How to Sew a Quilted Stuffed Sheep

Materials and Tools:

sheep pattern
Bali cotton fabric
muslin
sewing machine and thread
scissors
tracing wheel and paper
polyester batting
quilt batting
safety eyes
needle and thread
pins
iron and ironing board

Steps:

1. Trace and cut out all pattern pieces from Bali fabric and muslin for the backing.

2. Trace topstitching lines (from the paper pattern) to the fabric with a tracing wheel.

3. Layer small swatches of thin quilt batting where needed, and stitch all pattern pieces to all muslin backs.

4. Sew sheep body pieces together.

5. Wash the sheep's finished body in hot water and dry it in a hot dryer to create a shriveled texture.

6. Mark the placement of eyes and attach safety eyes.

7. Stuff the sheep's body with polyester batting and hand-stitch the belly closed.

8. Make 12 ring-shaped ruffles that are the circumference of the sheep body.

9. Slip the 12 ring-shaped ruffles on in order (the smallest near face, the largest at belly).

10. Hand-sew the ruffles to the body. Note: The sheep will look complete with the rings just slipped on. Sewing secures the ruffles.