TerryGami, Washcloth Crafts

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Washcloth Crafts, Creating Storybook Characters with Washcloth Crafts!


TerryGami, 15 Cloth Toy and Ornament Projects for Crafters, Teachers, and Children

Washcloth Owl

The book is now available in paperback!

The book is available at:

Welcome to washcloth crafts!
Someone asked if TerryGami can be used to make a storybook character. I can say for sure that some of the critters in the current book and in the upcoming books can be changed to resemble different famous storybook characters, but for legal reasons, I probably shouldn’t say which ones. If you have a character in mind, try to do a little tweaking on the critters because it can be done.

I will say that in the next book, the hare can be made into a lop-eared bunny, and in this book, the owl can be made into a famous young wizard’s owl. You should be able to pick up a bundle of 18 thin,white washcloths at a famous department store right now!

So, use your imagination and consider the possibilities when looking at the TerryGami critters. The reindeer and the snowman also have possibilities when Christmas rolls around.

I hope a lot of fun can be had by all with TerryGami!

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Washcloth Crafts, Teaching kids to follow instructions using TerryGami!

Albino Washcloth Bat


Black Bat with Washcloth Raised Wings


TerryGami, 15 Cloth Toy and Ornament Projects for Crafters, Teachers, and Children

The book is now available online in soft cover!

The book is available at:

Does anyone really like to read instructions? I am not even happy at the sight of a long recipe. I have to make myself a cup of tea and sit down to prepare myself for the task of deciphering it. I would much rather have the information directly downloaded into my brain, so don’t be surprised if I am the first to have a Matrix or Borg-like attachment in my head, if the technology ever becomes available.

Craft instructions are no different to me. If I can just look at the pictures or illustrations to figure it out, I will. This is why I have made the illustrations in my book as easy as possible to understand. Even the print in the book is large, because the site of long paragraphs of microscopic print has always been a huge turn off to me.

However, as we all know, but hate to admit, it is always better to read through the instructions first. Doggone it anyway! This is a lesson everyone should learn early. I suppose I have fought it all my life, but it’s true.

If using the TerryGami book to teach this important concept, have the children read through the entire set of instructions first. The illustrations will help them visualize as they go through the assembly of the critter or ornament. If you can, let them put their feet up and have a cup of hot chocolate or something to make the experience pleasant. Well, maybe this is going too far, but this should cut down on the questions to mom or instructor, and hopefully, will prevent them from ever becoming as instruction phobic as I am.

Think about what is like to finally figure out how to assemble something. For me, once I know what I am supposed to do, I can hardly wait to get started. Hopefully, the idea of making a cute critter will serve as a catalyst to inspire the kids to complete the project. The TerryGami washcloth craft instructions are designed so the crafter can just glance back at the illustrations to find their place in the process. Check out the free Boo Boo Bunny instructions on the TerryGami website for an example of the instructions.

If you are making bats for a classroom or a large homeschool gathering or a Scout troop meeting, start working on them now! By the way, you can always let the kids put on the eyes, nose and fangs. Classroom time is often so limited these days, so plan ahead. By the way, you can also glue the bat with non-toxic, non-flammable fabric glue, but apply the glue with a toothpick to avoid any messes.

To the lucky homeschoolers who are using the fall as their off time (a neat idea if you ask me!), TerryGami can be a fun way to sneak in a little learning without the kids realizing it. You can teach them how to sew and how to follow instructions at the same time! Don't forget, you can use wide-eyed, blunt-end needles with terrycloth. Oh, and you will be teaching them how to make a washcloth critter, too!

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Friday, September 2, 2011

Washcloth Crafts, Try something new with Washcloth Projects!


Washcloth Owl


Washcloth Santa


TerryGami, 15 Cloth Toy and Ornament Projects for Crafters, Teachers, and Children

Washcloth Easter Eggs

The book is now available in paperback!

The book is available at:

Etsy

Welcome to washcloth crafts!

With all of the creative people out there, many crafters will be experimenting with the faces on the TerryGami critters. Please do! Mix and match the projects within the book to suit your own creative sensibilities.

For example, at the time it didn’t occur to me to put eye glasses on the Graduation Owl, but if you have bead wire, try to use the Santa’s spectacles in the book on the owl. Improvise a bit and make the nose bridge and the rims of the glasses a little wider. Use a fat sharpie to increase the size of the spectacle’s rims, if need be. Also, the Santa can be made with other color cloths, to match your decor.

Also, the owl, with a few modifications, can be a favorite young wizard’s snowy owl. This may be a fun activity for a Halloween or birthday party. Just use a black fabric marker to make the black markings on the owl. Make the body of the owl in advance, and then let the kids put on the facial features and the markings. Fortunately, there are packages of white cloths available now, 18 to a package. Stock up on white now for the snowmen, angels and the Santa, too.

The apple and the pumpkin can be interchanged, too, with a little modification. For example, make the apple with an orange cloth and you will have a smoother face for a Jack ‘O Lantern. Use brown yarn to cover the stem, instead of jute or rope or cover the stem with a corner from a brown washcloth, as in the apple instructions.

Think outside of the box; kids do! I haven't experimented with it yet, but the Easter Egg could be a football, if made with a brown washcloth with white felt and yarn sewn or glued on to make the threads and markings. Wide-eyed needles can easily be threaded with yarn. To hide the knot in the yarn, gently pull the knot through the material, and then leave the knot on the inside of the football. Make each end of the egg as pointed as possible. Making the Easter Egg into a football didn’t occur to me until the children who were helping to vet the instructions started to throw the egg around like a football! Well, of course they would think of that; they're kids!

