Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Super Hero Finger Puppets

Batman, Superman, Spiderman and Hulk fingerpuppets, handmade by Joanne Rich.
Batman, Spiderman, The Hulk, and Superman.

Following up from The Superhero Capes I made for my nephews' birthday, I made them some superhero finger puppets to go with their Batman and Superman books for Christmas.

Here are the close-ups of each puppet:

Spiderman felt fingerpuppet, handmade by Joanne Rich.
Spiderman, front.

Spiderman felt fingerpuppet, handmade by Joanne Rich.
Spiderman, back.

Batman felt fingerpuppet, handmade by Joanne Rich.
Batman, front.

Batman felt fingerpuppet, handmade by Joanne Rich.
Batman, back.

Superman felt fingerpuppet, handmade by Joanne Rich.
Superman, front.

Superman felt fingerpuppet, handmade by Joanne Rich.
Superman, back.

The Hulk felt fingerpuppet, handmade by Joanne Rich.
The Hulk, front.

The Hulk felt fingerpuppet, handmade by Joanne Rich.
The Hulk, back.



Friday, December 20, 2013

DIY Superhero Cape, Mask, and Cuff Set

Lighting Bolt & Golden Star

For my twin nephews' 5th birthday, I made them each a superhero cape — complete with superhero cuffs and masks. Even though I was really nervous, the fabric of choice was satin because my husband and I believed the shininess would give them extra super powers!

I wasn't too happy with the cape pattern I found online; the width was about the size of a bath towel. I wanted a cape that's big enough so that they can grab it, bring it over their shoulders, and cover their faces. So I made my own pattern, but it's really just a half circle.

Below are the instructions for the cape, mask, and cuffs:

**NOTE: The capes I made for the twins have two colours. Blue on one side and red on the other. And vice versa.

MAKING THE CAPE

MATERIALS:
  • 2 meters of Satin (1 meter for the front and 1 meter for the back of the cape)
  • Satin - in colours for the circle, star/lighting bolt, and initial
  • Iron-on adhesive for the initials, symbols, and circle
  • Iron-on interfacing for the collar 
  • Velcro
  • Scrap paper to help with satin stitching

STEP 1— CREATE YOUR PATTERN
  • Download the pattern.
  • Draw your pattern on Kraft paper and cut it out. For the collar tabs, don't forget to add an extra 1/2 inch for seam allowance.
Draw your pattern on Kraft paper, and cut it out.

Here are the symbols I used:
Print 1 for circle, 1 for star/lighting bolt, and 1 for the initial.
  • From your computer, print out the initial. Avoid cursive and serifs fonts for easy sewing.

STEP 2 — CUT OUT THE PIECES
  • Cut 2 half circles for the cape. One for the front, and one for the back.
  • Transfer the collar pattern (two are mirror images of each other) on to the interfacing, iron on the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric and cut it out. You should have 4 collar pieces in total (2 pieces are mirror images of the other). Set aside.
STEP 3 — SEW ON THE GRAPHICS
  • Draw the circle onto the paper side of the iron-on adhesive.
  • Iron the adhesive to the wrong side of the frabric .
Adhesive is iron on the wrong side of the fabric before cutting out the circle.

  • Cut out the circle.
  • Peel off the paper backing and iron it onto the cape.
  • Set your sewing machine to create a dense zigzag stitch (close together). Also referred to as a satin stitch.
  • To prevent buckling, slide a piece of paper underneath the circle. Satin stitch around the circle.
Back of the cape.

Front of the cape.
  • Repeat for the Star/Lighting bolt.
  • Repeat for the initial.
  • Remove the paper on the back.

STEP 4 — MAKE THE COLLAR
  • Pin the pieces right sides together.
  • Sew with a 1/2 inch all around, leaving the ends open.
  • Trim seam allowance to 1/4 inch (except for the opening), and clip around the curve edge.
  • Turn right side out, and iron.
  • Top stitch 1/4 inch all around, leaving the ends open.
  • Repeat for the other set.

STEP 5 — PUTTING THE CAPE TOGETHER
  • Pin the two half circles right sides together. 
  • Insert the collar, 1/2 inch from the "neck" edge.


Collar is pin 1/2 inch from the neck's edge.
  • Sew with 1/2 inch all around leaving a 5 inch opening on the bottom.
  • Clip around curve edge.
  • Turn right side out.
  • Iron and top stitch 1/4 inch all around.
  • Sew Velcro onto the collars.
Cape with top stitching along the edge.

The finished superhero cape.


MAKING THE MASK

MATERIALS:
  • Satin (left over from the cape)
  • 1/2 inch elastic (length according to your little one's head)
  • A safety pin
  • Iron-on interfacing
STEP 1 — COVERING THE ELASTIC (OPTIONAL)
  • Cut 1½ inch by the longest length the elastic will stretch.
  • Fold right side together and sew 1/2 inch along the edge.
  • Turn right side out and thread elastic through with the safety pin
  • Sew the ends to hold elastic in place. 
Ends are sewn to hold elastic in place.
 
