A very good friend of mine is about to become a Mother for the first time.  She’s going to be an amazing Mother and I’m so very excited that she’s starting her family.  Her Mother lives overseas, so while she’s in the country to celebrate Christmas a baby shower is going to be held.

In my current sewing romance I decided I would make something as a gift for the baby shower, and when I saw Bonzer & Beaut from Melly & Me I just couldn’t resist.  Every Australian child should grow up with a Koala for a friend!

So yesterday I managed to knock up these two.  I’m not sure whether she’s having a boy or a girl, but I figured these are pretty unisex.  I’ve glued and stitched everything I could as I’m super paranoid about choking hazards.  My ladder stitch isn’t so great (which today thanks to a Melly & Me tutorial I realize its because it’s all wrong!) so I sewed the turning and stuffing hole closed with embroidery thread to make sure it has extra strength.

I ended up making some modifications to the pattern to take into consideration my level of skill.  The pattern recommends that you ladder stitch the ears in place, I actually just include them in the head seam as per the arms and feet.  I also add the nose and eyes on to the head before sewing up for stuffing.  This just means that I’m able to hide my stitches a little easier.  On Bonzer I did satin stitch for the eyes (my first ever attempt) and I’m pretty happy with them; even if they are a little lopsided.  With Beaut I cut out felt eyes.  I think either are successful, it’s really up to the individual.  My machine doesn’t do applique so with the ears and tummy I machine stitched the pieces on and then did some embroidered back stitch and blanket stitch to add decoration and further security.  I’m hoping the edges of these pieces will get the fashionable fraying happening.

All in all I’m really proud of them.  They look like they should – which is a major bonus – and they’re pretty cool.  I just hope the mum-to-be likes them!