or you could be waiting to be packaged...
or you just might be hoping for ears, legs and tail.
Sadly, you won't be getting these things because we've run out of stuffing. No legs for you! What we do have though is a free meter of fabric and a small bag of goodies for offering up a tip!
It's almost mid-blogtober and I thought it was time I kicked in. One lucky winner will be getting a free meter of the Michael Miller's funky transport fabric that you've seen recently as an apron and a tank top. There's even a small snippet of it in this post - it's the rocket in the first photo. The goodies will be a surprise.
No free pass on this one, just help me with a small tip in the comments on any of these topics. (Just make something fun up if you're just as lost as I am!)
- Finishing Knots - I'm great at quilter's knots for starting things, but how do you properly finish sewing closed a softie without leaving a knot large enough to anchor the Titanic?
- Clips and Notches - Any good tips for avoiding hand cramps while clipping and notching curves?
- Market Tips - I'll take any tips to help me out when I sell at the local markets this Sunday. I've never sold at a market before and I'm clueless.
- Edit - The tips are fantastic ladies. Here's a few more topics in case we're all making the same knots - Best way to get iron out wrinkles on cotton? Favorite applique product? Should I ever buy any other thread aside from "all-purpose"? Best way to keep twill, ribbon and ric-rac ends from unravelling?
I'll randomly draw on Tuesday, October 21st at 1pm Sydney time. International welcome!
HI Amy, good luck at the market on Saturday. Not sure if this is the "right" way to do this but when I finish sewing something up I tie a knot and then rethread the needle and push it back into the fabric right near where the knot is then I push it out somewhere else, pull it a bit and cut the thread. The little snippet disappears back into the softie and the knot should be pulled in too. I guess you could also do the same thing but don't knot it, I've never been game enough to try it though.
ReplyDeleteHi I haven't got any advice with the knots but for cliping notches and curves I use snips, you know the ones for trimming threads with the springs. Much better than scissors. Other than that I'll be taking note for tips to.
ReplyDeleteCheers kylie
I agree with Cass's tip. I've seen the bit about pushing the needle back through the softie, pulling tight and then snipping so it disappears back into the middle. I'd love a tip for hand cramp too...I have that problem when I'm making bibs.
ReplyDeletePoor softies in limbo. So far what I've learned from having booths at different places is 1. Have lots of inventory. Lots. 2. Make the booth pleasing to the eye. Approach it like you're coming to shop at your booth. What would you like to see, how would you like to see it set up if you were the shopper. 3. Smile.
ReplyDeleteOh, and good luck!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the markets... It can be a lot of fun. Just don't scare people away with your own excitement like I did at my first market and you'll be fine!
ReplyDeleteoooo wow! Have fun at Bondi hun! I'm popping home from Adelaide, but we have a packed weekend - otherwise I would have come and visited you! Next time :)
ReplyDeleteI've just tagged you for a meme, play along if you like!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the market. I always finish with a quilting knot, then push the needle back into the softie, and pull it back out a bit further away from the knot, pulling the knot through to the inside at the same time (if that makes sense!). I use thread snips for notching and clipping as the spring makes it easier on the hands.
ReplyDeleteAll your softies look great. Hope you get some stuffing to finish them soon.
Michelle
(I found you through Curlypops)
Oh dear, I'm going to say much the same as the others. As I read your sentence about hand cramps, I thought" she needs spring-loaded snips! It took a bit of trial and error to find the right ones that fit my hand but don't lock blades if they open too far (most annoying). I also finish knots as other mentioned, by pulling them into the middle.
ReplyDeleteI don't make softies so I am not sure about them but in old fashioned hand sewing two small stitches in the same spot are the correct way to begin and end one's sewing. Because I don't trust anything I generally double that and do three or four stitches. As for clipping curves you could do five minutes, vacuum the house, another five minutes, do all the ironing or just do it all in one go! Sorry I have no great tips. Cherrie
ReplyDeleteOh, oh... I have a knotty suggestion. (Yes, that was lame I know.) I usually run the thread through a loop or two and then run it through the loop that made. It makes a good sturdy knot. That's all I have. Good luck at the market!
ReplyDeleteI am a very poor tipster. Knots have me stumped. Hand cramps - poor you, those snips sound like the go.
ReplyDeleteThe markets, well with my first market coming up this has been on my mind too. I like things to look cute but not cluttered so I can ooh and ahh at each item.
I'm getting swing price tags with my shop address on them too. A nice little stock of buisness cards. Keep a note of everthing you take and sell. I'm sure you'll get much better tips then my lame ones. Your items are beautiful and original and you are warm and friendly you'll do great. Good luck!
