Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Help with a sewing project.

So my beloved friend, who I insist on calling Poodles if for no other reason that it rhymes with Noodles, is knocked up. And I couldn't be happier for her and her hubby (who got appointed my surrogate big brother many moons ago.)

They're having a little girl, who they plan to name Josie, some time in early December. I am, of course, putting my vast and general dislike of children aside because genetically speaking, the kid has absolutely zero chance of being unfun, uncool, or unclever. In fact, I fully expect her to pop out with an arsenal of snappy comebacks, witticisms and a hyper-advanced knowledge of writing, music and pop culture.

Poods (she LOVES it when I call her that) asked me if I'd be willing to take on a nursery-decorating project and when I saw what she had in mind, I said yes in less time than it took me to finish reading her e-mail.

Her plan is to use this etsy creation as inspiration:


She's given me a lot of leeway and said she wants cool fabric (none of this solid stuff) to spell out Josie. And it's up to me to figure out if I want to use ribbons, hooks, magic, etc, to get them to stick to the wall. Because I'm a hyper-achiever (over-achievers are the new underachievers. Hyper- is where it's at), I immediately sent her an e-mail featuring 38 different fabrics that I thought might fit with her color scheme.

Here's the catch. I have some idea of how to do this, but I'm not sure the best method.

I can trace big letters onto freezer paper for patterns, cut it out, sew them and stuff it, but I'm afraid they'll look lumpy and lame. And since I have big plans of being the world's coolest non-biological aunt, that simply won't do.

She said they didn't have to be soft, so I found this tutorial over at Jo-Ann's.

It seems like it'll work, but I'm half afraid it will be TOO easy. Because, apparently, I'm a glutton for punishment.

I'm not sure of the font I want to use, or the size of each letter, but I think I want them to resemble a whimsical version of these from Anthro _ maybe upper case, maybe lower?

Anyway, you guys are smart. Any ideas or suggestions on how to do this? Lemme know! And a preemptive thanks from me and Little J.

6 comments:

Ms. H said...

Dayyyyummmmmmmmmm!!!! That is friggin' cool!!!

okay...cruise with me as I adhd/brainstorm....

totally fabric letters:
you could find the font you want...put each letter in its own text box on the 'puter...blow 'em up and print them out. fold the fabric so you can cut two at once.
to make 'em 3D without being lumpy...cut a LONG strip of fabric a couple of inches wide...(if it's a stiffer fabric,maybe it won't 'give' as much?)...use it as the "edge" of the letters...sew it to the front...to the back...stuff...close. (if you're nervous about sewing curves...maybe a minimally-curvy font?)

if she wants the letters to dangle...wood letters may be too clunky?? unless you amp up the batting???

I know Joann's and Michaels/Hobby Lobby, etc. have those unpainted wood letters.....sometimes they're not AS cute as I'd like (I'm a font-freak) but maybe you could find some cute ones? you could always get some plain ones to serve as "spines" for your extra cute printouts...make the printouts way big and amp up the batting to fill in the corners.

wow. I just read my comment. I wasn't kidding...that was some serious adhd-brainstorming!! Hope it helped!! Feel free to use any of it...or none at all -- you won't hurt my feelings.

for long.

*grin*

(Now that I've completely visualized this process, I want to make some of these too!!!DammitToHell why is Hobby Lobby never open when I get creative!??!!)

Margie said...

Lowercase letters get my vote. And you know I'm not crafty, so that's about as much help as I can offer :)

Megan said...

Magnetic paint. It's actually an additive that you mix in and then you could apply magnets to the back of whatever you want to mount on the wall, whether they are plush or not. See the paint additive here: http://www1.ecxmall.com/stores/lyt/Search.bok?category=Magnetic%20Paint

Anonymous said...

OMG, have I mentioned you guys kick ass? Like, big time. Ms. H... Our sisterhood continues! Megan... I cannot believe magnetic paint hasn't yet entered my life. If it's as transformational as 3 suspect, I will have only you to thank. And Margie... I think you may be right. But a lowercase I is going to be tricky... Much to think about. Thanks ladies!

Bayjb said...

It was so nice to meet you at BlogHer! I prefer lower case letters for kids. It's just cuter. I just want kids so I can have chalkboard paint on one wall and go to town!

http://www.myeverydayadventures.com

Unknown said...

i haven't been asked to make anything for babie. do they think i'll spike it with whiskey?