Let's start off your weekend right with a fun little project the kids will love! This week we are featuring the Crayon Art Folio from Gingercake Patterns & Design. You'll have plenty of time to stitch it up before school starts back (I know, I know. I don't want to think about school either.) or your late-summer vacations!
The pattern is designed to hold up to 12 crayons and a 5"x 8" note pad for doodling. I like that this pattern includes a mini version of the Crayon Art Folio that is perfect for sticking in your diaper bag or purse when you need to keep the kids quiet on the go. I think just about any kid would love to have one of these to tote around ;)
Here's the super-duper awesome review from Nicole!
Hello! My name is Nicole Washburn, and I chose the Crayon Art Folio pattern from Gingercake Pattern & Design to review. I have been married for 18 years (yes, I was a child bride haha!), and we have a three energetic kiddos, 9, 6, and 3 years old. My 6 year old daughter loves to bring her art supplies everywhere she goes, so I knew this would be a hit with her (and all her friends…hello birthday gift)! I would call myself an intermediate sewist. I have been sewing for about 10 years and enjoy sewing goodies for my three children and their friends, as well as household items like pillowcases and curtains.
The crayonfolio took about an hour and 15 minutes to cut out and construct start to finish. For the main ‘body’ of the crayonfolio, there are measurements given as a guideline in the pattern instructions as well as a two page guide to print out. The same printed pattern guide is used to create the pockets (the paper is just folded to the correct size). The straps are created by using the measurements given and either fabric or ribbon can be used. Velcro is also required. All fabric pieces require fusible interfacing and a piece of thin batting is also used. Obviously basic sewing supplies like pins, scissors and/or a rotary cutter are needed, too. If you want to embellish the crayonfolio, additional supplies like rick rack, buttons, and ball fringe can also be used.
The pattern was very simple to follow, and I think a beginning sewist would have little trouble. The pictures are helpful and have writing on them as well so that you know which pieces are which as you sew. I found it very helpful to refer to her finished picture on the first page of the pattern while reading the instructions. The only tricky part of the entire process was turning the entire thing right side out and topstitching. It is quite thick at this point, but my sewing machine had no trouble getting through it.
I liked that the pattern includes more than one pocket. It includes a pocket for crayons (8 crayons are shown in her pattern picture but I was able to fit 16 easily albeit tightly), and two larger pockets for paper, note cards, flashcards, or stickers. The handles of the crayonfolio can be made of grosgrain ribbon or fabric but I thought the grosgrain would be pretty flimsy, so I chose the fabric. Two long Velcro pieces keep the crayonfolio together. My daughter has been carrying the one I made around for the past day and a half, and it shows no wear at all. Nothing has fallen out, and she loves it!
She includes a link to flickr so that you can see how others have embellished their crayonfolio. The first one I made I kept pretty simple, only adding rick rack to the outer edge. To the second one I made, I used more fabrics (mostly scraps that looked fun together!) and added lots of embellishments like rick rack trim to the inner pocket and the outside fabric and decorative buttons, and my daughter loved it even more! The second one took only 45 minutes to create.
This will become our go-to birthday gift for sure! It was fun to combine different fabrics from my fabric scraps to make a truly unique item.
This will become our go-to birthday gift for sure! It was fun to combine different fabrics from my fabric scraps to make a truly unique item.
A bonus that, at first, I didn’t realize was included is a smaller, mini crayonfolio pattern. It is about half the size of the original and holds four crayons and small pad of paper. I imagine this would be a great party favor to make for a birthday party or as a ‘keep your kids busy while waiting for food in a restaurant’ item. When I noticed the smaller version was included, it got me thinking that it would probably not be very difficult to modify the pattern and make it larger. My daughter loves her art supplies, especially her sketch pad, markers, and colored pencils which are too big for the crayonfolio, so I think I will try to make a larger version next. To personalize it, I think I will add an appliquéd initial to the outside as well.
Overall I am so glad I made this pattern. It was simple to construct, easy to follow, took very little fabric (great stash buster!), and was fun to embellish and personalize. I highly recommend it!
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Who feels the urge to make their kids a Crayon Art Folio now? I know I do! My kids are coloring maniacs! Our church is meeting in a restaurant for the time being while our new building is being finished. That means no nursery/children's classes to send them off to. This would be perfect to keep them entertained while they are with me for the next few weeks! If you want to purchase this pattern, you can find it on our website for 25% off for probably the next week or so! We'd love for you to share pictures of your finished projects over on our Facebook page!
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Pair it up!
Since the thought of perfectly-pointed crayons always makes me think of the first day of school, let's check out a few patterns that are back-to-school worthy!!
First up, for the boys (and girls!) is The DrewB Blazer from Cali Faye Collection. This pattern comes in sizes 2T- Child 10. Totally adorable and a perfect "transition" piece to carry your little ones from summer to fall in style. This was designed for boys, but looks super cute on girls, too! The best part? It's reversible! I love when you can knock out two outfits in one project :)
This is the Madeline Dress from Sew Sweet Patterns. Makes your teeth hurt it's so sweet, right? LOVE the Peter Pan collar and those fun buttons down the front. This would be the cutest thing to put a little girl in for her first day of pre-school or kindergarten! You can definitely pair this with leggings as the weather starts to turn cool, and I think a precious little cardigan on top would melt my heart. This pattern comes in sizes 12m- Girls 8. I just love it!
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Hope you all have a great weekend! We have a giveaway going on until July 26th if you want to check it out! We're giving away a few patterns from one of our newest designers to join Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops, Kikoi Patterns!
Go sew something magical!!
