Winner, winner, lobster dinner!

We have a winner! Congrats to la gatta che ricama! You are the winner of a free Seafood Platter pattern. Enjoy! Thanks to all who participated!

New Pattern and a Giveaway!

Here at Gulf Coast Cottage, we have been cooking up some softie seafood! To celebrate our newest pattern- we are giving one free Seafood Platter PDF pattern to a lucky winner. For details about the pattern, click HERE.

To enter: (Leave a separate comment for each chance to win)

1. Leave a comment naming a favorite toy from YOUR childhood. Don't forget to leave your email so I can contact you if you are the winner.

2. For a second chance to win, "like" us on facebook. If you already do- be sure to let us know. Let us know in a separate comment.

3. For a third entry- tweet this giveaway & post the link to your tweet. Leave a separate comment.



Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry and don't forget to leave your email.

Giveaway closes at 11:59 pm EST February 6, 2011. A winner will be chosen randomly and notified by email. Winner will be announced February 7, 2011. Giveaway open to US residents only.

We have a winner!

The winner for our 10 pattern bundle is magpienight! Congratulations!! Thanks to everyone who participated! I had so much fun with this giveaway, I hope to have more in the future. Stay tuned.

New Year Giveaway!

The holidays are over, and I have a feeling there are plenty of play kitchens that need stocking! Perhaps the play workbench is in need of some tools? We are giving one reader a big ol' 10 pattern bundle of PDF patterns (winners choice)!

To enter: (Leave a separate comment for each chance to win)

1. Go to my Etsy shop and find your favorite pattern. Leave one comment here- letting me know which is your favorite. Don't forget to leave your email so I can contact you if you are the winner.

2. For a second chance to win, "like" us on facebook. If you already do- be sure to let us know. Let us know in a separate comment.

3. For a third entry- tweet this giveaway & post the link to your tweet. Leave a separate comment.


Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry and don't forget to leave your email.


Giveaway closes at 11:59 pm EST January 11, 2011. A winner will be chosen randomly and notified by email. Winner will be announced January 12, 2011. Giveaway open to US residents only.

Whip Stitch Tutorial

This photo tutorial is for the whip stitch, useful in sewing two pieces of felt together. Start by threading your needle, and tying a knot in one end.



1. Put needle through felt, from in between pieces.



2. Next, pull needle all the way through and put needle through both pieces of felt- slightly at a diagonal.



3. Continue this process, always putting your needle through the same side of fabric. Evenly space stitches- for a neater look.



4. When ready to tie off with a knot- put needle through last stitch to make a loop.



5. Put needle through loop- and pull gently until a knot forms.



For a blanket stitch tutorial click here.

Blanket Stitch Tutorial

Finally, after many requests I have finished a couple stitch tutorials. Both stitches are great to use when sewing felt pieces together.

Blanket Stitch

The blanket stitch is a popular stitch, used to make a decorative edge. You can change the effect of the end product by changing the length in between stitches, and the depth of the stitch.

Here is a video tutorial for a blanket stitch- a picture tutorial follows.



Step by step photo tutorial:



1. Thread a needle with embroidery floss. Tie a knot in one end. Put needle through felt (from in between layers).



2. Put needle through both layers of felt, about 1/4" away from your first stitch.



3. Pull thread until you have a small loop left.



4. Put needle through loop, from behind.



5. Pull thread until your stitch is snug. Don't pull too hard, or your fabric will bunch.



6. Put needle through both layers again, the same distance (1/4") apart.



7. Put needle through loop from behind. Continue this process until you are finished.

For a corner- the stitch needs to be pulled, so the floss lays at a diagonal as shown:





When finished, tie a knot to one of the last stitches, and put needle in between layers of felt- clip excess floss.





For a whip stitch tutorial, click here.

Easter Pattern!

Here comes the Easter Bunny! Look what he has in his fun felt Easter basket! A tall sweet dark chocolate bunny, a cute little milk chocolate bunny, jelly bean sugar cookies, decorated egg shaped sugar cookies - and you can't forget the colorful marshmallow bunnies! Tuck it all inside the woven Easter basket- and play away!

New Felt Friends Patterns!

