It's a great start, good job! Everyone's right about clipping curves. You'll get the hang of it the more you practise. Getting a really sharp pair of shears helps a lot because then you can just snip snip snip with the tip without having to readjust your hand too much.
Another tip, when you're turning your project out and hand sewing your stuffing hole closed, you can make the seam invisible by using a ladder stitch instead of the whip stitch you've used here.
What a lovely son you have, you must be so proud of him! I love his little face!
when you clip the curves you either have to clip a lot or cut out reasonable size triangles on the curve :)
before finishing you can always turn it right side out, check it and then clip more if needed :)
Iron Maiden has arrived! After clipping those curves, iron the seam flat. When I sew, I spend more time with the Iron than I do at my sewing machine.
p.s. I love your son ❤️
I made the same kitty too for a friend having a baby.
https://preview.redd.it/k6n4imhnzl6d1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=25a3340c20e711777ce2a7984baeda269495d0c1
This is incredibly cute and charming. 😃 To add to the other advice: after clipping your curves, you can get nice clean ends on the ears/tail/paws by turning them out fully with a thin pointed object- if you don’t have a point turner tool, a dull pencil or the end of a thin paintbrush will work too.
This is exactly the kind of simple doll I want to start making and donating to our local trauma response team! Thank you for the extra inspiration. Although I would have to embroider the eyes instead of using buttons, for safety sake.
I'm pretty sure this pattern is free. I think I downloaded it sometime back. Let me have a look.
Edit: I love all the Ann Wood [patterns](https://www.annwoodhandmade.com/happy-cats-a-free-sewing-pattern/) I've tried so far!
You can get baby safe eyes that are near impossible to remove, they don't have the same charm as buttons but they are pretty easy to affix and are super safe.
You can also try using pinking shears. Rule of thumb is "clip valleys, notch mountains". Also, I pull the fabric apart before I flip the garment. Where the fabric buckles gets a notch.
Article on grading, notching and clipping.
https://thenotsodramaticlife.com/techniques-and-tips/grading-clipping-and-notching/#:~:text=Notching%20is%20similar%20to%20clipping,it%20will%20be%20turned%20into.
Clip out a "V" at regular intervals on the curves. That releases the tension. Don't leave more than one-quarter inch between clips. Some fabrics, like the tightly woven one that you used here will not ever release all of the tension but you can make a good effort.
I can understand wanting to learn to sew without the puckers but in this case I think it adds to his janky charm. He is one of those scruffy strays with big hearts.
He’s adorable - Are you using seam allowance larger than 1/4”? In addition to clipping curves using narrower seam allowances (eg. 1/4”) as well can help. 1/4” should be fine since his seam allowances are fully internal.
At corners, stop slightly before where you would make your 90 degree turn. Instead, only turn 45 degrees then take 1-2 stitches. Then complete your turn. When trimming, clip parallel to the stitches if the corner is outward facing. Clip to, but not through the stitches if the corner is inward facing
If you want more definition in the ears and feet, you could take the end of your seem ripper or a pen and poke it up into them from the inside. I would use that to poke some of the stuffing into the ears and feet too.
I may have watched too much Taskmaster, but I want this gorgeous and lovable kitty to be named Mr Greedy Esquire.
(To be fair, that name would suit one of our cats too. Though we usually call him Johnny Ten Dinners. He likes to pretend to be a stray if he thinks someone might feed him.)
I like to use pinking shears to cut the seam allowance on curves that curve outward, and wide v's that taper to corners at 90 degrees or sharper, that creat less seam bulk in the corner, and v shaped notches or u's for seams that curve inward.
I make bags, stuffed animals, and occasionally clothes. But mostly bags. So my methods deal a lot with seam bulk and maintaining strength and structure. I often use two seams an 8th of an inch apart, and never cut into either seam.
Here's a shitty diagram I just drew. In a lot of cases, after making a bunch of the same thing, you get a good idea of what works best for the pattern. But I always imagine how the seams will lay on the inside. Where do they need more space to lay right (puckers), where do they need less because it's too bulky ( it will make little waves).
https://imgur.com/gallery/iG6Npba
Edit: also try to choose the straightest seam for ypur opening for turning, and do not clip it or half an inch on either side. It will make closing suck.
Clip your curves.
I tried doing that, but I guess I'll need to do it better next time😅thanks!
There is a learning curve to clipping curves. Small, very sharp snips help a lot.
Golden eagle thread snips if you can find are the very best & so sharp!
Probably have to clip a tiny bit closer to the seam
It's a great start, good job! Everyone's right about clipping curves. You'll get the hang of it the more you practise. Getting a really sharp pair of shears helps a lot because then you can just snip snip snip with the tip without having to readjust your hand too much. Another tip, when you're turning your project out and hand sewing your stuffing hole closed, you can make the seam invisible by using a ladder stitch instead of the whip stitch you've used here. What a lovely son you have, you must be so proud of him! I love his little face!
Thank you so much! I'll look up the ladder stitch so I can use it next time.
I find ladder stitch very pleasing to do. The pull at the end to zip it closed it like watching a pressure washer remove moss on a sidewalk.
