Maribel Made » fabric

Holiday Inspired Mars Hoodies

maribelmade — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:09:22 +0000

These new Holiday inspired Mars Hoodies are rocking! They come in red, green, yellow and a brand new color, royal purple. Some of the hoodies incorporate the “Power Paisley” and “Piggy” print fabric on the sleeves and each comes with a hand-sewn felt applique. There’s a pom-pom, red nose reindeer and the signature stars and hearts everyone loves. I hope you enjoy them! :)

Mars Hoodies are made from soft, knit fabric using a pattern I created to fit Mars Sock Monkeys. They’re sewn right in my apartment now based in NYC.

Fabian and Brett in Power Paisley Hoodies

maribelmade — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:58:22 +0000

Here’s some totally new rainbow and plaid Mars Sock Monkeys wearing hoodies made from the Power Paisley fabric I got from Spoonflower, one of my favorite online retailers. They print designs on fabric!

Fabian and Brett Mars Sock Monkeys are available for adoption on Etsy. :)

Fabian Mars Sock Monkey

Brett Mars Sock Monkey

DIY Reversible Tote Bag

maribelmade — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:44:21 +0000

On one of my recent trips to Etsy Labs last month I learned how to make a reversible tote bag as instructed by Kim from Tinyhearts Designs. The bag was so easy to make and after I finished it it very quickly became my main purse. It’s lightweight, versatile and perfect for summer! This tutorial is based on the pattern Kim showed us. I hope you enjoy making one of your own. :)

The above pattern is not to size, but I’d recommend printing it and using it for reference as you follow along.

First you’ll need to recreate the pattern pieces to scale on paper. I used a brown paper similar to a paper grocery bag. This image will help you draft the dimensions and show you how to add the darts (the cuts on the tote piece). A compass or flower pot can also help you make the curves at the bottom of each piece. Once you’ve drawn your lines, cut your squares, fold them in half vertically and cut along the green line so that each piece is symmetrical. The strap is pretty straight forward; cut it according to the dimensions above (4″ x 28″).

This is what your pattern pieces should look like. Now it’s time to focus on fabric.

Since the bag is reversible choose a patterned and a solid fabric to contrast the inside and outside of the bag. I picked a floral fabric with a bird as a focal point and for my solid a blue fabric with some diamond shapes. This is as close as I got to a solid fabric, but it’ll still work. ;)

Begin cutting your fabric by folding the fabric with the right sides facing each other. Folding it this way will let you mark the wrong side of the fabric and give you two finished pieces. Pin your “tote” pattern piece to the layered fabric and trace with a pen or pencil. Do this for your pattern and solid fabric. For the “pocket” and “strap” there is no need to fold the fabric over since you’ll only need one of each. Cut 1 pattern and 1 solid pocket, then cut 1 solid strap.

You should end up with7 pieces altogether. If you’re like me and you got your fabric from your stash the pieces will need some ironing. Iron all 7 pieces with wrong side up.

Once you’ve ironed all your pieces, focus on the pockets. With wrong side up, fold the right side about 3/8″ and press as you move down towards the bottom of the pocket, curving the bottom with the help of the small darts at the bottom, and around to the left side of the pocket. If you need to plead the fabric a little this is fine too as long as you get a somewhat smooth curved edge. Once you’ve pressed both sides and bottom, fold the top about 5/8″ and press.

Now focus on the strap. With wrong side up, fold about 3/8″ from the top and press. Do the same for the bottom. Then fold the piece in half horizontally (top to bottom), placing the top fold against the bottom fold. Press all along the strap with right side facing up.

We’re now ready to sew! Let’s begin with the easiest part: the strap. Sew all along each side at about 1/8″ from the edge. Strap is done.

Now let’s work on the 4 tote pieces. Sew each dart about 1/4″ from edge with wrong side facing each other. To sturdy your bag add some zigzag as well.

Now focus on the pocket. I’ve use pins to help guide me during sewing. With right side up, sew the top edge of the pocket about 1/2″ from the edge. DO NOT SEW SIDES or BOTTOM YET! Grab a contrasting tote piece and align pocket in the middle with pins (both pieces right side up).

You’re now ready to sew the sides and bottom of the pocket. To firmly secure the pocket to the tote, place the presser foot and needle about 1/4″ below the top edge and bring the needle into the fabric using the handwheel. Begin sewing using the reverse sewing lever until the needle is just above the top edge of the pocket. From there sew normally at about 1/8″ from the edge and all around the pocket. When you’re at the top left edge sew a few stitches downward to fasten this side. Follow the same steps for the second pocket. Note on my 3rd photo here that I made a boo boo and actually sewed my tote pieces first before attaching the pocket (that’s why there’s no raw edging, but there should be).

We’re almost there! Sew your tote pieces (pattern pieces together and solid pieces together) with right sides facing each other at about 3/8″ from the edge. Add zigzag to both pieces.

Turn your patterned (floral) piece right side out and insert the wrong side out solid into your tote. Align the tops of the inside and outside of the tote with your hand by pressing and pulling them together. Once you have them close by fold them in towards each other about 5/8″ from the top. You may have to fold the inside in more than the outside to get them to align. Secure your folds using pins. When you get to each side seam insert each end of the strap at about 1″ between the two folds and pin.

This is the final step! Sew all around the tote at 1/8″ and at 1/2″ from the edge. This double seam will help secure your strap and give your tote a finished look.

Voila, you’ve got yourself a handmade reversible tote bag! I hope you found this tutorial useful and easy to follow. If there is something I can clarify or elaborate on please let me know. Btw, I only used one pocket for this bag since I didn’t want to cover the pretty print on the outside.

