Hello, hello! Last week, I told you that I needed to do some shopping because I wanted to make a felt tiger plushie. Well… technically it’s a cat, but I decided to turn this into the tiger 🙈. This week, that little idea finally turned into a real project 💪.
I had time to visit the shops, experiment with something completely new and finish testing an old pattern. It has definitely been a shopping and creating kind of week.
A Little Introduction Before We Begin
If you are new here, hi 👋! I am Alyona, and I have been crafting and sewing for as long as I can remember.
A long time ago, I created this tiger pattern for one of my customers. However, I never had the chance to test it myself or add it to my sewing patterns collection. I never publish a pattern that I have not personally tested and approved.
First, I create the pattern and make the project myself. If I feel happy with the result, I prepare it for the website. When something does not look right, I alter it until I am completely satisfied.
Choosing My Project for the Week
Last week, I worked on my felt car box. My keys kept sliding from side to side while I drove, and the noise annoyed me. Naturally, I decided that making a box would solve the problem.
At the end of that article, I still had not decided what to make next. I have several projects waiting for Queeny, including alterations to her raincoats. The tiger pattern was also sitting there, quietly reminding me that I had never tested it 🙈👀.
I already had a clear vision for the tiger. However, I did not want to cut every tiny black stripe from felt 😂. Even with my experience, cutting and positioning all those narrow pieces would have been challenging.
My First Attempt at Painting Felt
I decided to paint the tiger’s black stripes instead. I had seen girls on social media painting details onto fabric, but I had never tried it myself.
The idea had stayed in my head for a long time. Unfortunately, I had no idea which paint I needed or what I should even search for 🤷♀️. Everything about this part of the project felt completely new.
So, I went shopping to see what I could find. The first floor had a crazy amount of paint. To someone who understands art supplies, it probably looked wonderful. To me, it looked like shelves full of colourful gibberish.
Getting Lost Among the Paint
My cousin is an artist, so you might think I could simply ask her. The problem is that she does not live in England and does not know the brands sold here 🤷♀️.
We also use different languages for many art materials. Even if I sent her pictures, she could not confidently tell me which product to buy. She knows art, but she does not know every mysterious tube sitting inside a British craft shop.
I moved from one box to another and tried to understand the labels. Nothing made sense. After browsing for a while, I became frustrated and then discovered that the shop had a second floor 😂.
Finding Fabric Paint Upstairs
The second floor immediately made me feel better. I found some fabric, along with paint designed specifically for textiles.
My main concern was simple. I wanted the paint to stay on the felt without rubbing onto my fingers. I also did not want it to leave marks whenever somebody touched the finished toy.
Felt has a soft, fluffy surface, so I needed something that would remain secure on the fibres. Textile paint sounded like the safest option because it should stay in place after drying. It can also handle washing without immediately spoiling or transferring everywhere.
Buying a Brush Just in Case
After choosing the paint, I tried to remember whether I had a suitable brush at home. I knew that I had bought one years ago, although I could not remember why 😂.
More importantly, I could not remember whether that brush was thick or thin. I did not want to return home and discover that I had nothing suitable for the tiger’s narrow stripes.
I bought another brush as a precaution. Naturally, when I arrived home, I found the old one. Thankfully, the old brush was much thicker, so buying the new thin brush turned out to be the right decision. Lucky me for listening to the other little me inside my head 🙈.
Sewing the Felt Tiger Together
I cut out the pattern pieces and stitched the tiger together. Then I reached the slightly terrifying part – painting the stripes 😂.
My hands started shaking as soon as I brought the brush towards the toy. I needed to match the stripe placement from a pattern.
Whenever I design a pattern, I first make a draft. This helps me see how the finished project should look. Looking back, It was a damn good idea 😂.
A Simple Stencil Idea
I could have cut the stripe shapes from the paper pattern. Then I could have placed the draft over the felt and painted inside the openings.
Yes, cutting those sections would have damaged the draft. However, this method could help anyone who does not feel confident drawing the lines by eye.
I call it eyeballing, although English is not my native language. Sometimes I give things strange names, but you normally understand what I mean, right 🤔?! At least, I hope you do.
Making Everything More Difficult for Myself
My father often says that I love inventing challenges and then proudly fighting my way through them. Honestly, he is not wrong 😂.
I cannot draw freely by hand like my cousin. I am not an artist at all 🙅♀️. Still, there I was with a brush, shaky hands and a tiger waiting for its stripes.
Instead of painting thick lines immediately, I started with very thin marks. These acted like a sketch and helped me plan the position of each stripe. Once I felt more confident, I painted over them and created the proper lines.
Another Idea That Arrived Too Late
Later, I realised that I could have marked the stripe positions with a pen first. Small pen notches would have given me a guide before I touched the felt with paint.