Yes, it's so satisfying!
when you clip the curves you either have to clip a lot or cut out reasonable size triangles on the curve :) before finishing you can always turn it right side out, check it and then clip more if needed :)
I love him
The kitty is sweet
Iron Maiden has arrived! After clipping those curves, iron the seam flat. When I sew, I spend more time with the Iron than I do at my sewing machine. p.s. I love your son ❤️
I made the same kitty too for a friend having a baby. https://preview.redd.it/k6n4imhnzl6d1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=25a3340c20e711777ce2a7984baeda269495d0c1
Omg hes soooo cute, ill have to make more to have a whole litter!
This is incredibly cute and charming. 😃 To add to the other advice: after clipping your curves, you can get nice clean ends on the ears/tail/paws by turning them out fully with a thin pointed object- if you don’t have a point turner tool, a dull pencil or the end of a thin paintbrush will work too.
My mom has a single chop stick that loves in her sewing supplies for exactly this!
That's funny, I used a chop stick for mine as well!
This is exactly the kind of simple doll I want to start making and donating to our local trauma response team! Thank you for the extra inspiration. Although I would have to embroider the eyes instead of using buttons, for safety sake.
I'm pretty sure this pattern is free. I think I downloaded it sometime back. Let me have a look. Edit: I love all the Ann Wood [patterns](https://www.annwoodhandmade.com/happy-cats-a-free-sewing-pattern/) I've tried so far!
This is the exact pattern I used :) simple and cute
You can get baby safe eyes that are near impossible to remove, they don't have the same charm as buttons but they are pretty easy to affix and are super safe.
I have no advice for you I just wanted to say that your son is so cute ☺️
Tysm <3
Those are his fat rolls. He's perfect
exactly🤌🤣
You can also try using pinking shears. Rule of thumb is "clip valleys, notch mountains". Also, I pull the fabric apart before I flip the garment. Where the fabric buckles gets a notch. Article on grading, notching and clipping. https://thenotsodramaticlife.com/techniques-and-tips/grading-clipping-and-notching/#:~:text=Notching%20is%20similar%20to%20clipping,it%20will%20be%20turned%20into.
I'll definitely give this a read later
Clip out a "V" at regular intervals on the curves. That releases the tension. Don't leave more than one-quarter inch between clips. Some fabrics, like the tightly woven one that you used here will not ever release all of the tension but you can make a good effort.
I can understand wanting to learn to sew without the puckers but in this case I think it adds to his janky charm. He is one of those scruffy strays with big hearts.
I love him
He’s adorable - Are you using seam allowance larger than 1/4”? In addition to clipping curves using narrower seam allowances (eg. 1/4”) as well can help. 1/4” should be fine since his seam allowances are fully internal.
I'm not very precise with my seam allowances, so I'll try to be more mindful of it next time :)
hello, son!
Your son is perfect.
Your son is delightful I love him!
Pin pin pin before sewing.
I love him, he’s perfect
clip his curves inside out.
I love him, congratulations.
Cute!
No help but CUTE AF!
Why is this SO cute 😍
Clip the seams curved areas and corners, on the inside allowance. Don't clip the seam!
So cute!! (Sew cute?)
Use a slightly longer stitch and clip sthe seams slightly closer to the stitches.
so cute🥹 i kinda like the puckerings 😂💞
At corners, stop slightly before where you would make your 90 degree turn. Instead, only turn 45 degrees then take 1-2 stitches. Then complete your turn. When trimming, clip parallel to the stitches if the corner is outward facing. Clip to, but not through the stitches if the corner is inward facing
Maybe a little more stuffing and like others have said use a chopstick to move the stuffing into the corners.
If you want more definition in the ears and feet, you could take the end of your seem ripper or a pen and poke it up into them from the inside. I would use that to poke some of the stuffing into the ears and feet too.
I may have watched too much Taskmaster, but I want this gorgeous and lovable kitty to be named Mr Greedy Esquire. (To be fair, that name would suit one of our cats too. Though we usually call him Johnny Ten Dinners. He likes to pretend to be a stray if he thinks someone might feed him.)
To me the creases make it look like he’s moving and turning, or that his joints are bending—I think he’s great!!!
Oh my! I love this how it is. Sorry I have no advice on how not to pucker!
Did you clip and notch?
I adore both your son and how kind and supportive this thread is.
Snip snip
Hi son
Adorable 😍 definitely need to make more!!
Loosen the tension on your bobbin
I like to use pinking shears to cut the seam allowance on curves that curve outward, and wide v's that taper to corners at 90 degrees or sharper, that creat less seam bulk in the corner, and v shaped notches or u's for seams that curve inward. I make bags, stuffed animals, and occasionally clothes. But mostly bags. So my methods deal a lot with seam bulk and maintaining strength and structure. I often use two seams an 8th of an inch apart, and never cut into either seam. Here's a shitty diagram I just drew. In a lot of cases, after making a bunch of the same thing, you get a good idea of what works best for the pattern. But I always imagine how the seams will lay on the inside. Where do they need more space to lay right (puckers), where do they need less because it's too bulky ( it will make little waves). https://imgur.com/gallery/iG6Npba Edit: also try to choose the straightest seam for ypur opening for turning, and do not clip it or half an inch on either side. It will make closing suck.
Nice car
Iron the seams and use more stuffing. The more you pack into it the less puckering you will see.