Totoro

My son loves this movie, and my family has a rather large affection for Ghibli films in general.  See image to the left, if you've never heard of the film.  While looking at Ghibli images one day, I happened upon a pattern for making a Totoro.
 

I decided it would be fun to try my hand at making one for my son. The only thing is, I've never sewn ANYTHING before. But, I'm craftsy when I want to be. So I gave it a go. 

So, here is my first attempt at making a Totoro. 

I think I did fairly well. He loves it. It is actually made out of T-shirt material. It took a reallly long time because T-shirt material is very floppy, and because I had no sewing machine! 

Well, then I had several people say they loved it, and that they wanted one. But I really wasn't looking to make and sell them! I kept turning it down, saying, no I really just did this for my son. But then Kristen, a lovely young woman I work with, came to me and asked a second time. She wanted it as a gift for a friend. Well, how can I say no to that? 

I made some modifications to the pattern, and used felt instead. And this was the final product. 

I'm pretty happy with this one. And I think by the time I am ready to make a third one for my daughter, I should be a pro! Also, Kristen really loved it. I gave her a miniature one as well to go along with it, but I forgot to photograph it! Oh well. I'll just have to make more, right? 

Allyson