30/3/13

The making of a hobbyhorse

Last Christmas I made a hobbyhorse for my niece, but I did not take pictures in the process. Now I was hired to make another on. This time I made some photos which I want to show you here. This is more an inspirational post than a tutorial.

Lets start! For the head we need seven pieces.

  • 2 side pieces
  • 2 felt ear pieces
  • 2 fabric ear pieces
  • 1 fabric strip 10 cm wide and as long as the circumference as the side pieces.

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1967

Sew a felt ear pieces to a fabric ear piece.

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Turn the ear inside-out.

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Fold ear in half and sew on the bottom.

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Repeat for the other ear.

For the head pin the side pieces to the fabric strip. Don’t forget to already put the ears in place.

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1973

Turn the head inside out.

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1974

For the harness prepare two strips of fabric 7.5cm wide and 140cm long.

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1976

Fold the fabric strips lengthwise 2 times (like in the banjolele strap tutorial) and sew them shut. Cut one 100cm piece and add hooks on the ends.

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1979Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1980

Gather more material. I use 2 buttons for eyes and two buttons for nostrils. Two large keyrings will become part of the harness. A dollar store walking stick becomes the “body” of the horse. Not shown are two bells which are attached to the harness.

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1982

After inserting the handle of the walking stick I filled the head with stuffing.

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1984

I folded the long neck of the head inwards and used thick embroidery thread to seal the neck by wrapping it tightly around (sorry, no picture here…).

For the harness I cut 3 strips of the strap and attached them to the keyrings. I did this step by step ensuring a tight fit on the horse head.

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1985

For the hair I cut wool threads of approx. 40cm length. I folded the threads and pulled the loop through the fabric on the neck. The ends of the thread are then pulled through the loop.

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1986

Finally the horse looks like this.You can cut the hair or add additional features.

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1987

That’s all!

6/3/13

How to Make a Banjo Uke Strap

Tired of having to sit down to play your banjolele? Make yourself a strap!

Here is how:

Step1: Make a plan.

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1943 (Medium)

Step 2: Gather your material. I used:

  • 2 fabric pieces 7cmx20cm
  • 1 fabric piece 7cmx97cm
  • 1 shoelace (about 70cm)
  • 2 plastic buckles for 2cm wide straps
  • 1 plastic strap slide

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1938 (Medium)

Step 3: Fold and iron the fabric pieces 2 times so you end up with 1.75cm wide straps.

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1939 (Medium)Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1941 (Medium)Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1942 (Medium)

Step 4: Now sew along the edges with a few millimeter allowance on all straps,

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1945 (Medium)

Step 5: Take on short strap and sew one part of one buckle to it by making a loop.

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1947 (Medium)Step 6: on the other end sew a loop.

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1948 (Medium) 

Step 7: Cut about 32 cm of the shoelace.

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Step 8: Make a knot so you have a 7cm loop.

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1950 (Medium)

Step 9: Stuff the ends into the loop of the short strap and sew over,

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1951 (Medium)Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1954 (Medium)

Step 10: Repeat Steps 6-9 for the other short strap.

Step 11: Sew the slider to the long strap. Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1956 (Medium)

Step 12: Push the loose end of the strap through the slider after looping through one buckle part,

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1958 (Medium)

Step 13: On the other end sew on the last buckle part, You have now a finished strap

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1959 (Medium)

To fixate your strap to the banjolele, disconnect the buckles and slide the shoelace loop through one of the metal J-hooks on the head.

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1961 (Medium)

Pull the other end of the short strap through,

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Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1964 (Medium)

Do this also with the second short strap and connect the long strap the short ones. You did it.

Figaflors_i_Braves_IMG_1966 (Medium)