Welcome to the Cupcake Cottage ~ where life is sweet, and friendship is bountiful! Lilly and Violet are the tiny friends who reside here, spending their days playing games and baking cupcakes of course.













Super, square with a retro flair!! Introducing Rocky Robot. Take him to space, to the movies, or his favorite- dance the robot! Finished robot size is approx 15" (38.1 cm) tall, and 13" (33 cm) arm span. Cool claws for hands, "gears" and a faux wind up key in the back.














Meet Miss Ginger Greeneyes, and Pepper Pocketmouse! They are the best of friends- and go everywhere together. Their favorite past time however is climbing trees. Ginger measures almost 14" tall when finished, has the sweetest pink pads on her paws (even the legs) and the cutest curly tail. Pepper is a teeny tiny little thing- at only 1.5" long.











This is Co-Co~ the ballerina bunny. She is dressed up for her first recital~ in her pink tu-tu, and ballet slippers. Super sweet & petite she measures about 17" from the top of her ears- to the tips of her toes.

More Fun Patterns For Your Play Kitchen

It's taco time! Get the fiesta started with this tasty pattern! Crunchy & soft tacos, Steak fajitas with pepper strips & mushrooms, colorful tortilla chips (restaurant style), and finally, a spicy garnish of jalapeno and red chili peppers!











It's Toasteriffic! For a pretend breakfast in a hurry- what could be better than a pretend toaster? Just pop your favorite toaster food in, and voila! Breakfast is ready!! From a poppy seed bagel with removable cream cheese, little square waffles with separate syrup & butter, to a chocolate iced toaster pastry with a vanilla drizzle on top- this pattern makes it all.








Fire up your pretend grill- and invite all of your friends- it's time for a Backyard Barbeque! Whether your BBQ favorite is a juicy T-bone steak, a hot dog on a bun, or a cheeseburger with all the fixings- this pattern has got it all! Flip your steak & burger with a fun spatula, and turn your hot dog with working tongs.

Free Pattern!

Feature my shop on your blog (including a link to my shop), and receive a free sushi roll pattern! All you have to do is send an email to GulfCoastCottagePDF@comcast.net with a link to your blog & email you would like you pattern sent to.

Tasty new goodies.....

Candy Coated House and Gingerbread Family


Give in to your sweet tooth with this candy coated cottage playset! Loads of luscious lollipops, and colorful candy "buttons". The sweetest gingerbread family lives here- Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister and a bitty little Baby too!

English Muffin Breakfast Sandwich Set

One of my favorite breakfasts! A fresh english muffin, large sausage (or soysage) patty, slice of yellow american cheese- and an amazingly circular fried egg. Stack them any way you like it, have a crispy hashbrown and wash it down with some fresh squeezed orange juice.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Lunch

Get out your picnic basket and pack up this fun felt meal! A peanut butter & grape jelly sandwich, cheesy curls in a little bag, a strawberry juice pouch- and don't forget about dessert! A tasty chocolate chunk cookie.

Gulf Coast Cottage PDF

Last year for my Daughters birthday- I was looking for safe, imaginative, toys. It was really difficult to be sure the items I found in stores were REALLY safe. So- I commissioned my Father to build a kitchen set from solid wood- (immediately upon it's completion it was painted pink) and there began my obsession with felt.




I had never really been a big fan of felt- (things certainly have changed) but it seemed to be a great medium to start with. Being a professional upholsterer and seamstress- it was a task that was new and exciting. And so, my designs of play food have been coming ever since.




Welcome to the grand opening for Gulf Coast Cottage PDF your new resource for fabulous DIY patterns! Now you can know exactly what the things your children play with are made from- because YOU made it!

All of the patterns I make are inspired by my children and everyday life. A small sampling of what we offer.....

Four Fabulous Felt Mini Cupcakes pattern....a sampler sure to satisfy every ones taste! Carrot cake, pink frosting with a cherry on top, cocoa lemon chiffon and a chocolate mini cuppy with a drizzle of vanilla icing. Yum!!



Get ready for Thanksgiving early with this tasty Drumstick Dinner pattern- complete with mashed potatoes & gravy, and bright baby carrots!

Invite all of your bears and dollies- it's time for a tea party! Make some Tea Party Sweets for your next get together, whether it be real OR pretend!