Whip Up is now taking article and tutorial submissions.
We are looking for tutorials and submissions that fit within our feel – read our Manifesto for more information.
We are looking for thematic articles and tutorials to fit within the months themes – see monthly themes below – but also timely articles outside of these themes will be considered such as exhibition and pattern reviews, craft memes, fun, frivolous and extreme ideas, etc that cannot wait and do not fit within the theme.
Submissions now being accepted for January, February and March 2008
- January: Children’s crafts
- February: Alternative crafting
- March: Ephemeral art and craft
To learn more about how to submit an article read the submission guidelines here
I was making bugs for my mom. I know she likes ladybugs a lot, even though we live in a place where they invade your house by the hundreds! I really know what a ladybug looks like from seeing so many. I cut felt out free hand, and tried to make it look right. Then I sewed it all together. I like making stuffies a lot. I give them to my mom, and friends. I like designing them, because I don’t have to follow any directions! My mom helped me draw the pattern from the original, and wrote out the directions for making it.
Materials: felt – small amounts of red, black, white | ☺embroidery floss – black | size 26 tapestry needle recommended (The rounded point is better for younger needle workers and still pierces the felt just fine. It is also easier to thread than standard embroidery needle. | fiber fill or cotton balls to stuff with | scissors
Directions: Draw the pattern onto paper, or enlarge on a photocopier until you have it the size you want – make sure to make it a big bigger to allow for cutting and sewing.
Cut 2 of the head pattern from black felt. | Cut 2 of the eye pattern from white felt. | Cut 6 of the spot pattern from black felt. | Cut 1 of the body pattern from red felt. | Cut 1 of the body pattern from black felt.
HEAD: Stitch the eye pieces nto one of the head pieces, using black floss. Then stitch the head together – top to bottom using over cast stitch. Leave an opening for the stuffing. Stuff and close the rest of the way.
BODY: On the red body (top) piece, First use a running stitch and black embroidery floss to create a line along the dotted line on pattern. Then stitch the 6 black spots. Use the picture as a guide, or put them where you want! Stitch the top (red) to the bottom (black) leave an opening to stuff. Then close.
PUTTING HEAD ONTO BODY: Put the head into position at one end of the body and stitch using black embroidery floss.
HINT: Don’t worry about your stitches being perfect – it’s part of the charm!
About the maker: Becca is ten years old and in fifth grade. She likes to do crafts, embroider and to draw.
Secret Message Soap: A bribery idea. Trying to get your kids to wash their hands more? In this project we put a dollar bill in a lip balm container then embedded it in a bar of soap. Once the soap is all used up you get the dollar that has been safely stashed in the lip balm pot. This is also a fun idea for putting secret messages into soap.
[click to continue…]
Playdough Soap – All you do is add cornstarch to regular melt & pour base and it turns into a malleable soap you can sculpt and play with! Let your kids sculpt their soap into any shape then let it air dry and they can use it in the bath.
[click to continue…]
Whiptips craft advice column for readers to ask questions or offer advice by leaving comments. Whiptips archive here. Ask your whiptips questions at the ‘tips and tricks’ section of the forum - right here.
I have a question about sewing clothing. My sewing skills are ok, I can follow a pattern pretty well, but I would really like some resources to help me alter patterns or even draft my own! I would be great if you could ask the readers if they have any recommendations. Thanks for all the great work! [you might like to check out BurdaStyle - ed]
