Easter Pillow tutorial...

I'm sure many of you are hustling around getting ready for Easter this weekend, but I thought I'd share this fun pillow with you. As of late I've been doing lots of embroidery and working with wool. I have to say I'm a bit hooked. So I was fooling around with my stash and ideas and came up with fun and easy pillow. Here's what I did...


For this project you'll need...

12 to 16 charm squares
fusible fleece
wool scraps
embroidery floss
embellishing beads
poly fill
fork pins


First I took my charm squares and sewed them into a patch work.

 

Then I cut the pieces charms into two strips, one 2" and 3" by the length of the charm strip.

 

 

Then I flipped one of the strips around and sewed them back together. Using fork pins to keep my seams nested nicely.

 

Once I sewed all my strips together to the size of pillow I wanted I placed my patch work on to my fusible fleece and pressed.

 

 

Once things were fused nicely I quilted the top with some cross-hatch action! I marked my fabric with an x so then I could just use my walking-foot guide to space my quilting.

 

 

After it was all quilted I began playing with my embellishments. I free-handed a bunny on some steam a seam and pressed in onto a scrap of wool. Once it was fused nicely I blanket stitched around the bunny with some coordinating floss and made a french knot for an eye.

 

 

Lastly I made some flowers with scraps, by cutting some petals stitching them together and then attaching them to the bunny. I added some beads to finish them off.

 

 

 

Finally all there is left to do is square up your pillow top with your backing fabric, sew, and stuff!

 

 

I stitched around my pillow to close up the hole and create an edge to the pillow and then you're done!

 

 

 

Hope you give one a try! Have a wonderful and blessed Easter!

Happy stitching and may your bobbin always be full!

Easter Bunnies...

Did you know that The Parish carries wool? Well, we do. I have to admit I'm a little addicted to working with wool and would love to get more projects in! Currently we have a wonderful Christmas kit that features wool called Winter Woolyland and a Primitive Gatherings pattern call Home for the Holidays that features wool and cotton.

Winter Woolyland...

 

 

Primitive Gatherings Home for the Holidays...

But in keeping with Crafting Month and the fact that Easter is just around the corner, I thought I'd use some of the wool we have on the bolt and make some fun Easter Bunnies!! So here's what I did...

Thanks to the Purlbee for their wonderful template and tutorial... Click here for the bunny template.

First, I traced the templates on to template plastic, since I knew my bunnies needed a family.

Next, I cut out all my shapes and then traced them on to the wool. You need two colors to create one bunny. I have an assortment of browns and greys. You need about a yard of the main color and then 1/4 of a yard for the contrasting fabric.

This was actually the longest part of the process. Once you get everything traced and cut, you'll be on your way to your bunny family!

Next begin sewing your pairs together. Inner/outer ear, legs, arms. The head and body are a little more tricky, but not really.

Once you have your pairs sewn, then you are ready to tackle the head. There are three parts to the head, a top and two sides; don't forget to put your ears in! You will need to sew the sides to the top and then flip out your head to get this...

Now you're ready to tackle the body. You want to be sure to leave an opening for stuffing on one set, on the other leave openings for the arms and legs. Refer to your templates.

After you've sewn all your pieces together, you are now ready to stuff! I let my kiddos help me. It was fun!

Stuff your arms and legs only!

Once your arms and legs are stuffed you will need to get them inside the body to sew them in. Be sure that your legs are facing the right way. The stuffing hole should be in the back. If you get it wrong you can always fix it the way I did. :) Don't ask!!??

Then flip your bunny out! It should begin to look like a bunny now. Next you need to flip everything back in and put your head inside. Use a back stitch around the neck twice to be sure your little guys head stays on well. Then flip him out again and it's time to stuff!

Stuff away! As you can see, I didn't get my stuffing hole in the back. So I had to improvise and I appliqued a heart on my bunny.

I think it turned out cute with the heart. It's the way to take a mistake and make it into a design element! Next embroider the eyes and nose and you're done! Lovable and soft!!

Happy sewing and may your bobbin always be full! Make a basket full of bunnies and have a happy Easter!