Plush Noah's Ark Toy Set from a Fabric Panel

Between homeschooling my 3 big kids, chasing after an almost 2yr old, a baby about to arrive + running my fabric shop, the past couple months were really short on crafting time.  I still wanted to do some handmade gifts at Christmas, so I used this Noah's Ark Soft Toy Set fabric panel, which I carry in my shop, to make a fun play set for my small guy.  

I loved how it came with a Noah figure & a nice assortment of animals & the directions are printed right on the panel so you just cut, sew and stuff.  Sew easy!



  It's also nice that the finished ark has pockets on both sides for a place to store all the figures and make play more fun.  



It seemed like the perfect handmade Christmas gift for my not quite two year old - especially as I didn't have the energy to do anything time consuming or complicated. 



 Despite sewing for 10+yrs, this was the first time I'd ever sewn a plush toy from a panel.  I wanted to see just how easy it would be to put together.

Cutting out all the pieces is straightforward.  I didn't prewash it since I didn't want things to shrink.  It can be hand or delicate machine washed when done.  The seam allowance is included in the pieces.  The next step is hemming the ark pocket pieces by folding, pressing and then stitching the top edges to the wrong side:

These get basted to the ark side pieces along the sides & bottom.  There are markings to make matching them up easy:

Then the top edges of the ark sides are pinned & stitched together, starting & stopping where the pocket edges are:

The bottom gusset piece gets added there to give the dimension for the ark:

There are markings at the bottom to show where to leave a gap for turning:

All the seam allowances should get trimmed down and clipped near the curves.  I find using pinking shears makes this easy to do in one step:

After turning right side out, it's time to stuff with polyfill.  It's key to stuff with small amounts at a time and really pushing into the curves and corners to give it a good shape.  

The figures are easy to do - stitching right along their printed designs gives a nice smooth finish when turned right side out & are stuffed just like the ark:

The gaps get pinned & slip stitched closed by hand:

It was pretty quick to make and it turned out just as expected.  It's easy enough for a beginner, which is a real plus.  I used some of my Multi Sky Cloud fabric & some blue velour to make a fun playscape back drop too:

Sew cute & easy to make too!

FREE Pattern: Plush Bunny Easter Basket

Easter is coming up fast, but I've got one more project tutorial that can be made in time.  This one is cuddly, practical and fun all at the same time...my Plush Bunny Basket!

This basket is the perfect place to put all those Easter goodies.  

It's nice and deep so it can hold a lot.

He's got a fun bunny face and standup ears: 

And hoppy little feet.

There's even a fluffy bunny tail at the back!

The basket holds its shape well thanks to a sturdy foam interior, yet is still nice and soft.

The minky fabric outer and lining makes it cuddly for the little ones. With an active just turned one year old in the house, there are toys and baby things EVERYWHERE, so the more places I can toss them into the better!

Materials:
- 1/2 yd minky/cuddle fabric outer
- 1/2 yd pinky/cuddle fabric lining 
- 1 yd foam
- Hand sewing needle
- My FREE PDF Ears & Paws Pattern
Optional: safety eyes, white & pink felt, large pom pom 

Printing the Pattern:  Click HERE to download my PDF ear pattern & paw and print at 100% (actual size) no scaling.  Cut out pattern pieces (since the paws are a layered piece, cut the outer fabric pieces first, then trim down to cut the foam pieces).

Using my ear & paw pattern pieces, cut out fabrics and foam according to the directions.  With right sides facing, stitch together the ear pairs and paw pairs with a 1/4 in seam allowance.  

Trim and turn right side out.  Insert the foam pieces inside.  

From the foam cut a 10 1/2 in diameter circle and a 9 in high by 34 in wide rectangle.

From both fabrics cut a 10 1/2 in diameter circle and 9 1/2 in high by 34 in wide rectangle.

Take the outer fabric rectangle and determine the center.  Pin the ears 3/4 of an inch from the center on either side and the paws 1 inch from the center as shown and baste to the main fabric.

If adding a face, now would be the time to set the safety eyes and stitch a triangle felt nose and whiskers on.  I decided to add mine after I'd made the basket so I had to hand stitch it all on.

Starting with the foam rectangle, bring the short sides together and stitch with a 1/2 inch seam allowance.  

Trim down the allowance and pin the circle to one of the circular ends.  Stitch together.

Turn right side out and set aside.  

