Red, Black and White Infant Mobile

 According to research, young babies' eyes are attracted to high contrast patterns and in colors red, black and white. Mobiles designed with that in mind grab their visual attention, promote brain development, keep their mind in pursuit while getting their diapers changed for instance and will therefore work very much to your advantage.

 This is the high contrast pattern mobile I made for my infant son few years ago. I've no sewing patterns or step-by-step guide to offer this time but only some ideas for inspiration.

All stuffed shapes here is hand stitched. I already have red and white fabric from previous projects but was out of black so I cut from an extra black shopping bag instead.

Cube

Pyramid

 Star 

Rainbow, Moon, Heart and Sun

Lady Bug

To hold everything together I made this round frame below out of  2 pieces corrugated board about a foot in diameter.

It was then covered in cloth ribbon after every string was attached.

An infant mobile basically made out of scratch.

No Sew, No Glue, Fabric Pouch ( and it's not Furoshiki)

A no sew and no glue fabric (and tulle) pouch.

This project would work best on fabrics that won't fray much when cut. Although, any woven fabric will fray at least a little especially after washing, there are those that fray less than others. It would help to observe how the knit of the fabrics behave when inside a fabric store. Cutting the edge with pinking shears would also reduce fraying.

Materials:

1. fabric (I used flannel)
2. tulle (this is optional)
3. lace or string
4. pair of scissors
5. a ticket puncher

(1)Fold a triangle on your fabric and (2) cut. (3) Make another triangle fold to (4) prepare for cutting.

 (5) Cut a quarter of a circle. (6) Take your ticket puncher and start working on your holes. (7) The holes should be evenly-spaced and even-numbered. (8) Take your tulle and prepare to cut.

 (9) The tulle should be cut a little larger than the first fabric. (10)Fold it several times and (11) cut a round edge to make pretty ruffles. (12) Prepare to slide the lace or string through the holes.

 (13) Lay the two fabrics in place and start working on the lace. (14) Cut the lace several centimeters from the last hole. (15) Tie ends together and begin sliding the second lace at the opposite hole of where the first string came in. (16) Tie the ends of the second lace. Voila, pull the strings and your pouch is ready to go.

A little gift bag in time for the holiday.

Satin and Tulle Topiary

 DIY a frilly but simple-to-make satin and tulle topiary from scratch.

This will make a beautiful wedding centerpiece and will add a subtle romantic touch to the occasion.

To make a satin flower ~

You will need:

• satin fabric
• candle
• hot glue
• pearls,beads or accent gems

 Procedure:

• Cut satin into several sized circles.
• Cut 5 or more snips in one circle to create a ring of petals.
• Melt the edges by carefully burning slightly over flame.
• Add a drop of hot glue in the center of each petal pinching carefully underneath.
• Hot glue the different petal layers together.
• Add a shiny accent piece.

To make an improvised  topiary stand ~

You will need:

• sturdy stick~ bamboo or any wood
• cement~quantity depends on number of stands to make
• plastic cup with cover
• paper with decorative print or colorful tissue paper
• gold paint spray (optional)
• metallic wire twist tie

Procedure:

• Spray-paint stick.
• Mix cement and pour into plastic cup.
• Using a craft knife, cut an x on the cup cover.
• Insert stick through hole.
• Stick in cup with cement, let stand.
• Remove cup cover when cement mixture stabilizes and bamboo stick can stand on its own.
• Attach ball of paper scraps at the top of stick.

Special Note: Using paper scraps in place of styro-ball is more economical and kind to our environment.

• When completely dry, cover cement part with matching decorative print or colorful tissue papers.

Cutting the Tulle Fabric~

• Cut tulle into strips of about 2" x 14".
• Fold repeatedly crosswise by about 2 inches wide (per fold).
• Trim with a half-round curve shape (or you may want a v-shape).
• Unfold tulle, never mind imperfections.

Final touch: assemblage~

• Gather bottom edge of tulle strip by running a needle and thread through, pressing tulle to the end of the thread till both side edges of the fabric meet creating a flower shape, secure thread with several overlapping knots.
• Hot glue one tulle flower onto the bottom of one satin flower.
• Attach the fabric flowers onto the scrap paper ball with hot glue till it's completely covered.