This is a great tutorial for Easter; teaching you how to make this adorable Easter Bunny. This gift is perfect for people who can’t have chocolates and sweets for Easter and it also makes a cute keepsake!
You will need:
Sewing machine
Iron
Needle and thread
Embroidery floss
Scissors
Small piece of felt
Interfacing
Toy stuffing
Templates – visit, http://www.knitwits-owls.blogspot.co.uk/p/patterns-and-tutorials.html
2 single fat quarter pieces from The Craft Cotton Company’s Pastel Floral fat quarter set
(Finished dimensions- 10" head to toe, 17" with ears, 15" width)
First, cut out your fabrics:
Print off templete and cut out pieces. Choose 1 fat quarter piece for the main part and another fat quarter to be the contrast.
Place pieces on fabric and cut out. Remember to make sure directional prints are facing the right way.
Pin two arm pieces right sides together. Using a 1cm seam allowance, sew around the outside leaving a gap at the top.
Clip the curves of the arm to where the fabric has been sewn (this will ensure a neat curve when the arm is turned the right-side out).
Repeat with other arm and give both arms a quick iron to get any wrinkles out.
Turn the arms the right-side out and fill with the toy stuffing.
Next, make the ears:
Iron interfacing to the wrong side of your contrast fabric for the ear. Place ears right-sides together and sew around the edge using a 1cm seam allowance and leaving a gap at the bottom.
Clip the curves of the ear to where the fabric has been sewn (this will ensure a neat curve when the ear is turned the right-side out).
Repeat with other ear.
Tip: using a chopstick helps to turn things through nicely without ripping stitches.
Fold edges of bunny ears to centre and pin in place.
Now, sew the body, arms and ears:
Place the bunny’s body right side up and position the ears and arms where you want them (remember, they need to be positioned inwards).
Place second body on top, with wrong-side facing up, and pin around the edges (make sure to pin arms and ears) making a ‘bunny sandwich’. Remember to leave a gap on one side to turn through.
Tip: sometimes it helps to pin the arms and ears together so they don’t shift around when you sew.
Sew around the edges making sure to catch the ears and arms and making sure to leave a gap.
Note: a smaller stitch length makes it easier to negotiate curves.
Turn the body through the gap and give it a quick iron. Fill the body with the toy stuffing.
Slip stitch the opening closed.
Next, make the tail:
Hand sew around the edge of your tail piece using a 1cm seam allowance.
Pull thread making it gather. As it gathers stuff with toy stuffing.
Pull thread so the gap closes and secure with a few stitches.
Now sew to your bunnies bum!
Tip: easier alternative is to use a pom pom. Now the main construction is finished, I like to give the ears a quick iron, just to get rid of any creases that occurred from pulling through.
Finally, add the face
Decide on a face to give your bunny (I find it helps to sketch any ideas out on a piece of paper beforehand).
Start with your felt and cut a triangle for the nose, then using embroidery floss (or thread), sew to the face. Then use embroidery floss (or thread) to add eyes. Alternatively, you can use buttons but remember to put buttons on securely if you are giving the bunny to children.
Tie a bow around its neck or make a bow-tie. Then either give to a small child or keep for yourself!
Making the design your own:
Having a simple design means there are hundreds of ways you can make it your own! Here are a few ideas:
Change the face, sleeping eyes, open eyes, eyelashes, buttons, felt!
Change the size!
Why not enlarge your pattern and make a mummy and baby? Or a daddy and baby? Or a whole family of bunnies!
Scrap buster! Why not make one using only your scraps- of course the pieces don't need to match!
Omit the arms! This bunny looks just as cute without arms, this is perfect if you don’t have a lot of fabric!
Make it memorable! Why not make one from old baby clothes or a loved ones shirt?
Easter egg hunt! You could even make bunnies to hide around your home/garden for an Easter egg hunt! Or you could hold an Easter party and use them as prizes!
© by Frankie Carson at KnitWitsOwls for The Craft Cotton Company 2016