G is for Growth Chart!!

My friend’s kid Alec turned one this week. As I was looking for ideas for a gift, I came across the book “B is for Baby” by Suzonne Stirling in the library. When I saw this giraffe growth chart, you know I couldn’t resist making it!!!! Not only because it is totally adorable, but also because my friend is a giraffe lover herself!!!!

Pattern: From book “B is for Baby” by Suzonne Stirling
p.60 “Giraffe Growth Chart”
Size: 20” x 59”
Completion Date: 10-20-2011

I was very lucky to have found the perfect fabrics for this project, and even have enough leftovers to make a second one – but that will be a future project. What I love about this growth chart is you can mark the heights directly on the canvas instead of the wall, that way if you have to move or remodel in the future, you will still be able to keep the records for yourself.

This is a quick and simple project that involve little sewing. almost everything is done by simply using iron-on adhesive and glue. It can easily be done in an afternoon or two. I actually make a few changes, including using a wiggle eye instead of fabric ones, and adding wooden dowels with end caps to finish the look.

As for the numbers, I could not find the rub-on transfers that the book called for anywhere!!!! So I thought maybe I can use stamps. But do you know how difficult it is to find numeric stamps?! I must have went to three or four craft stores but all they had were either alphabets or I had to buy a whole set for the numbers!!! Then it dawned to me – why don’t I use stencils?! I still had to buy a set for the numbers but there were actually several different fonts in the correct size for me to choose from, plus stencils were a lot cheaper then stamps!!! I am actually very happy of the result.

So happy birthday, baby Alec!!! May you grow as tall and elegant like a giraffe!!