Now I’m wondering…is this something you’d like to see in the shop? It’s very different from sock monkeys, but it still involves sewing, which I love. Next week I’ll introduce you to a new custom Mars Sock Monkey. :)

Sock Monkey Hoodies

maribelmade — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:45:52 +0000

In a race against time, I subjected myself to making four hoodies before going on vacation for two weeks! I made these hoodies for a group of sock monkeys I began stuffing back in January. I’ve been so busy with knitted jumpers but these sweatshirt hoodies finally got their time! They’re made from a Japanese piggy print fabric I got at my favorite and local fabric store, Stitches, in Seattle.

I’m really excited about lots of things right now and one of them is a new outfit I’ve designed for my custom Mars Sock Monkeys! This outfit’s for the girls. Yay! Be back in a couple of weeks. I’m heading off to London to scout some socks, yarn and so many other things. Then it’s to Texas for some home made food and craft supplies. ;)

Btw I have new clothing labels! :D

Kawaii Animal Inspired Mars Sock Monkeys

maribelmade — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:28:13 +0000

My newest Mars Sock Monkeys come with a bit of a Holiday flair and animal cuteness! There’s a sock monkey with a bear, bunny, piggy and a panda. I’ve done some of these cute animal designs on hoodies for my custom sock monkeys so I wanted to bring this nice detail to the sweatshirt hoodie. Included are some new colors: red and a Japanese piggy print fabric.

I used a technique called needle felting to add the small detail like the eyes and nose to the animal faces. I then embroidered their little mouths and attached the final pieces to the hoodies. I also tried something different by switching the heel part of the sock on some of the sock monkeys, which gave them different colored mouths.

This group of sock monkeys was fun to make. There were so many ideas that didn’t make it, but I’m sure I can incorporate them into next year’s sock monkeys! This Winter 09 batch of Mars Sock Monkeys are for sale on Etsy. As always, each of my Mars Sock Monkeys are one of a kind and handmade. Have a look. :)

A new generation of Mars Sock Monkeys

maribelmade — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:34:41 +0000

Earlier this morning, I released the new batch of Mars Sock Monkeys I’ve been secretly working on for the past month. One noticeably big change about these new monkeys is that they wear sweatshirt fabric hoodies, which I spent a lot of time perfecting so that they kept their original appeal. To celebrate the Fall and Halloween seasons, I chose warm and earthy colors for them to give these new sock monkeys a nice festive look.

These 10 hooded companions are the beginning of a new era of sock monkeys for Maribel Made! Just like their original ancestors with knitted hoodies, these little guys are also handmade by me so you know they’re made with great care and quality products. :)

These and more Mars Sock Monkeys can be purchased online on Etsy. Remember, not one sock monkey is alike so if you see one you like grab it before it’s gone!

Ali-Star Baby Mars Sock Monkey

maribelmade — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:40:58 +0000

Meet little Ali-Star! He wears the very first baby star sweater and a new bucket hat I made from my stash of vintage fabric samples. I think I’ll use some of that fabric to make more sock monkey accessories! When it came time to sew Alistair’s bucket hat I found that the instructions I used were removed from the Simplicity web site -although it looks like they’re back up! Good thing it’s not a complicated pattern otherwise I would have had some trouble. :)

Simplicity Misses’ Bucket Hat Pattern

maribelmade — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:36:00 +0000

This is the Simplicity bucket hat pattern I’m using as a guide for Mauricio’s little hat. Their free download pattern (pdf) is presented in 9 letter size pages which can be printed and assembled together to give you the correct proportions.

To shrink it down to baby sock monkey size (12 mo sock), I took a screen capture of each page, merged them in Photoshop and scaled the flattened image down by 33% (gut instinct here). I then traced pieces 1, 2 and 3 right off my computer screen onto a piece of paper. Any computer screen works great as a lightbox! My pattern top (1) is now 2.75″ in diameter.

I went on to make a prototype in felt, which actually ended up being a tiny wee big so I decreased all my pieces all around by 2mms and tried the pattern on the fabric I choose (pictured below). I still need to do some pressing, more sewing and turning right side out. The hat will also be reversible! I’m excited to see the end result. :D

Simplicity Misses’ Bucket Hat Pattern

Baby sock monkey sized bucket hat pattern

Felt bucket hat prototype

Mauricio’s Boat Sweater

maribelmade — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:38:21 +0000

This is Maurice’s little boat sweater. It’s hard to tell it’s size, but it’s about the size of my palm or a moo business card. I’m now working on a bucket hat which will complement this sweater. I decided to use fabric and I’m really enjoying it! It’s fun to make small shaped patterns and also faster than knitting the fabric from scratch. I can see myself making more fabric clothes for the sock monkeys in the future. :)

Fused Plastic Bags (with monkey theme)

maribelmade — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:14:12 +0000

Plastic, plastic, it’s everywhere! Especially those plastic bags you get at the grocery store or just about anywhere hiding in a drawer. Although the number of bags would dwindle with the use of a handy tote, which is quite popular here in Europe when buying groceries. Personally if I remember to bring one it’s fine, but if not it’s okay too because I can fuse them together! I can make a TOTE, a wallet, coin purse, some hanging art like I did, maybe a dress? I’m actually tempted to do a dress..no kidding!

A very cool gal I met sent me links to the Fusing Plastic Bag Tutorial that Etsy Labs put together and other Plastic Bag Crafts from Craft. I actually can’t wait to try again…I’ve gotz more bagz!!