I have to admit I don't know a *whole* lot about your questions, but with displays -- definitely go for volume. Have different things displayed at different levels. And be friendly, but not pushy. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit I don't know a *whole* lot about your questions, but with displays -- definitely go for volume. Have different things displayed at different levels. And be friendly, but not pushy. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAlas, all my tips are exactly the same as everyone else's! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteMy great words of wisdom are-clips and notches I use pinking shears. It can still give you cramps but I find it works. Market stalls that I tend to be drawn towards are bright( which you have no problem with) and not orderly. Maybe organised kaos is what I'm looking for.
ReplyDeletegood luck!
oooo the first two are too hard for a novice like me ive only ever made one softie toy and I cant remember how I finsihed it off sorry
ReplyDeleteThe market stall I can definately help you with, although again ive only ever done one or two but they both SOLD out so I regard them as a success
my tips:
~Put on your prettiest market day frock, make sure your hair is done and slap some lipstick on
presentation is everything and no one wants to buy pretty things from a slob hahahaha
~Smile alot and be your usual charming self, warm and friendly!
~Ensure your stall is appealing to the eye, hang stuff high if you can to attract peoples eye from far away so they are drawn to your stall
~Carry a bum bag(co ordinate with the pretty frock hahaha) and keep alot of change in it to make sales painless
~Most importantly HAVE FUN!
good luck at the market and to all the entrants who enter
:)
ooo bondi huh I might be able to pop in and see your pretty lil things IRL woo hoo!
ReplyDeleteMy advice for selling at a market would be to have business cards that are memorable (ie: made using a snapshot of fabric as the border).
ReplyDeleteAlso you could have a list for people who want to be e-mailed with updates to your blog or store that way they aren't just taking your card and misplacing it -- you're the one contacting them.
Making items while you're there or displaying half finished projects could intrigue some people.
All the best! And thanks for the giveaway! mybabyappleseed(at)yahoo(dot)ca
Never sold in a market so I can't help you there. As for knotting, I stick the needle deep into the softie and then make a turn and pull it out. The needle will catch the batting inside and catch. Then when you pull the needle and thread back out just snip very close to the fabric. It will slip back in and won't be able to unweave itself. It works every time!
ReplyDeletegreetings from usa here!
ReplyDeleteas for the market, price things fair..to sell. you dont want to lug everything home. Another idea is to not put everything out at once.. make it look like its limited quantity so people will buy it up quickly. Once its gone, put something else in its place. You may also want to give out a free with purchase item. People love free stuff, even if its something simple like a bookmark or small sachet! :)
Good luck with everything! I enjoy reading your blog :)
Good luck at Bondi. We won't be able to drop in and say hi as we'll be hanging out in the inner-west.
ReplyDeleteI second the pinking shears tip, that's what I do, can't be bothered fussing with anything else.
Re knots, yeah what everyone else said.
Good Luck at Bondi.
ReplyDeleteWhenever i make anything (including doing binding on a quilt)I knot the thread and push the needle through the softie or along the inside of the binding and snip the thread close to the material.
At markets... Friendly and none pushy people win me over.
I use pinking shears when i trim corners.
Gosh Amy, you know I'm hopeless at all of the above! But your market sounds lovely...I agree with Sasparilla Sue, have loads of inventory and just make it look like what you would like if you were the shopper. I may have to mosey over to Bondi and take a look!!
ReplyDeleteFor softies, insted of tying a knot, I sew the same stitch over and over a few times, then squash the softie, put the neddle all the way through and out, and snip. When the softie un-squishes, the cut end remains inside.
ReplyDeleteI like the look of those little doggies, they remind me of an illustration from Finn Family Moomintroll!
I am having a baby really soon and I am addicted to buying softies at the moment! thanks for all the great tips by the way!
ReplyDeletejennifer.lleras@gmail.com
I've done a trade show before, and the trick I found most useful were, make your booth or table stand out from the others. If you can make a banner of your company or trade name. Use some bright colored fabric to drape over your table(s) as floor-length table cloths, makes your table look really inviting, and fancy. I just used a solid color, and then adorned the front with a banner. You don't want your booth/table to look messy, or "busy" though. Also, if you have anything to hand out, to get people to your booth, is always a good thing. Like flyers, business cards, candy canes (at christmas), a bowl of halloween treats (at halloween). Just brings the buyers in to see what you have to offer. Best of luck to you! And thank you for offering your giveaway! I hope I win!!!!
ReplyDeletehey lovey, i used to hold a regular stall at the st andrews market and i only got given one peice of advice and it worked a treat. it was - stand back from the table and greet people with a smile never be pre occupied with a book or anything and dont walk forward to the table till they invite you too - god bless this person who told me that they were right. I myself move on from a stall pretty quickly when i'm approched and all i want to do is look, if given space you tend to stick around longer and buy. thats it lovey thanks
ReplyDeleteI do the same as everyone else with the knotting.
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't have any market tips, but I'm taking everyone elses in because I'm thinking of doing the same in a few months.
