I started by adding Stiffy, yes that is what it is called, to cut-out fabric circles. These are my basic faces, the style I like to use, but I stiffen the fabric to make it easier to work with. It makes embroidery easier, although it makes turning out the completed doll structure difficult.
I chose a selection of matching fabrics, all with peach and orange, touches of blue and brown as well. I really like to make dolls that aren't too obviously intended for girls or boys, at least when it comes to Stuffies. I want the owner to be able to decide on their own name and gender of the doll, and I want them to appeal to all children, since they are meant for gentle play.
I cut out my fabrics, I have alternating prints on the arms, legs, and ears, so that they are one print facing front, and an alternate on the back. It means watching carefully so that when I switch the pattern pieces to make the matching arms and legs, that I cut them the right way. I used my new sewing machine to sew this project, my first time using the machine almost exclusively, it was really challenging to work on the small curves, I need to learn what plate to use under the fabric, I think the fabric would be easier to manipulate on the darning plate as opposed to one with feet that grab it. It does save time though, which is wonderful.
After hand drawing the face onto the bunny [for some reason I omitted the classic buck-teeth, oh well] I used embroidery thread to stitch it into place. With curved faces, I always opt for a plain stitch, since it looks neater. My recent acquisition of pinking shears [yay!], means that I can really make the edges of the circle faces look sweet.
I hand embroidered the face in place fully, and choose two beautiful mismatched light blue buttons to give it a lot of character.I think this face is absolutely adorable, one of the best I have done yet. I then made my Bunny Boo's tail, this was a technique I have been dying to try. I made a fabric Yo-yo out of a peachy fabric, then added a tiny bit of PolyFil stuffing to the cavity inside to make a bit of a puffy tail. I think it turned out nicely for my first Yo-yo.
I stuffed all my limbs and ears next, then I then got ready to sew all the elements in place. I started by re-tracing my template in disappearing fabric pen on the wrong side of my body pieces. I sewed the tail in place on the back, the put right side together and pinned in all my limbs and the ears. I ran the whole thing through the sewing machine, trying to ensure that all the parts were well sewn into the body. I was mostly successful, although one ear wasn't fully secured so it required some hand-finishing.
I like the bent Bunny Boo ear, it gives it a little more Wonky character, which is my thing, and it looks funny. I left enough room on the right side of the doll, from under the ear to above the arm to turn the whole doll out. All those stuffed pieces and the firm face fabric make for a difficult turn out. I was mostly pleased with how the doll looked pre-stuffing.
In these pictures, you can see how the alternating prints went down on the arms and legs, and you can also see the puffy tail that I secured into place by hand. I think the patterns work nicely together.
The final steps are of course stuffing up the body cavity. It took a lot of PolyFil to fill this fellow, it is a much bigger body then I have done before. I need to be conscious of this fact when designing patterns, because I really need to make sure I have enough supplies on hand to complete the projects I start.
My completed "Peachie" Bunny Boo, sitting atop my current storage system, several reusable shopping totes and random cardboard boxes. At some point I will have to organize my crafting space to better store my materials, not only because I want it to look neater, but I want to be able to find what I need when I need it. Hopefully my niece, my brother's daughter, will like her bunny, as she is the intended owner of this sweet Stuffie. Onward and upward.
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