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Washcloths in Fall Colors Are Here!


Washcloth Turkey

TerryGami, 15 Cloth Toy and Ornament Projects for Crafters, Teachers, and Children

The book is now available in paperback!

The book is available at:

Thankfully, Wal-Mart has come through with washcloths in fall colors this year! The 18 packages of Mainstays washcloths are now available in a variety of colors. Colors to make pumpkins, turkeys, and mixed with plenty white cloths for the snowman, angel, Santa and the albino bat. We still need Christmas red, and black for those who want black bats, if anyone is listening! See my post on dyeing cloths, if you really want black bats.

For the turkey, I used a thicker, borderless washcloth, but when you use the thinner cloths, you can always stuff him with quilt batting, if you need to plump him up a bit. It may require a bit of sculpting, but all of the critters require a little of that. The colors available in these fall packages should make for pretty cute turkeys – gold, rust, orange, brown, and green. Don't forget to add a "feather" or two when using the thin cloths.

There will eventually be a need for a purple cloth for Dracula when the holiday celebs book comes out, but that will be a while. Save all the colors and use the ones you absolutely can’t abide for dishcloths and rags. I used to worry that I wouldn’t have the right colors until I realized that even though I had green cloths to make the tortoise, none of the kids picked green; they made pink, yellow, and purple tortoises instead! The same with the hare and the color brown. No one made a brown hare. (The tortoise and hare will be in the next book.)

Don't forget to stock up on the fall colors now!

Happy Crafting and Happy Fall!

~Terry

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Washcloth Critter Tips -- Miscellaneous Ramblings


Washcloth bat with raised wings.

Washcloth Snowman

TerryGami, 15 Cloth Toy and Ornament Projects for Crafters, Teachers, and Children

The book is now available in paperback!

The book is available at:

Welcome to washcloth crafts!

The washcloth bat can be a treat in and of itself, but you may want to add an extra treat inside of the critter’s tummy. Make the body of the bat a bit longer so you can hide a piece of candy or a plastic Halloween ring, like a spider ring, for example.

You can find all sorts of small plastic party treats at online sites such as the Oriental Trading Company or at party stores. If you are going to use chocolate candy, make sure it is wrapped well, especially in hot climates, or you may have a mess on your hands.

When making the pumpkin, you may want to consider some other options for the stem. It can be wrapped in yarn or twine, instead of jute .It can also be covered with a corner of washcloth, like the Teacher’s Boo Boo Apple is. At one time, I was an avid macramér, so I have always been partial to jute, which now a days can be hard to find. Raffia may be another option for wrapping the stem, or as the bow around the stem.

I like to use quilt batting to stuff the critters with because it can be cut into strips and placed easily between the rolls. As I have warned several times, kids can get carried away with stuffing the snowman, so either have plenty of batting on hand or be prepared to police the situation. The snowman can get pretty pudgy without supervision!

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

It's time to make bats, pumpkins and turkeys!

Washcloth Bat

Washcloth Pumpkin or Jack 'O Lantern


Washcloth Turkey

TerryGami, 15 Cloth Toy and Ornament Projects for Crafters, Teachers, and Children

The book is now available in paperback!

The book is available at:

I had hoped to get the next book ready by this fall, but unfortunately, we have had a death in the family and various problems to contend with this summer. If you are looking for more in the way of washcloth crafts, I plan to begin working on the second book again very soon.

I have several more books in the works, too, which include more holiday icons and critters. I’ll keep you posted on its' progress, but in the mean time, I hope the first book will keep everyone busy for a while.

Remember, everyone can use the wide-eyed, blunt-end needles when working with terrycloth, including adults. It is so much easier to thread the needle. I use the darning needles.

Some of the items in the book will appeal to crafters for bazaar sales, some to group and troop leaders, and moms and dads who homeschool their children. The list of factoids should help make the project informative, as well.

It's time to make bats, pumpkins and turkeys. Just use foam board or felt to make the face of the Jack 'O Lantern. I really like the glittered foam board. Use non-toxic, non-flammable fabric when gluing to terrycloth. You really need to use it, even with the foam board or felt is sticky-backed.

Please check out the tips and ideas in the previous blogs, and please like us on Facebook, when you have the time.

Happy Crafting!

~Terry

Monday, August 29, 2011

Washcloth Angel !


Washcloth Angel


Washcloth Bat with a Little Glitz


Washcloth Snowman


TerryGami, 15 Cloth Toy and Ornament Projects For Crafters, Teachers, and Children

The book is now available in paperback!

The book is available at:

The TerryGami washcloth angel can be accessorized in many different ways to save money. For example, the halo can be made from gold or silver metallic pipe cleaners to reduce the cost, or even gold or silver cording can be use, especially if making multiple angels. Glitter or metallic yarn may even be a possibility, too.

Hearts and facial features can be made from gold or silver foam board, instead of sequins. Ribbon can be used instead of cord or lame’. The lame’ can also be used to hang the angel on the tree, just sew a loop through the head.

Discount department stores now have the packages of all white thin washcloths, and they can be found on line, too. The white cloths are great for the angel, snowman and Santa, and even for an albino bat. Note, too, that real buttons can be used on the snowman. Michael's sometimes has small, plastic canisters of buttons in their dollar section. A pattern for the snowman hat is in the book, but you may prefer the store bought version.

The book will be available online in the UK and Canada shortly.

Happy Crafting!

~Terry