Well, I have thought that I was going to have funky price tags with a little blurb about what I make and how I make it. Just to make my stuff a little more unique.
Would LOVE this. I'm going to make some taggie blankets for our son. Woohoo.
ReplyDeleteMy tip for selling at a market, esp as halloween is right around the corner, have a bowl of candy out to attract customers. Make a sign though, 'one piece per person, please'. :)
Make sure you have a eye catching set up and display your items well and creatively.
ReplyDeletehttp://happyhousewifey.blogspot.com
Great site for savings.
Hi there!
ReplyDeleteI love to color coordinate items that I want to sell. This might help your goods be more eye catching! Lots of Luck at market!
Thanks for the giveaway:)
No fresh tips for you, but my favourite tools for softie making are a freebie chopstick from a magazine for turning and pushing out corners, and a pair of haemostats(!) for grabbing!
ReplyDeleteMy tip for you, is if you are hunched over working on a craft and need a much needed break do the following:
ReplyDeleteo Stand up, legs hip distance apart, with a soft bend in the knees. Clasp or interlace fingers behind your back. Squeeze your shoulderblades together, breath slowly in and out. Breath like this 3 times.
o Next, inhale, shrug your shoulders toward the sky, exhale release. Repeat 3 times. (Make the shoulder shrugs look funny!)
o Sit in a chair or on the floor crosslegged. Take an opposite arm to a knee or thigh, bring the other arm behind you on the floor, or grabbing the back of the chair (uh, the booty, needs to be away from the back of the chair, if you are doing this in the chair), inhale slowly and exhale slowly for 3 breaths. Now, take the other hand over to the other opposite knee/thigh and repeat.
These little yoga poses will help you relieve upper back stress associated with long crafty sessions!
p.s. Keep everything between "easy and owch!"
yogawithgaileee at gmail dot com
For the thread, I use different kinds all the time. I only use cotton when sewing quilts and childrens items because all of the material I'm using is cotton, and you want everything to be the same materials including the thread. Each kind of thread has it's purpose, and I use them all for various things.
ReplyDeleteHi, I make soft dolls and for clipping curves I use a pair of pinking shears and simply trim the seam allowance instead. For building hand strength (so essential for stuff critters ect.) take the really tough rubber band off a bunch of brocoli. Place rubber band around thumb and fingers and then push hand out using the rubber band for resistence training. In terms of thread, I use all purpose thread in my sewing machine for sewing bodies ect. I used to use button/craft weight thread for jointing dolls, but have switched to waxed linen thread as its easier to tie off and get a firm button joint. Embroidery floss is great for faces, and decorative detail. Very fine thread, can be good if you are doing needle turn applique and want to hide the stitches in your seams. Whatever you do just don't use a dark colored thread with light fabric, or light colored thread with dark fabric or it will show at the seams when the toy is stuffed. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteThanks for entering me in your giveaway- one tip for market selling is to try and arrange your products in an attractive manner- also, take plenty of change with you! Good luck
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! Love it! Cute site! My only tip is hiring a photographer - they're worth every penny for fabulous and enticing pics. Lizabeth www.sparkbark.com
ReplyDeleteLoving the softies! =D
ReplyDeleteLet's see.. Question 1: This may help http://quilttaffy.blogspot.com/2008/07/invisible-closing-seam-tutorial.html
I hope this is what you are seeking for =). As for market tips - I can only tell you from the perspective of a customer who loves softies: I like colourful booths, pastel coloured decorations and a friendly seller (although one who is too clingy does make me afraid - and I leave =P). Clear pricing would be great - I am sometimes hesitant to constantly ask for prices.
Hope the tips help, and all the best!
Cheers, Sulz
zlyn88(at)gmail(dot)com
That market looks amazing! It's a shame I am incredibly far away from it. I am a beginner when it comes to sewing, but I do work retail, and I think we have the most success when we put together an eye-catching display. People always come in to see our new displays, regardless of what's in them, especially if they're colorful. Also, our lines with the most variety sell best. People want to feel like they have options, so it's nice to display as many different colors and patterns of one item as you can. It would also be a good time to start a mailing list, but you probably knew that. We also have some luck bringing people in by doing a prize drawing for everyone who makes a purchase (or just everyone who visits, if you prefer).
ReplyDeleteAbout the hand cramps from snipping, getting a pair of springloaded scissors might help. It's like you only have to squeeze them, and they pop back open themselves so it saves your hands a little work.
Good luck!
the_other_alice_(at)yahoo.com
Hi - I found this wonderful link by the wonderful Jenni last year and it really is worth a look.
ReplyDeletehttp://posiepatchworkblog.blogspot.com/2007/07/so-you-want-to-do-market-stall.html
Good luck on Saturday for your market!
Hi! When you prepare to sell at your market, make sure you have enough inventory. Take more of the items which generally tend to be better sellers. Thanks!
ReplyDeletejaikok@yahoo.com