It’s so exciting to see all the Funky Friends toys people have made for our DENIM competition. I’m going to share some of the entries I’ve got so far..

 

Get ready for heaps of fun
DENIM inspiration!

 

*** The contest ends on April 30th (20210 ***

So you’ve got until then to get out your old clothes and get to work sewing up some up-cycled keepsakes!

If you’ve never sewn with denim – be sure to check out the TIPS for SEWING with DENIM at then end of this blog post, where you can also read about HOW to ENTER. The winner will be chosen at random, so don’t let lack of experience sewing with denim keep you from entering!

 

First up we have Madelein Boshoff and her denim version of Digger Dachshund. Does this little guy look like a “beast” to you? I liked Madelein’s comment about how she lives in her jeans. 

Click HERE to purchase the Digger Dacshund pattern.

 

 

 

Caroline Jones used denim for the very first time while making this Sammy Shark, and she said it was easier than she expected. Patterns with large pieces, like Sammy Shark, are great options for a first-time denim project.

Click HERE to buy the Sammy Shark pattern.

 

 

Sometimes toys instantly get new owners. Angela Locke reports that her granddaughter immediately claimed this denim Calico Bear, which she made with cotton fabric accents left over from making a shirt. 

Click HERE to buy the Calico Signature Bear pattern.

 

 

I loved this entry from Suzie Toblia, who used denim to make study toys for her new puppy using the Dog Toys pattern. Added bonus…these toys are squeaker-free!

Click HERE to buy the Dog Toys Pattern Pack

 

Emily Funk used the Plattie Platypus pattern in a fluffy fabric and and denim feet for her entry.  Emily included a wonderful family story with her toy:

Click HERE to purchase the Plattie Platypus pattern.

 

 

Jacycnth Allain  turned this Puppy Pete into a fun family keepsake by making it from a pair of her jeans and one of her husband’s shirts. 

Click HERE to buy the Puppy Dog Pete pattern.

 

Pockets and seams came together perfectly in this Melody Memory Bear by Helen Bailey to make it look like the bear is wearing a custom outfit. Helen made this keepsake to remember a family member and added a scarf for a colorful, personal accent.

Melody Bear does wear denim well, doesn’t she? Gail McKnight Anderson paired up some special red cotton with the jeans she used to make this keepsake. The pocket from the clothing lined up perfectly on Melody’s tummy and acts as a “memory keeper” for precious small thIngs.

Click HERE to buy the Melody Memory Bear

I don’t know if Patty the Cow has ever looked so stylish. Sherri Bailey thought this was the perfect pattern for denim, and what goes with “cow girl” denim better than a red bandanna?

Click HERE to purchase the Patty the Cow pattern.   

 

I adore the fun textures on this Timmy T-rex made by Laura Dickinson from her child’s clothes. She used a knitted cardigan on the feet, tummy, and spikes along with strategic pieces of a blue t-shirt. There’s even a heart-shaped patch with a special message on the tail. 

Click HERE to purchase the T-rex pattern.

 

 

One of the things that makes up-cycled denim so special is that its  patches and imperfections evoke wonderful memories. Phyllis Ingram used her father’s jeans to make Keep Me Keepsake Bears for herself and her kids. In the second photo you can see how Phyllis left a patched spot on prominent display on one of the bears.

Click HERE to buy the Keep Me Keepsake Bear pattern.

 

 

Are you getting excited to sew denim toys? Here are the SEWING TIPS from last week:

YES! It’s time to hunt down all you old denim jeans, jackets, shirts, dungarees, and overalls to turn into super cute recycled toys for the COMPETITION! 

 

⚠️ BUT first – a warning!!! ⚠️

If you have never sewn with denim, there are a few things to keep in mind in order to prevent damage to your sewing machine…

 

The adorable version of Trixie Triceratops above
was sewn by Sarah Kilshaw!!!

 

Here are some TIPS for sewing with DENIM fabric:

⚠️ First up, make sure to use a sewing machine needle that’s specifically labeled for Jeans or Denim.  Here are a few examples.

 

 

 

⚠️ Next, if this is your first time sewing with denim, you need to watch out for BULKY SEAMS. The best approach would be to avoid tracing your pattern pieces over any bulky seam lines at all. To do this – lay the denim flat and only use the parts that don’t have seams.

⚠️ For the more ADVENTUROUS – if you like the look of the denim seams (and other features like studs, pockets etc) and want to try INCLUDING them into the toy, there are some easy ways to avoid problems. Sewing over a bulky seam too quickly or with the wrong needle can jam up or even break your machine, so I recommend hand cranking your machine over any seams….

GO SLOW!

Alternatively, you can buy an inexpensive “seam jumper” tool like the one pictured below. It will help your machine sew through the bulk.

 

 

Ok, let’s get back to the Recycled denim SEWING COMPETITION…

 

WHAT can you WIN?

You can win a WIN a Funky Friends Factory Pattern Gift Voucher ~>

valued at
$50!!!

 

HOW do you enter?

It’s easy! Post a photo of ANY Funky Friends Factory Pattern that you have sewn using recycled denim, on the Funky Friends Factory Facebook Page (or in our Pattern Fan Club Group!) to be in the running to win a Funky Friends Factory GIFT VOUCHER…

(It can be ANY Funky Friend Factory pattern that you have sewn as a RECYCLED DENIM TOY. You can add some highlights of other fabrics BUT it needs to be OBVIOUSLY created from denim clothing – or it can’t be entered in the draw.)

 

 

Want an extra chance to WIN?

Share any of the pictures above on your Social Media (Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram etc) and leave a comment to let me know where you posted them!

 

*** The winner will be drawn on Wednesday 30th April 2021 ~ using random.org and announced here in the comments AND on the Funky Friends Factory Facebook page. ***

 

 

I can’t wait to see your recycled denim Funky Friends on Facebook…

 

Happy RECYCLING everyone!!!

 

 

Till next time,

Pauline
xxx