STEP 2 — PUTTING IT TOGETHER
  • Begin with the pattern found here.
  • Transfer the pattern onto the interfacing
  • Add 1/2 inch seam allowance
  • Iron interfacing to the wrong side of fabric, and cut out the mask.
  • Repeat for the other side.

1/2 inch seam allowance added, interfacing iron on fabric, and cut out.
  •  Insert strap and pin right sides together.
Strap is sandwiched between the two masks, pinned, right sides together
  •  Sew 1/2 inch all around, leaving a 2 inch opening
  • Trim seam allowance to 1/4 inch (except for opening), and clip curve edges.
  • Turn right side out and iron
  • Hand sew the opening close
  • With white pencil crayon, draw the opening for the eyes
Use a light pencil crayon to draw the opening for the eye
  • Satin stitch around the opening of the eye.
  • Cut out the eye piece.
The finished superhero mask.

MAKING THE CUFFS

MATERIALS:
  • Satin (left over from the cape)
  • Iron-on interfacing
  • Iron-on adhesive
  • Velcro
STEP 1 — MAKING THE PATTERN
  • Measure the your little one's wrist to determine the size of the rectangle. Remember to overlap, and to add 1/2 inch seam allowance.
  • Shrink the star/lighting bolt to your desire size.
STEP 2 — CUTTING OUT THE PIECES
  • Draw 4 rectangles on the interfacing
  • Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric
  • Cut out the rectangles
  • Draw two star/lighting bolt on the paper side of the adhesive
  • Iron the adhesive to the wrong side of the fabric
  • Cut out the shapes
  STEP 3 —PUTTING IT TOGETHER
  • Peel off the paper backing and iron the shape onto the cuff.
  • To prevent buckling, slide a piece of paper underneath the shape. Slowly, begin satin stitching around the shape.
  • Remove the paper.
  • Pin two rectangles, right sides together.
  • Sew 1/2 inch all around leaving a 2 inch opening.
  • Clip off corners and turn right side out.
  • Iron and top stitch 1/4 inch all around
  • Sew on Velcro
  • Repeat for the other cuff
The finished superhero cuffs.


Superhero cape, mask, and cuff.
If you don't have time, and would like me to make it for you, you can purchase it here, on my Etsy Shop.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Kendrick Harding Rich Fund 2013

Kendrick Harding Rich (June 15, 2012 – December 16, 2012)







On December 17th, I donated 50% of the years' profits to the Ronald McDonald House Toronto. We stayed there for six months while he was treated at Sick Kids Hospital since we live almost two hours away. By staying at Ronald McDonald House, we were able to be at our son's bedside for extended periods of time, often well into the night.

Ronald McDonald House does an incredible job of taking care of families so they can focus on their children. The residence had extensive facilities from laundry to a courtyard with barbecues to a huge kitchen. Many children do not stay at the hospital during treatments, and they (and their siblings) had access to a gymnasium, games room, library and even a certified public school inside the building.

I strongly encourage you to support your local Ronald McDonald House through either donation or volunteer work (each week a different company came in to cook us all dinner!). Thank you all for helping me raise some money to give back to this incredible organization.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends Felt Finger Puppets for Izzy

The full set of Thomas the Tank Engine felt finger puppets handmade by Joanne Rich for her friends daughter.
Thomas and Friends felt finger puppet
Happy Birthday Izzy! After my friends' daughter saw the Dora the Explorer puppets I made previously, she requested Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends felt finger puppets for her 3rd birthday.

Here are close ups of each puppet I made:
Thomas the Tank Engine felt finger puppet handmade by Joanne Rich for her friends daughter.
Thomas

James felt finger puppet handmade by Joanne Rich for her friends daughter.
James

Percy felt finger puppet handmade by Joanne Rich for her friends daughter.
Percy

Sir Topham Hatt felt finger puppet handmade by Joanne Rich for her friends daughter.
Sir Topham Hatt

Back view of Thomas the Tank Engine felt finger puppets handmade by Joanne Rich.
Back View of the finger puppets
She played with them immediately as soon as she opened her present. Her mom asked her to say "Thank-you" but she kept playing, not hearing her mom. But that's probably the best "thank-you" of all.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Nursery Rhyme Felt Finger Puppets - Humpty Dumpty, Hey Diddle Diddle, Hickory Dickory Dock and the Three Blind Mice

My nephew's beginning to talk. And with really big words! So for his 2nd birthday, I made him a set of nursery rhyme felt finger puppets. I thought it'll be fun to have the characters accompany him during story time with mommy and daddy.

Here are the finger puppets I made for him - you can order your own for Christmas delivery individually or as a set from my shop. International delivery is cheap because they are light and usually fit in a letter envelope.

The very popular Humpty Dumpty:

Humpty Dumpty felt finger puppet handmade by Joanne Rich.
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
Humpty Dumpty felt finger puppet handmade by Joanne Rich.
Oh no! Humpty Dumpty had a great fall!

The very silly nonsense characters in Hey Diddle Diddle:
Hey Diddle Diddle felt finger puppets handmade by Joanne Rich.
The cat playing the fiddle? The laughing dog? Cow jumping over the moon? And the dish running away with the spoon? Super silly indeed!

