Nothing is cosier of an evening than cuddling an owl. Don’t believe me? Read on to find out for yourself how easy it is to make your own heatable and huggable softie, which also make great Christmas presents…
How to Make a Heatable Owl Softie
Skill Level : Intermediate
Time to Make : Three to three and a half hours
You Will Need
- Scissors
- Lavender flowers
- Fat quarters
- Toy stuffing
- Pins
- Chalk (or something to mark the fabric)
- Owl sewing pattern
- Scraps of fabric or buttons (for the face)
- Coffee! (optional)
Download the Pattern
How to Make:
1. Start by picking out some fun fabric and then iron it.
2. Download and print out the very special owl pattern.
Top Tip!...
3. Fold one of the fat quarters in half, place the pattern on the fold and pin.
4. Cut around the pattern and then repeat with another fat quarter to make the front and back pieces.
5. Cut out the wing piece from the body pattern, pin on to the fabric and cut out two pieces. Turn the pattern over and cut out another piece to make three.
6. Pin the reversed wing to one of the other two, right sides together and sew around the edge. Leave a small gap of about an inch so that you can fill it with stuffing.
7. Once you have sewn the wing, turn it right side out. Take a handful of stuffing and fill the wing so that it is firm but not rigid, otherwise our owl won’t be able to fly.
8. Next take the left over wing and match the edges of the owls side to the curve. Once you are happy with the alignment, sew along the one edge with a narrow seam allowance (approximately a quarter of an inch).
Top Tip!...
9. Take the pieces you are using to make the face, I have chosen two large circles of white fabric and a triangle of yellow. Place the pieces on the right side of the owl front and decide how they should be arranged.
I have chosen to sew the face pieces on with my sewing machine, if you have too then read on. If not, you can use a glue gun or sew buttons – be creative!
10. Once you are happy with your chum’s visage, sew the eyes to the right side of the front using a medium length, wide zig-zag stitch.
11. After you have sewn both eyes, place the beak and do the same stitch to attach.
12. I have used black buttons for pupils and machine sewed them on with yellow thread.
13. Hopefully our new friend is starting to take shape! Pin the right sides of the front and back pieces together. Put the stuffed wing inside the owl, on the side opposite to the attached wing. Don’t forget to leave a gap in the bum for turning right side out.
Top Tip!. . .
14. Stitch all around the outside edge with a straight stitch, I have used a half inch seam allowance.
15. Once you’re done sewing, turn the owl right side out.
16. Isn’t it pretty? Shame it’s so flat.
Grab a handful of stuffing and (without looking into the eyes) proceed to stuff the owl.
Grab a handful of stuffing and (without looking into the eyes) proceed to stuff the owl.
Top Tip!...
That’s the nasty bit over with. Now you can sew the gap (bum) shut.
17. For the lavender pouch, I’ve used an off cut of the wing fabric. Take two pieces and cut out a shape or a rectangle if you’re not feeling too fancy after the last step.
18. I’ve chosen to trace a heart, cut out the pieces and pin with right sides together. Sew around the edge, leaving a gap for the lavender.
19. Turn the pouch right side out and fill with lavender.
Top Tip!...
20. When you have filled your pouch, sew the gap closed. I have used a zig-zag stitch around the outside edge for added interest.
21. Ta-da! You have a new friend complete with calming lavender! The evenings will fly by and they are guaranteed to be a hoot.
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