What shall I sew for my lovely nephew?

[pasturesnew]

I am hugely pregnant and bored, what sewing project can I do to pass the time?

I'd like to make something for my 1 year old nephew as he lives quite far away so I don't get to see him that often and I'd like to make him something personal and hopefully lasting so he can look back and know his auntie was always interested in him, not just from the time when hopefully he can come and stay with us sometimes or go on holiday with us.

My skill level is fairly basic, I can do running stitch and blanket stitch and use a sewing machine and follow a pattern. I've made a playmat before with an applique name on it which worked nicely but DN's name is quite long so might only be able to do initials this time!

I'm wondering about a quilt, a cloth ball, a bag or maybe a floppy rabbit or a basic toy like that.

All ideas v welcome!

[chaosisawayoflife]

I'm working on this at the moment and so far (touch wood)it seems fairly straightforward (I'm a beginner). It could easily be adapted into a barn or garage or something similar. There's a link from that site to a flikr site where lots of people have uploaded their attempts for inspiration.

[pasturesnew]

Thanks! Have seen the barn one in the flickr group which looks good, or I might try a garage esp. if I can find a nice car print.

It does look a bit of a step up for me though!

I have posted photos of my wonky playmat on my profile so you can see what I am capable of.

[kiwibella]

wow chaos!! I've seen that before and it looked fiddly. How are you gettin on? Please keep us updated. Maybe, one day, I will give it a go

[chaosisawayoflife]

Hi Kiwi. I'm doing ok with it so far. It doesn't seem to be too complicated so far and I'm quite enjoying making it. I have a feeling this one won't be brilliant when its finished but I think its one of those projects that you learn as you go along and I've got lots of the fabric so will have another go if it's not great. I'll post pics when I've done (if it's not too shameful!).

[pasturesnew]

bump - any more ideas, links to patterns please? Thanks!

[meakin]

crayon roll?

[pasturesnew]

as in a holster for carrying crayons? that's a good idea, thanks

[chaosisawayoflife]

It's the same blog as the dolls house, but here's one if you want to try.

[tassisssss]

what about bunting with his name on?

[kiwibella]

I thought this would be an easy-ish thing to try. There was a thread earlier in which someone said where you could buy the PVC.

Chaos, I've printed off the instructions and had a good read. It does seem easy enough. I'm going to give it a go . What have you used for the strength inside? I wondered about cardboard.

[kiwibella]

oops link here

[pasturesnew]

thank you, these look great

[JoInScotland]

Another fun project is, if you can find a length of green fabric (a curtain or similar from a charity shop will work!) you can sew strips of black fabric to it for "roads" and even paint little white lines down the middle, if you're quite keen. I think all children like driving their little cars on a play mat. You can add bits of bobble or corduroy or whatever for the "fields". Just get creative and chop lots of fabric bits up for lots of texture. Then use a piece of fleece or an old cot blanket for the back, for a playmat that doubles as a nap blanket.

[miamla]

Jo... loving your idea of a playmat! my DS would absolutely love one so thank you!