McCall's: 6672 (Wall Decorations) - Type:Kids(boys & girls)
Review submitted in Sewing For Children Contest  | | Viewed 197 times
| | Review rated Very Helpful by 9 people | | Reviewed by: | Sandi S | 
 | About Sandi S | | NC USA | | Member since: 1/15/07 | | Reviews written: 818 | | Sewing skills:Advanced | | Favored by: 63 people | | patterns reviewed: 784 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 12/25/12 6:21 PM | | Project Photo: |  | | Pattern Photo: | 
McCall's Pattern Info | | Pattern Rating: | Highly Recommend | | See other patterns in this category: Crafts | Available for sale on PR: $14.96 (See envelope)  | | | | Fabric: | Faux Fur [See other projects in this fabric] | | Related Links | Click on  to add a link |
| My 7 year old son Benjamin loves giraffes - adores them! He has loved them for years, since he was a two year old in his stroller at the zoo. He has amassed a small collection of stuffed giraffes and giraffe-related items, but for Christmas, he asked for a giraffe. Now, I wish I could really give him a giraffe. They are such gorgeous gentle giants. We love to visit them especially since there is a new baby giraffe at the zoo. (Her name is Juma and she is precious!) We have fed the giraffes at the North Carolina zoo and that will only make you love them more.
Of course, there are many reasons why a real live giraffe will never be able to inhabit my backyard, but this pattern offered an interesting and fun facsimile of a sweet giraffe. As soon as I saw it, I knew I'd be making it for Benjamin for Christmas.
While this is a sewing pattern, you don't want to start this without some power tools handy. The pattern called for a double layer of glued corrugated cardboard which didn't seem like the easiest thing to come by, so I made a trip to Lowes Home Improvement with my husband. We picked up a 4'x8' sheet of a thick (1/2" at least) cardboard-like material that I think is used in roofing. The intended purpose isn't a big deal since we had an alternative plan for it.
I traced the pattern onto the board and we cut it with a jigsaw. The giraffe body gets covered with the fake fur and staple-gunned in place to the back. I sewed the pieces for the calves and hooves out of fake dark brown leather and cream wool felt. I ended up recutting the pieces wider than the pattern originally called for to make it easier to staple. (Note: two of the legs are attached and the third leg is constructed separately and then attached later.)
Giraffe: mid-construction
The head is sewn almost like a sock and slipped on the top of the giraffe. The facial details, including the eye, are hand-stitched. The horns are rolled and fringed brown felt that were hand stitched on as well.
For the mane, I sewed loops of dark brown yarn to a length of ribbon, cut the loops open, and then staple gunned the mane onto the giraffe.
The giraffe is stabilized on the back with thin pieces of wood that I purchased pre-cut in 2 two foot lengths and 2 three foot lengths. I attached those pieces with a brad nailer.
Getting this baby on the wall required some manipulation, but essentially, you staple ribbon onto the support boards and then use the ribbon to attach it to the wall.
I made this at my mom's house and thank goodness the seats in my Toyota Sienna fold down because this thing is about 6 feet tall! I hid him in the garage and waited until the rest of the gifts were opened before I brought him out (and my husband had the camera ready!).
Benjamin loved him and we installed him in the perfect spot in the boys' room(s) - they have a bedroom with a connected bonus room, so we placed him inside the second (bonus) room and Benjamin can give him a kiss before he comes down the steps into the main area. He's pretty huggable, too!
This is a big awkward project to make, but if you have a child who loves giraffes, it is definitely worthwhile! | Buy this pattern for $14.96 List Price: $19.95 Add to Bag  |
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18 Comments
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Oh my! Sandi you are totally incredible...except I believe it all...having watched over some years now the fabulous creations you make... this has got to top them!! Congratulations to you and your fabulous husband, who obviously supports you in your family interests. With admiration to your stedfast hard work in so many spheres of activity, and best wishes to you and all of your family!
12/25/12 6:38 PM
Sandi..it's wonderful!!! Benjamin looks so thrilled..he'll remember this always!! Good looking shirt he's wearing also...
12/25/12 6:54 PM
WOW. You are one special and talented mom.
12/25/12 7:45 PM
That is so cool! I bet you totally made his year!
12/25/12 10:37 PM
Oh my goodness, this is AMAZING!!! What kid wouldn't like this in their room. Heck I'd like it! :) And you have the perfect spot for it too. Benjamin's room is made for this. What a talented and wonderful mom you are! Great memories to keep for ever.
12/25/12 10:58 PM
This is so special. Just warms my heart. Terrific job.
12/26/12 1:46 AM
Whoa...this is really neat! Great job on this unique project!
12/26/12 3:52 AM
Wow, that is an amazing gift! He's a lucky fellow. LOVE it.
12/26/12 5:26 AM
Love this! What a special memory of love!
12/26/12 8:50 AM
OMG! This is a wonderful review...great pictures and explanation. This will bring your son many years of pleasure. Brought tears to my eyes! Thanks for sharing your son and giraffe! Adorable!
12/26/12 9:13 AM
Thanks for sharing this. What a wonderful gift for your son.
12/26/12 10:19 AM
All I can say is Wow! I think everyone said it all - such a great job! Such a special gift for Benjamin.
12/26/12 11:08 AM
This is so fantastic and you can be very content with yourself to have been able to fulfill his wishes
12/26/12 1:34 PM
What a great gift for your little guy!!! Love it!!!
12/26/12 2:29 PM
Wonderful, whimsical, and the s lie on Benjamin's face says it all! What a lovely gift.
12/26/12 9:01 PM
That's awesome!
12/27/12 10:14 AM
Wonderful job! Awesome gift!
12/30/12 12:05 PM
Often when I look through pattern books I think... "this pattern is great as shown on the envelope, but only because the pattern company has special sources for sewing notions, fabric, and tools...and unless you live in NY or Paris, it would probably be impossible to locate the things needed to make it look like their picture." You sure proved me wrong in this case!! Simply amazing! BTW: When I first saw the giraffe's back end, I thought there might be a person inside - like those horse puppets at the circus/theater!!
1/9/13 9:44 AM