Thursday, February 04, 2010

d.i.y. valentines robot

robot_fromabove
wont you be mine?

i never cared
much
for
valentines day.
just another one
of those holidays
to
convince you
that you
need
to buy
something
for
someone.

those long lines
at the drugstore
of men buying
last minute
stuffed animals
and candy
on valentines day
depress me.
but then again
how sweet
is it to
get
a handmade card
or
homemade edibles
from a
friend
unexpectedly...

bears
and bunnies
are nice
but robots
are so much better,
don't you think?

robot_wooden1

wouldn't it
be nice
to make
a robot pillow
for someone you love?

this robot
is made completely
out of felted
sweaters.
thin cashmere
sweaters
work the best
but any old sweater
will do...
it's a good time
of year to
get rid of
that favorite sweater
with moth holes
or that doesn't fit
right.
or hit your
local thrift store
and get a couple.
my advice is
to get men's sweaters-
they always are cheaper
and bigger.
bigger means
more felt- woohoo!
remember that
the sweater has
to be 100% wool or
cashmere, or
other
animal fiber.

DIYRobot_whatyouneed

so here we go!

DIYrobot1

first,
put on this song
to get you in the robot mood.

then,
felt all your sweaters
(read instructions here).

robot_felt

make sure to cut
the arms & legs
out of
the sleeves:
DIYRobot_sleeve

now you are
ready for these
easy steps:

DIYRobot_1-4

remember,
you can use
a machine
or sew by hand.
i did mine
by hand using
mostly
blanket stitch.

robot_layout_front
robot_layout_back
robot_layout_zipper

DIYRobot_5-11

you can
decorate your
robot
any way you'd
like...
use real buttons
i used a small
fabric button maker.
i got at
the sewing store
for $3.
you can make
your own fabric
buttons
using
this guide.

Robot_couch

i got
some ideas
from
jes hutch's knitted robots.

robots:  thrifted wooden

let me know
if you
have any
questions!

try not
to fall
in love
with your
new robot.

i did.
it's breaking
my heart
to mail
him off
to his
new
sweetheart
.

robot_square

xo

{cross-posted
on
sew green blog}

11 comments:

shari said...

robot love. so cute and a great tutorial. your header is gorgeous by the way. xox

johnny said...

you and yer robot are tooo durn cute....

alexandria said...

This tickles me and the idea of sewing a robot is wonderfully fun. I too share your same thoughts on this particular holiday, but I love how you took a different angle and made it special.

nancy said...

i love it. my sister has crafted handmade toys and had a robot and i loved him, but she wouldn't lemme buy him cuz she needed him for her booth at the christmas sale. :( so maybe i'll falla your idea! :)

nancy said...

p.s. hope you won't mind but I nominated you on my site for an award given to me today so I'm passing it on, but of course, you are not obliged at all to participate yourself in what the award apparently entails or requires of its recipients. Entirely up to you. Just thought I'd give you a heads up and also, just let you know how much I adore your blog! Cheers!

withlove,rosie said...

These are really cute... Just read your interview on sfgirlbybay... Loved it. I live near d.c. and was interested to hear what shops you like to go to.. etc.
jessie rose
withloverosie.wordpress.com

jessie rose said...

These are really cute... Just read your interview on sfgirlbybay... Loved it. I live near d.c. and was interested to hear what shops you like to go to.. etc.

Anonymous said...

luv the robots! luv your blog!

Jenny said...

yeah i was never a big fan of valentine's day...maybe back in elementary school it was cute but now i've come to realize: wouldn't you rather be loved everyady and given gifts at random times rather than on just 2/14? that's just my theory.

but i love that robot plush! i recently fell in love with felt crafts...i think i'll try this one out :)

Chase Clark said...

Gah! So cuuuute!

lisa solomon said...

you can come visit your robot anytime. and know that he is loved here. supremely. [as are the wooden robots which we have figured out can stack in many many ways]
XO