two of these snazzy pouches for holding clothes pins on your line. I usually just leave my pins on the line all the time, but the rain really wears them out fast. This cute contraption carries them as you zip down the line. One for etsy, one for me.

Orange, Number 6-8: Dish Soap Aprons

Okay, Okay. I know these are old lady crafts, but they're just too cute.

All three of these will be in the etsy shop, mine is still pinned together - I'll get to it later.

Orange, Numbers 3-5: Pin Cushions

Before :{


After :)


I made three of these cute little pin cushions. They're stuffed firm with poly fill and split peas. As you can see, I was in desperate need of one myself, but the other two will soon be in the shop on etsy.



ooh, I forgot to add, I got the pattern here.

Orange, Number Two - Coffee Press Cozy

I got this idea from craftlog a couple of years ago - very necessary if you drink your coffee slowly (as it seems I do). I used an old white towel on the inside, with one one layer of quilt batting in between to add a little extra insulation. We have six colors of fiesta ware, and this orange will help bring out my often-ignored-persimmon dishes.

The curtains are "thermal curtains," which means they have a rubber backing on them. That comes in handy here. Mostly, I've been ignoring that while making my list of things to make from the orange fabric, but I'd like to take advantage of the rubber side, too. Any suggestions?

p.s. check out my cool flickr badge on the left, that will take you to all the pictures of orange things as I make them.

Orange, number 1

Maybe it was the most obvious, but it was the first idea I had for my orange curtains - an orange softie! One orange section is detached and shows the embroidered citrusy-goodness inside. I had to photograph it on my turquoise plate from Polly Jones, because of this painting, which is also for sale on etsy.

25 Crafties from Orange Thermal Curtains

It all started with this orange vase of my grandmother's. It sits on top of our chiffarobe in our bed room which has light green walls, and lots of white furniture. We also have this lovely photograph from Gerald Fulkerson, of an orange flower. So I was convinced I needed to bring out some orange details in our bedroom.

When I saw these curtains, I thought I'd found the perfect orange accent.

Unfortunately, orange curtains make orange light, and orange light on green walls is yucky. Bummer.

So now I have these curtains, which I adore - what else can I do? I'm going to cut them up and make as many things out of them as I can. 25 things actually - at least that's the goal. I'll post my progress as I go, and, since a girl only needs so much orange, some of the little orange crafties will probably end up on Etsy. Orange you glad?