A thread about crafting and/or handmade things

[Blondbraid]

I've started to craft a lot lately, mostly sewing, and I'd thought it'd be nice to share and exchange some ideas here.

For a starter, I've recently started working on making a Cotylorynchus plushie for a relative's kid, and I'm pondering weather to try embroidery or fabric paint to make it more interesting.

What do you all think?

To compare, here is a reconstruction of what the now extinct Cotyloryncus may have looked like;


Any fun ideas on how to give the plushie a neat pattern or similar?

Also, does anyone have any fun craft projects of their own to share? 

[KyriakosCH]

It looks nice already, but indeed it may look even better if you add more stuff 

[BrutalSlakt]

If it's for a smaller child that will play with it roughly I would go with paint. I'd only go with embroidery if I thought the kid would take good care of the toy, since it's a lot of work to put down to have it be ripped apart. 
But you should do what seems more fun and exciting for you. I think paint will be better for a bit more "realistic" feel, and embroidery for a more whimsical feel with some fun pattern.

[Blondbraid]

It looks nice already, but indeed it may look even better if you add more stuff 

That's the idea!

If it's for a smaller child that will play with it roughly I would go with paint. I'd only go with embroidery if I thought the kid would take good care of the toy, since it's a lot of work to put down to have it be ripped apart. 
But you should do what seems more fun and exciting for you. I think paint will be better for a bit more "realistic" feel, and embroidery for a more whimsical feel with some fun pattern.

Definitively a good point with the paint, it's for a 2-year-old (I made sure to attach the googly eyes with double thread), so I want a sturdy option.

Does anyone know how well acrylic paint work on fabric?

[Cassiebsg]

Acrylic paint works well with fabric. I've used them to paint t-shirts before. They will eventually fade out, depending on how much washing and water temperature is used though.

I would have NOT used that kind of eyes though, 2 year olds eat everything! And he/she will eat those eyes before you notice. Mine managed to eat the whiskers and plastic nose of a plush cat (the eyes survived but they aren't just glued into the fabric. They're actually double as big and wide inside the head, making it impossible to come out and be swallowed)!
I would either paint the eyes or "embroidery" them. You'll lose the movement, but for a 2 year old, that won't matter, and it'll be safer.

[Mati256]

I play tabletop wargames and make most of my terrain with cardboard, 3d printed parts and store bought parts, does that count as crafting?
More pictures here: https://montevideowargamer.blogspot.com/2021/04/french-garage-1940.html

[Kastchey]

Wow. This looks outstanding, Mati! I'm a sucker for hand crafted and painted models.

The plushie looks lovely too, Blondbraid. I tried sewing one myself several years back and I still remember how much harder it is to make it look right than it might seem.
Good luck, do share the final result

[KyriakosCH]

That looks great I wish I could make some claymation films, but I am not good with hand-crafting.

[Blondbraid]

Acrylic paint works well with fabric. I've used them to paint t-shirts before. They will eventually fade out, depending on how much washing and water temperature is used though.

I would have NOT used that kind of eyes though, 2 year olds eat everything! And he/she will eat those eyes before you notice. Mine managed to eat the whiskers and plastic nose of a plush cat (the eyes survived but they aren't just glued into the fabric. They're actually double as big and wide inside the head, making it impossible to come out and be swallowed)!
I would either paint the eyes or "embroidery" them. You'll lose the movement, but for a 2 year old, that won't matter, and it'll be safer.

Well, the kid's mom assured me he had stopped putting non-food items in his mouth. 

I play tabletop wargames and make most of my terrain with cardboard, 3d printed parts and store bought parts, does that count as crafting?
More pictures here: https://montevideowargamer.blogspot.com/2021/04/french-garage-1940.html

I'd definitively count it as crafting, and great work too! So detailed! 

That looks great I wish I could make some claymation films, but I am not good with hand-crafting.

Well, either you could ask someone to make claymation props for you (or use lego), or you could try and learn.

Everyone has to start somewhere, and no one makes a masterpiece on the first try, but crafting is definitely a talent anyone willing to practice can master.

[Blondbraid]

I finally got around to painting the plushie! Unfortunately, I couldn't take a photo that makes the colors justice, it's more vibrant irl.

[Cassiebsg]

Looks good anyway.   

[Blondbraid]

Looks good anyway.   

Aw thanks!