Quick Stitch Felt Animals 9 felt animals to hand sew, embellish and love
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION… p 3 OWL… p 7 HEDGEHOG… p 8 SNAIL MOMMA & BABY… p 9 BAT… p 10 BUNNY & CARROT… p 11 ROCKET, ASTRONAUT, & ALIEN… p 12 MONSTER… p 13 BUTTERFLY… p 14 SQUIRREL… p 15
MATERIALS LIST… p 4 STITCHING BASICS….p 5 CONSTRUCTION HOW-TO’S… p 6 QUICK STITCH TEMPLATES
INTRODUCTION
I have always been fascinated with dolls, stuffed animals or little characters. While growing up I have had a small, yet ever growing collection. When I started quilting and sewing I decided that I would give doll design a try. I have loved every minute of it and all the little characters that have come to life along the way. During this process of designing, I came up with a series of “Quick Stitch”. The idea is something in the small realm that can be stitched by hand, quickly. These are great for beginner stitcher’s of any age or experience. My hope is that you find something that you respond toand are excited to give hand stitching a try….and share it with others too. You are never to young or old to try. Snatch up the materials needed {the list is small too!} And sit down for some awesome stitching and something squeezable in the end.
Becky
Published in 2012 by Patchwork Posse- Becky Jorgensen All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. Patchwork Posse 3
Materials List Gathering up materials for your quick stitch is super simple. Here are some handy helpful hints when shopping~
FELT: Wool or acrylic felt is best for the bodies of the animals. They will wear just fine and won’t unravel. Wool felt is usually a blend with wool and rayon or 100% wool. When using all wool content you will need to wash and felt it for better results. Acrylic felt is found in 12” X 12” squares in most craft stores. These will work just fine and because they are used for many other projects you will find them in a variety of colors. When choosing colors for your quick stitch, don’t restrict yourself! Sometimes the more the wilder the better they turn out. You can also let the kids who are sewing them choose– allowing them more interest and excitement in the project and outcome.
THREAD: Embroidery floss works just fine for these simple projects. 2 threads are used for each stitch. Use more threads to make the thread thicker. For more delicate stitches, you can use 1 thread. For the thread to be a noticeable accent- choose a color that contrasts with your felt color. If you’d like the thread to ‘disappear’ then choose a color that matches the felt color. Either way, you won’t be wrong.
BUTTONS: Use small 2 hole buttons- black or dark in color for the eyes. When stitching them on take a few stitches going from hole to hole and hiding a knot in between the button and the felt. Safety eyes would be fine to use also.
USE YOUR IMAGINATION: After you have sewn up your quick stitch, if you feel like you need more embellishments, add them! This is only a start for your imagination. Have some fun…. You can add lace, ric-rac, ruffles or whatever else you can think of. *Please Note* If the quick stitch will be handled by smaller than 3 years old – please embroider eyes. Smaller than 3 are plushie eaters and we don’t want them to eat an eye!
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Stitching basics There are two stitches used in every one of the Quick Stitch Patterns. The stitches are super simple and with a bit of practice you will become an expert in no time! Quick Thread info: Thread length – it is best to make the thread no longer than your arm so you don’t end up in a tangled mess. Use 2 strands of embroidery floss at a time for either stitch. You can choose to use matching colors, or contrasting colors- depending on what look you are after. Both are just fine. Go with what you love!
Running stitch
Whipstitch
Thread your needle and knot the double strands of thread on the end.
Thread your needle and knot the double strands of thread on the end.
Pull the needle and thread through the back of the felt using the knot to anchor the thread to the felt.
Pull the needle and thread through the back of the felt using the knot to anchor the thread to the felt.
Insert the tip of the needle back into the felt sandwich one-quarter inch after where you pulled the thread through. Don’t pull tight or felt will pucker.
Insert the tip of the needle to the backside of the felt sandwich one eighth inch after where you pulled the thread through.
Continue this “running” along the way.
Pull needle to front of felt. Repeat this stitch, back to front 1/8” away. Stitches will be on the outside edge of the two felt piece. Keep needle straight for straight stitch, or slant needle for a slanted stitch.
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Construction How-to’s Most of the Quick Stitch animals have a ‘gusset’ at the bottom. Sewing with a gusset can be tricky…but don’t give up. Gussets are added to make the animal three-dimensional. The gussets added to the Quick Stitch, allow the animal to stand on it’s own because it is flat. Use the following directions to help you better understand how to sew the gusset when stitching the Quick Stitch Animal.
Gusset
Sew the sides of the animal with whipstitch– Starting and stopping at X’s on pattern/templates. Open up bottom so there is equal felt on each side Place gusset on top Pin gusset in place Whipstitch all the way aroundmake sure you leave a little opening for stuffing the animal, then finish stitching closed *Note* Sometimes the gusset and the opened area don’t match, this happens. If the gusset is larger than the opening–Try your best to line up the opened bottom with the gusset. If it isn’t working, than you can trim the gusset to fit the shape. If the gusset is smaller than the opening– Add a few stitches on each side.
