Make Nine -- LuluLLama

Hello first favorite make of the year!!!! Get ready because this post will be full of happy exclamation points—I LOVE this make!!! I mean, just look at that sweet llama face! 

This Lulullama Pillow by Gingercakes is a pattern that’s been on my to-do list for at least four years, which is just one of a few reasons that it made my #makenine for 2022. I first came across it in a sewing group on Facebook when it was kind of having a “moment,” and I have had the pattern and fabric set aside for it since then. As a matter of fact, I have collected *several* faux furs in anticipation of their becoming llama pillows, so there may be more to come! 

I think the details of this pattern—the embroidered face, the patterned ears and tail, the yarn wig, the blanket—were making me nervous about jumping in. It all just looks so impressive, especially if you check out some of the beauties on IG using #lulullama! But we were gifting my daughter with a fully-decorated room for her 7th birthday (in a fun cactus and llama theme!), so it was time to just go for it. As it turns out, this pattern is straightforward and easy to follow, and the end result is really stunning—even if your handiwork isn’t particularly impressive. 

I used an inexpensive pink rosette minky fabric for the “fur,” something I probably got at Walmart or JoAnn. I think its short nap was easier to work with than a longer one would have been. Plus, the fact that the swirls are multidirectional meant that I didn’t have to be too careful the direction of the nap matching up. AND it was muuuch less messy than some other minky/nappy fabrics I’ve used, so I cried less during clean up! 

This llama’s cactus-printed blanket was made from a tea towel that I’ve been holding on to for the sake of her room—it even came with the tassels already attached! I added some sashiko-inspired embroidery to the ears and tail so that they would be nice and colorful. I am just learning to embroider; it is so nice to just work slowly with your hands at something so detailed and delicate! The instructions for embroidering the face were included in the pattern, and that came together simply, as well. I added the running stitches along the “nose” after having seen a similar addition by a member in my Facebook sewing group. Her designs were beautiful, far beyond my simple attempts. Don’t get me wrong, though…simple or not, I expect my daughter to notice and treasure each loving stitch! 

I stuffed it about 90% of the way will polyfil, and then put a “core” of fabric scraps right in the center to fill it out the rest of the way. That gave it a nice heft, some comforting weight that polyfil alone wouldn’t have achieved. Then, of course, I HANDSTITCHED the gap closed, and could practically hear my future grandchildren sighing over the the effort and thoughtfulness that I put into what will surely become an heirloom. I am terrible at hand stitching, so they won’t exclaim over my skill, but the plush fur covered my flaws. (Can something with pink polyester faux fur make it as an heirloom? Don’t tell me, if not. My great-grandchildren say yes, it can.)  

All in all, this little llama—who has imaginatively been christened “Pinky”—came together in around three hours, including cutting. It was SUCH a satisfying weekend sew, and I am SO happy with how it turned out…

…that it almost makes up for the fact that #hig2point0 gave it exactly 2 seconds of notice before moving on to other birthday gifts. 🙃 It’s fine. My great-great grandchildren’s admiration will sustain me.