During the show, guest Jeen Brown fashioned an irresistible stuffed rabbit using chenille-an ever-popular and timeless fabric. This low-sew project is relatively simple and does not require a sewing machine or a pattern. After the bunny is cut, stuffed, gathered, and stitched, he can be made to sit or stand and there are several options for the eyes and nose. Have fun designing your own creation.
Materials:
four Wimpole Street Creations chenille cuts, 18" x 30" each
Wimpole Street Creations multi-plaid craft-weight dish towel #DTL-M1
six yards of linen thread
one skein white embroidery floss
one-inch pink button for each eye
three-inch square piece of pink fleece or felt for nose
36 inches of 18-guage wire
two bags of polyester fiberfill
matching thread
#18 chenille needle
glue
optional - beeswax
Steps:
- Cut four feet, one tail, and one ear piece on the fold from two of the chenille cuts. Cut one ear piece on the fold from the dish towel. Tear the remaining portion of the dish towel into two, 5" x 28" strips.
- Place the right sides of the remaining two chenille cuts together. Machine-stitch the two long sides to form a tube (figure A). Turn the bag right side out. Measure 16 inches from one end of the tube and hand-stitch around the tube using 12 strands of floss. Pull tight to gather and secure the threads.
- Hand-stitch around the bottom of the tube 1/4 inch from the edge using 12 strands of floss. Stuff with fiberfill, then tighten the gathers, knot and trim the threads to form the body.
- Hand-stitch around the top of the tube 1/4 inch from the edge using 12 strands of floss. Stuff with fiberfill, tighten the gathers, knot and trim to form the head. Lay the bunny down so the seams are atthe sides, and shape the bunny.
- Hand-gather 1/4 inch from the edges of the feet and tail pieces using six strands of floss. Stuff with fiberfill, pull tight to gather and secure the threads. Hand-stitch or glue the feet to the underside of the body and tail to the gathered end of the bunny body (figure B).
- Pin the dish towel and chenille ear pieces with right sides together. Stitch around the outside of the ears with a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving a small center section open for turning. Turn and press.
- Bend the wire to form a narrow loop (figure C). Insert the wire in the ears, then stitch the opening closed. Pinch the center of the ears to gather, and secure with floss. Sew to the bunny at the back of the head.
- Stitch two short ends of the long dish towel pieces together. Tie around the bunny's neck.
- Hand-gather 1/4 inch from the edge of the pink fabric. Place a small amount of fiberfill in the center, tighten the gather, knot and trim the threads. Glue onto the end of the bunny's face for a nose, covering the gathering stitches. Sew the buttons on for eyes.
- Pull the linen thread over beeswax for extra body if desired. Cut into twelve 18" lengths, and thread four strands through the cheeks in three places for whiskers. Knot the whiskers close to the chenille on both sides of the face and trim to the desired length (figure D).
Resources Let's Make It Chenille
by Wimpole Street Creations
Patterns included.
Barrett House/Wimpole Street Creations
Website:
www.barrett-house.com
pre-cut chenille fabric, multi-plaid dish towel - Barrett
Barrett House/Wimpole Street Creations
Website:
www.barrett-house.com
Guests Jeen Brown
Owner, Wimpole Street Creations
Website:
www.barrett-house.com
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