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Owl This was the first one finished in the series and has had the most response too. A little bit of fabric hiding under his wings…and flashing in front on his belly gives this owl his character. Mix and Match the colors/textures/fabric for a more eccentric owl. Or go all white for a winter barn owl.
MATERIALS
FINISHED SIZE: 5 1/2” X 3 1/2”
10” x 10” felt- body
TEMPLATES NEEDED: see page #25
2 buttons- eyes
STITCHES USED:
10” X 10” cotton- belly and wings
Whipstitch, Running Stitch
Scrap felt for beak and eyes
hedgehog Soft squishable quills are what this hedgehog sports these days. Besides snuggles he is ready to listen with his perky ears sticking out just a little bit. He loves to nuzzle his nose into small burrowsalways trying to find the best place to take a rest.
MATERIALS
FINISHED SIZE: 5 ½” X 3”
10” x 10” felt- body, ears
TEMPLATES NEEDED: see page #26
2 buttons- eyes
STITCHES USED:
10” X 10” cotton- quills
Whipstitch, Running Stitch
Scrap felt for nose
Snail momma & baby This pair of momma and baby love to go on adventures together. The momma wears a ‘rain coat’ on her shell to protect her from spring sprinkles. Baby snail follows along quietly watching everything around him in a slow pace.
MATERIALS
FINISHED SIZE: 4” X 4” & 3” X 3”
10” x 10” felt- body (1 for momma, 1 for baby)
TEMPLATES NEEDED: see page #27
2 buttons- eyes 10” X 10” felt- coat Scrap cotton for swirl on coat
STITCHES USED: Whipstitch, Running Stitch
bat Vlahahaha…..Don’t wait for Halloween to stitch up these flying friends. They fly everywhere, and fast too like they are on a race to get someplace. Their keen ears and outstretched wings take them wherever they are going. Showcase some fun, crazy and super fantastic patterns in their wings and ears.
MATERIALS
FINISHED SIZE: 5 1/2” X 10”
10” x 10” felt- body, wings, ears
TEMPLATES NEEDED: see page #28
2 buttons- eyes
STITCHES USED:
10” X 10” cotton- wing, ears
Whipstitch, Running Stitch
Scrap white felt- teeth
bunny Flippety-Floppity goes the rabbit through the garden collecting yummy carrots. She loves to smell the flowers too– and find more carrots. But her favorite thing is hopping. The carrots can be stored in the apron pocket, which is removable.
MATERIALS
FINISHED SIZE: 5 1/2” X 8 1/2”
10” x 10” felt- body
TEMPLATES NEEDED: see page #29
2 buttons- eyes
STITCHES USED:
10” X 10” cotton- apron & ears
Whipstitch, Running Stitch
Scrap pink felt- cheeks, green- leaves Ribbon- 10” X 1/4” 5” X 5” orange felt- carrot
Rocket, alien & astronaut 3, 2, 1 Blastoff! This trio is ready to explore the unknown world of space travel. The alien - with 3 eyes, and the astronaut- with helmet, encounter each other on new planets. The rocket stands by waiting for transportation.
MATERIALS
FINISHED SIZE: 7 1/2” X 3 1/2”
10” x 10” felt- rocket
TEMPLATES NEEDED: see page #30
Scrap yellow felt- windows
STITCHES USED:
5” X 5” green felt- alien
Whipstitch, Running Stitch
3 buttons- eyes 5” X 5” dark and light blue felt- astronaut
monster Designed after my son’s drawings this monster is a kind hearted little guy who loves to snuggle in bed to keep the real monsters away. You can tell him anything that is spooky– nothing scares him!
MATERIALS
FINISHED SIZE: 4” X 5”
10” x 10” felt- body
TEMPLATES NEEDED: see page #31
5” X 5” white felt- teeth, eyes
STITCHES USED:
2 buttons- eyes
Whipstitch, Running Stitch
5” X 5” black felt- mouth
butterfly Changing from caterpillar to butterfly is exciting with this little guy! With the removable wing coat the transformation is quick. Wiggle around on the ground or fly high into the trees…. It’s up to you.
MATERIALS
FINISHED SIZE: 5” X 3”
10” x 10” felt- body
TEMPLATES NEEDED: see page #32
5” X 5” blue felt- wings
STITCHES USED:
2 buttons- eyes
Whipstitch, Running Stitch
5” X 5” cotton- wings Strips of felt- stripes Ribbon- tie closure
squirrel This squirrel is all set to go hunting in the forest. The pocket is a perfect place to store the acorn that he finds. His floppy tail and ears wiggle with delight when exploring the forest floor, or jumping from tree to tree.
MATERIALS
FINISHED SIZE: 5” X 7”
10” x 10” felt- body
TEMPLATES NEEDED: see page #33
5” X 5” cotton- ears, pocket, tail
STITCHES USED:
2 buttons- eyes
Whipstitch, Running Stitch
Scraps brown/black felt- acorn
Thank You! This has been a preview of the Quick Stitch Book If you’d like to purchase the book please go to: www.patchworkposse.com
www.patchworkposse.com/blog For more Stuffed Animal, Doll & Quilt Patterns.