Removing a pen mark from felt is usually quite simple. You can take one of your needles, lift the felt fibres around the mark and carefully trim that tiny area.
Paint gives you no such second chance. Once it goes onto the felt, it stays there. As we often say, the best idea usually arrives at the end 🙈.
Letting the Paint Dry Overnight
Despite the shaky beginning, I managed to paint all the stripes. I felt quite happy with the final result and liked how the paint worked on the felt.
At first, I felt afraid to touch it. I left the tiger on my table overnight because I did not want to spoil anything before taking a nice picture.
A few hours probably would have been enough. Still, I preferred to play it safe rather than risk smudging a finished toy after all that careful painting.
My Thoughts on Fabric Paint for Felt
The textile paint came from a local shop, but you can probably find something similar online. I still do not know why I forgot to check Amazon.
I normally buy most of my supplies there. Over time, I have collected what I call my reliable sellers. I prefer ordering from the same places because I do not enjoy unpleasant surprises.
When I feel excited to start a project, I want the materials to match my expectations. Receiving poor-quality supplies can ruin that excitement before the project even begins. For that reason, I rarely order randomly from unfamiliar sellers.
The Golden Paint I Could Not Leave Behind
I went to buy black paint, but I also came home with a golden one. It caught my eye, mesmerised me and refused to stay on the shelf. At least, that is my excuse 😂.
I have not used the golden paint on a proper project yet. However, I tested it on a small leftover piece of felt and loved the result.
The gold could add beautiful little decorative elements to an animal or a doll. I still do not know exactly where I will use it. Somehow, simply having it among my supplies warms my soul.
I bet you understand me 🙈!!!
Why These Newsletters Became Articles
That was my slightly strange but productive week 💪. I am also quite pleased that I have stayed consistent with these weekly articles.
Originally, I created this format for my newsletter. I wanted to share what I had been making each week with the people who follow my work.
However, newsletters are not really evergreen content 🌱. When someone joins the mailing list later, they cannot easily return to an old email they never received. Turning each newsletter into an article gives everyone the chance to travel back through my creative weeks 🫶.
How to Receive My Weekly Updates
Sometimes we simply forget to visit a website and check for new articles. You can subscribe through my website and receive a weekly reminder instead.
Scroll to the bottom of the website and find the subscription section. After subscribing, you will receive an email asking which content you want to see.
You can choose craft content, sewing content or both. I sew and craft during the same week, but I keep the emails separate. Mixing everything together might become confusing or slightly overwhelming.
Choosing Craft, Sewing or Both?!
Select the craft option when you mainly want felt toys, decorations and other handmade projects. Choose sewing when you prefer garments and fabric patterns.
You can also select both options. In that case, you will receive two newsletters each week, with one for sewing and another for crafts.
Each email includes a shorter version of the story. You can then follow the link when you want to read the complete article and see everything I made.
Still Finding the Flow of These Articles
I am still adjusting to this weekly format. A practical tutorial has a clear structure. First, you explain what the reader will learn, and then you guide them through the process.
These weekly articles feel different. Sometimes I catch myself writing lots of blah, blah, blah and think, “Who is interested in this? Alyona, stop talking.”
Some details can feel useful and useless at the same time. Then somebody contacts me through my Skool Community and says they stayed until the end. Honestly, that still amazes me.
A Free Craft Pattern for Staying With Me
My weeks feel completely normal to me, so I sometimes wonder why anybody wants to read about them. Apparently, some of you do, and I genuinely appreciate it 🫶.
As a little thank you, you can download my free craft pattern. You can use it to practise your stitches, test new techniques and see how I prepare my patterns 😉.
I create and test every pattern myself. I do not use AI to make them. This free project gives you a chance to become familiar with my pattern style before trying anything else.
You Can Always Ask Me Questions
You are also welcome to contact me through my Skool community when you need advice. Perhaps you have a question about a pattern or feel unsure about one small step.
I reply personally, and I spend a lot of time inside the community. Ask whatever you need, and I will try to help 😉.
The community is completely free. I always like to make that clear because people sometimes subscribe and then expect a surprise payment. No surprises here – just questions, projects and plenty of craft talk.
What I Might Make Next Week
Next week, I think I will test my Batman pattern. Last week, I bought some stiff felt, although I originally planned to use soft felt.
After looking at Batman’s cape, I decided that it needed a firmer shape. Soft felt might not hold the cape properly, while the stiff version should give it more structure.
So, now I can replace the soft felt with the stiff version and finally make Batman. At least, that is the current plan 😂.
My mood can change from one moment to another, and sometimes life happens as well. Still, I hope you will join me next week to see whether Batman actually makes it onto my table.
Thank you so much for staying with me until the end. I will see you in my next article. Bye 👋!