Hickory Dickory Dock:
Hickory Dickory Dock felt finger puppets handmade by Joanne Rich.
The clock and mouse

The clock's hands are sewn in a way that make them moveable which I hope will be useful when he starts learning to tell time.

And finally the rhyme that everybody sings to, Three Blind Mice:

Three Blind Mice felt finger puppets handmade by Joanne Rich.
Three Blind Mice

Seeing the entire collection of puppets together before wrapping it up brings warm memories of when I learned these rhymes in school. I can't wait to make many more nursery rhyme puppets for my son, Halford, when he's a little older!

Don't forget you can buy these handmade felt finger puppets for your own little ones from my shop. Remember, 50% of profits will go to charity.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

DIY Cloth Diaper Cover with Fold Over Velcro Tab Pockets.


Handmade by Joanne Rich, this cloth diaper features Velcro tab pockets.


When my son was born, I was determined to cloth diaper. Researching online lead to many options, which lead to many confusions. What helped was when my friend lent me some of her cloth diapers, so that I can experiment what worked for me and what didn't. In the end, I preferred the following features on my cloth diaper cover:
  • Velcro tabs instead of snaps—it's quicker to put on.
  • Fold over pockets for the Velcro tabs—to protect laundry during washing.
  • Soaker pads that are not sewn permanently on to the diaper. I like the soaker pads to come apart freely in the washer. It washes cleaner, and if it's really soiled after many uses, it can be replaced. It dries faster too.
  • Simple to construct.
Here are instructions on how I made my own cloth diaper cover for my new born.

Materials

  • Polyurethane laminate (PUL)
  • Fleece
  • 1/2 inch wide elastics
  • Absorbent fabrics for the soaker pads (I use cotton flannel)
  • Safety Pins 
  • Velcro

Instructions

Print the pattern below, and join the pieces by lining up the arrows.
Handmade by Joanne Rich. Plan for cloth diaper with Velco tab pockets - Image 1 of 2

Handmade by Joanne Rich. Plan for cloth diaper with Velco tab pockets - Image 2 of 2

Handmade by Joanne Rich. Materials cut for cloth diaper cover with Velcro tab pockets.
Step 1: Cut out the pieces

Handmade by Joanne Rich. Velcro tab pockets for cloth diaper cover.
Step 2: Fold the Velcro tab pockets in half, and sew 1/4 inch along the folded edge.

Handmade by Joanne Rich. Pinning the Velco tab covers to the cloth diaper
Step 3: Pin all the pieces, right sides together.

Handmade by Joanne Rich. Sewing the Cloth Diaper Cover with Velcro Tab Pockets.
Step 4: Sew 1/2 inch all around, leaving a 3 inch opening. Trim the seam allowance to 1/4 inch (except the opening), and clip around the curved edges.

Handmade by Joane Rich. Sewing the Cloth Diaper Cover with Velcro Tab Pockets.
Step 5: Turn right side out. Sew 1/2 inch along the edge as shown.

Handmade by Joanne Rich. Sewing the Cloth Diaper Cover with Velcro Tab Pockets.
Step 6: Cut three 5 inch pieces of elastic (or your desired length), and thread it through the side "channels" you've just created. Sew the beginning and the end of the elastics in place. Remove the safety pins. 
Handmade by Joanne Rich. Sewing the Cloth Diaper Cover with Velcro Tab Pockets.
Step 7: Close the opening.

Joanne Rich. Sewing the Cloth Diaper Cover with Velcro Tab Pockets.
Step 8: Sew on the Velcro. The soft side (loop side) can be machine stitched on the front. Hand sew the hard side (hook side) only to the fleece layer.

Joanne Rich. Sewing the Cloth Diaper Cover with Velcro Tab Pockets.
Step 9: Layer your soaker pads and it's ready to go!
To make a soaker pad, cut a 9 inch square from your soaker frabric, fold it in half, and zig-zag stitch along the three sides. I use 5 pieces of soaker pad at a time for my diapers.

During change time, excrement is rinsed off and the tab pockets are folded over the Velcro before placing the diaper into the diaper pail.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Dora the Explorer (and friends) felt finger puppets

The cast of Dora the Explorer in felt finger puppet form, handmade by Joanne Rich.


One day, I was asked by a friend to make a set of Dora the Explorer finger puppets for her twin girls. Feeling up to the challenge, I said "Sure!"

For research, I began watching a lot of Dora the Explorer online. She asked me to make Dora, Diego, Swiper, Backpack, and Boots. They were so much fun to make that I added Map, Isa, and Benny to the collection! Here are the close-ups of the finished finger puppets: 

Dora the Explorer felt finger puppet, handmade by Joanne Rich
Dora

Swiper felt finger puppet, handmade by Joanne Rich
Swiper

Diego felt finger puppet from a Dora the Explorer project for a friend, handmade by Joanne Rich.
Diego

Boots felt finger puppet from a Dora the Explorer project for a friend, handmade by Joanne Rich.
Boots

Backpack and map felt finger puppet from a Dora the Explorer project for a friend, handmade by Joanne Rich.
Backpack and Map

Isa felt finger puppet from a Dora the Explorer project for a friend, handmade by Joanne Rich.
Isa








Benny