Today I am showing you how to make the cute owl softie that we did for Quilt Market for Deena’s “Scenic Route” line. We were sewing like crazy, and this little guy got made in the wee hours the night before we had to deliver everything to get it shipped off to Market. The beauty is that it is so simple, it came together in less than an hour.
My girls have wanted one of these owls for their room every since I made the one for Market (the stuff I make for Market has a strict FLO (family lay off!) policy at our house). So this time I wanted to add more detail and coordinate it with their room. I played with some paper patterns to see what I liked (see below). I was going to give the owl glasses, since my daughter wears glasses too, but in the end, I liked it better without them. Have fun and get creative with your decorative elements!
If sewing is not your thing, most of these elements could be hot glued to the fabric…just know that you cannot machine wash it, but you could hand wash it, if it gets too much love!
This is an easy project that a beginner or young crafter could do. OK, here’s what you need:
Materials:
- 2 fat qtrs. for owl body, or 1/2 yard
- 1 fat qtr. or 1/8 yard for owl feet and beak
- Miscellaneous fabric scraps (felt is a perfect choice if you use hot glue instead of appliqued fabric)
- Trim if desired, 1/2 – 1 yard
- 2 buttons for owl eyes
- Polyester fiberfill
- Coordinating thread
- Heat n Bond or glue stick for appliques
Step 1: Enlarge pdf pattern to desired size, mine has been enlarged by 60% (you will need to copy in 2 pieces and then tape together, because the finished size is larger than 11×17).
Step 2: From your desired fabric cut 2 for owl body and cut 4 for owl feet.
Step 3: Prepare owl front with all embellishments. Here is your chance to get creative!
I began by making paper patterns and experimenting with fabrics.
*To make original owl, simply sew on 2 rows of jumbo ric rac along bottom edge, and applique beak in place.
Step 4: Sew all pieces to owl front. Start with the bottom layer and work your way to the top (face first, then eyes and beak, etc.)
If you did not use heat n bond for the applique, attach pieces using a washable glue stick (I did this with the chenille that was used for the belly).
Have fun with decorative stitches – I used a zig zag as well as straight stitches in contrasting and coordinating thread.
Step 5: Place the 2 owl bodies with right sides together and stitch with a 1/4″ seam, leaving an opening at the bottom large enough to stuff with fiberfill.
Step 6: Turn owl right side out and stuff with fiberfill, being sure to get enough stuffing into the ears.
Step 7: Stitch the opening closed by hand or with your machine.
Step 8: Place 2 owl feet with right sides together and stitch with a 1/4″ seam, leaving an opening large enough at the bottom to stuff with fiberfill. Repeat with remaining 2 owl feet.
Step 9: Turn owl feet right side out and stuff with fiberfill. Stitch the openings closed by hand or with your machine.
Step 10: Sew feet to the bottom of owl by hand or with your machine (the stuffing may make it difficult to put under your presser foot).
*To make original owl, hand sew button eyes, going thru to the back to create a “tufted” look. Tip: use a long needle to get thru the stuffing easily, and pull tightly to increase the tufted look.
DONE!
