Carolers

25 comments
I'm sure many of you have been seeing this very sweet tutorial around blogs and the Internet in the past week or so. Gingercake Blog very generously shared her idea and pattern with all of us. You can find the pattern/tutorial here. She actually has several really cute patterns and tutorials on her blog. I would suggest you bookmark her blog and return, she's fantastic.
I thought I would show you what I've been doing with the Gingercake pattern. These are my carolers I've been making above. In addition to showing you my cuties I thought I'd share some tips I learned along the way.
First of all I did not embroider the faces. I just simply am not that great with tiny tiny embroidery and my daughter Shelbie is pretty artistic so she drew the faces for me with very fine tip permanent markers. Each face is a little different and they are all full of personality.
Shelbie also made me hand knitted scarves for my carolers. They are so so cute and finish off the caroler's coat so well. Thanks Shelbie.
I used fiberfill to stuff the bodies and then some fine grit white clean sand that my friend Ashley had given to me after purchasing a 50 lb. bag at the hardware store. It worked perfectly by putting a cup of sand in the bottom to give the body of the carolers some weight. I will remind you when making a stuffed item, use a very tight/tiny stitch and be careful when stuffing. I did split a seam or two and had to throw a couple away after a learning disaster.
I used butcher paper for my pattern and I actually ironed the pattern on my fabric so I could pick up the pattern piece while attached to the fabric and cut around with my nice sharp Ginghers.
I know my photos are slightly backwards in the process. Sorry about that. I used linen scraps for the face putting a square of linen under the opening and pinning in place while small zigzag stitching around the opening.
I used E6000 to glue my pom poms on top of the little heads. I am not a fan of hot glue since I always burn myself. I didn't want to mess with trying to stitch a pom pom or trying to catch the string in the seam. I used coat type buttons for the front that were slightly over sized compared with my caroler girls bodies. I also did stitch the wool hair down to the face. I felt it finished them off.

I made 9 of these so far and hope to make another 4 or so before the 25th and the bell rings on my sewing projects. I'm juggling about 3-4 projects in my sewing room right now. But aren't we all?!

-nanette
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25 comments

Jody Sanders said...

Your carolers are wonderful! May have to put some together this weekend

Di~ said...

first time I've seen these, I love them! thanks for showing them.

Thimbleanna said...

Very, very cute Nanette! Good luck with all of your sewing projects!

Darlene said...

They are downright adorable. Have fun, Nanette.

debbie m said...

They are so sweet. I like the drawn faces, and the scarves are a very nice touch!

em's scrapbag said...

These are darling. I've been wanting to make a few since I saw them on Beth's blog. Thank you so much for your tips.

Sherri said...

The carolers are amazing...and the faces do have so much personality! And you had the perfect wool for their coats...and the scarves are the perfect touch...okay...I think I said it all!

Des said...

I need a Shelbie!!
They're awesome, Thanks for the links and tips!

Michele McLaughlin said...

They are wonderful! Just found your blog and love it! Thanks for the tips! I wanted to make them too.....

Teodo said...

How nice are your carolers. In Italy we tell MERAVIGLIOSE.
ciao ciao

AnnieO said...

These are really adorable. The faces and handknit scarves are just the most! Shelbie is talented like you.

Unknown said...

These are just adorable! Thanks for the link!! These were collaborative effort between you and Shelbie. Cute, cute!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

They are so darling. I bet they are such fun to sew!! Thanks for sharing the tips!!

amy smart said...

These are so adorable! You and Shelbie make a great team!

Julie said...

Those are darling. Maybe I will try them next year for gifts--the days are winding down too fast for this year. Thanks for sharing. Julie

pratima said...

Nanette, your carlolers are so pretty and dressed so well for the season. Shelbie did a great job with their expressions and their scarfs will keep them extra warm when they are out and about. Thank you for sharing the tips. They'll be helpful when I try to make them :)

Lori Holt said...

Nanette...
I'm so glad that you posted a few hints because I am in the process of cutting some out to sew!...big suprise right? I'm using colors to match my vintagey Christmas decor....
Thanks for showing us yours...they are sew adorable:)
xx
lori

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

You have done a terrific job of these. They look like they're ready to burst into song at any moment!

Kim D. said...

Nanette, your dolls are just adorable! Great Job and thanks for sharing the pattern with us. I'll have to bookmark it for later and check it out. I know what you mean about juggling projects this time of year. Have a Very Merry Christmas!

Retrogirl said...

Nanette,
Your decor has me oohing and ahhhing. Now I'll need some carolers since your are so adorable!

Thanks for sharing the tips and Shelbie's contributions, too. Marker sounds so much quicker than embroidery at this point.
Happy Holidays and the Warmest of Wishes to you and yours.

Carrie P. said...

Too cute. the faces are so sweet and look at those little knitted scarves. You work well together.

MARCIE said...

These are so darling! Thanks for sharing!

Aunt Spicy said...

Stop it! These are just adorable! I am getting caught back up on blogs and this is the first I have seen of them....ADORE!

Anonymous said...

Loved seeing what you did with the Carolers. I'm thinking I'd draw the faces, too, and your buttons were just wonderful! That much knitting I might actually be able to handle. Thanks for sharing.

Momoo said...

Your dolls are sooooooooo cute!!! I'm working on some hot pads with matryoshka dolls on them. I couldn't figure out how to make the faces look good. Jenny is home for the holidays, she suggested I draw the faces on. She told me your daughter had drawn yours. I hadn't looked at your blog for a few days so I hadn't seen your dolls, really glad Jenny had. It saved me a lot of handwork. I guess I should become a daily reader. Thanks for the great hint :)