Monday, January 26, 2009

little mushrooms

I've been wanting to try these little fabric mushrooms, and finally found the time this weekend. They were really fun to make and you know I love a quick project. The tutorial is here. I consider these a trial batch--just to get my feet wet. I'd love to make several more sets in different colorways.
The most satisfying part of these is making the little stems. I do have a tip for you if you try these: the original tutorial calls for putting a rock inside the stem to weight it. I did do that with the first one, but I found that lentils are easier to find and work much better--my lentil mushrooms are much more stable than the rock mushroom.
I do have a question for you crafters. How do you make a knot--at the end of the handstitching--that is hidden? The only way I know to end is to make a stitch and pull the needle through the loop of thread as it closes. But a bit of thread sticks out when you are done. Any hints? I think these would look more polished without any knots showing.
After making trees, rocks, pears, and now these mushrooms, it occurs to me that I like to make "nature softies." I'd actually like to make more. I'd love to try a stick or branch.
I'm also trying to come up with a new studio wreath. This is interim. It's loosely wrapped in linen and decorated with a soft bird, which I whipped up today while the boys slept (definitely should have been cleaning or doing laundry, but oh well). I'll probably make another bird in green and switch it out. Or do something altogether different if inspiration hits.
We ended up having four days of overcast and soft drizzle. It was a real treat. Sunday was sunny and cool, so I'm feeling much less grumpy and ready for the week. Happy Monday to all.

11 comments:

DangAndBlast! said...

Try pulling the end of the thread through the entire mushroom, pulling it tight, snipping off near the mushroom, and voila, the thread disappears into the inside!

Sarah said...

Sweet mushrooms. I've had no time for crafting. I do the same with gently tugging the end into the softie.

Anonymous said...

Your mushrooms are adorable! I love the fabrics you chose. I have a little tutorial for this kind of thing right here: http://belladia.typepad.com/bella_dia/2006/01/no_knot_no_tail.html I hope that helps :)

Anonymous said...

very cute -- I've added these to my to do list
lisa x

Anonymous said...

I don't have an answer to your question, but are they ever cute! I just love them! Excellent fabric choices, I agree.

Anonymous said...

Hi Mary Beth I was just about to say what DangAndBlast said, thats how I do it.

The mushrooms look great, bet the boys like playing with them on the nature table.x

Cass said...

I was going to say the same thing. Do the loop and then push it back into whatever you are sewing and bring it out somewhere else and snip it off

Anonymous said...

I love these projects! I need to make more mushrooms as mine have not-so-mysteriously disappeared. I love the idea of using lentils as a weight!

Anonymous said...

I make a knot on the outside and pop it through. There's good tutorials of this kind of thing at the purl bee.

Andrea said...

Love these...I tried to wing it and made some mushrooms last year; not nearly this cute and even with lentils quite tippy...I'll have to try again with the tutorial!

Gift of Green said...

I don't even understand the knot question, that's how un-crafty I am!! LOL!!

They are adorable!