Repeat this process with cuddle fabrics, except with the lining, when stitching the rectangle into a tube, leave a 4 inch gap and use a 3/8in seam allowance for everything (this will help the foam fit inside better).

With right sides facing and lining up the back seams, pin together the top raw edges of the lining and outer fabrics and stitch together with a 1/2in seam allowance.

Pull right side out through the opening in the lining.  

Fold up the foam basket form and insert into the lining gap.  Smoother the outer fabric around the foam and then the lining onto its inside.  Hand stitch the gap closed.  Hand stitch the pom pom tail onto the back.

Now this hoppy friend is ready for filling!

FREE Pattern Pet House Igloo + Polar Opposites Fabric Giveaway!

I'm excited to start the new year with a fun new project tutorial and a matching fabric giveaway to go with it! First up is today's new free download pattern project: a Fun Igloo Pet House!

With a little imagination, and a bit of fusible foam, these polar themed fabrics have been transformed into a fun and functional little igloo that makes an ideal house for cats & small dogs.

The foam & fleece lined sides give it the classic igloo-style curved shape.  



These adorable new Polar Opposites fabrics on each side are perfectly suited for an igloo (and make it extra fun!).  The soft blue and grey shades are a fun cool neutrals.  The tiny polka dots pair sweetly with the whimsical arctic & antarctic animals.  Adorable walruses, polar bears, penguins, and everyone's favorite, the narwhal!

We don't have any pets, but we do have a baby with lots of animal toys.  This igloo house seemed the perfect place to be able to easily stow his little plushes: 

As you can see, he's a big fan of it already:

The large opening makes it easy for little hands (or paws) to get in and out:

I created this free pattern & tutorial as my first 2019 project as a member of Team Timeless.  

Now that I'm sharing it here too, I'm adding a gift for my lovely readers....

I'm giving away a big bundle of this fabulous fabric collection to a lucky Sew Can Do reader!

But first, let's get to making a pet igloo!

Finished Size:

14" x 14" x 14"

Materials:

- 1/2 yd cuts of 8 fabrics.  Mine are the entire Polar Opposites Collection by Timeless Treasures

- 2 1/2 yds 20" wide single sided fusible foam* 

- 1 1/4 yd 44" wide fusible fleece*

- Yard stick, rotary cuter, iron, disappearing marker, pins, hand sewing needle

- My FREE Pet Igloo Pattern Download HERE

* Both can be found in the interfacing section

Download my free pattern pieces (set printer to actual size and check against the square inch on the page), then print, cut out and tape base halves together per the instructions.

Cutting Instructions:

Fabrics

Fold fabrics, selvages together, and cut around pattern pieces, adding an extra 1/4" all the way around for the seam allowance:

- Cut upper side igloo pieces from 4 fabrics (I used Kidz-C6812-Navy, Kidz-C6814-Blue, Dot-C1820-Dove, Dot-C1820-Silver)

- Cut lower side igloo pieces from 4 other fabric (I used Kidz-C6813-Ice, Kidz-C6815-Grey, Dot-C1820-Steel, Dot-C1820-Smoke)

There will be two pieces of each print cut (for both outside and lining).  

From remaining fabric:

- Cut a 14 1/2 "x14 1/2" square from 2 fabrics for the base pieces (this includes the seam allowance).  I used fabrics Dot-C1820-Steel and Dot-C1820-Smoke.

Stabilizers

Put paper pattern pieces together and tape along center to make a full side pattern.  Cut out the stabilizers, but do not add any seam allowances.

Fusible Fleece

- Cut (4) side igloo pieces

- Cut (1) 14"x14" igloo base

Fusible Foam

- Cut (4) side igloo pieces

- Cut (1) 14"x14" igloo base

Take one side piece each from the fleece and foam, fold in half widthwise and cut out the front opening space along the pattern's center cutline.  

These will be for stabilizing the front side with the opening.

Assembly:

With right sides facing, pin, then stitch together the bottom edge and top edge of the igloo upper and lower sides.

I did the following print pairings: 

Dot-C1820-Dove & Kidz-C6815-Grey

Kidz-C6814-Blue & Dot-C1820-Smoke

Dot-C1820-Silver & Kidz-C6813-Ice

Kidz-C6812-Navy & Dot-C1820-Steel

There will now be 2 sets of 4 igloo sides.  Press seams flat.

Separate the pieces into two matching sets.  Fuse the fleece to the wrong side of one set according to the manufacturers instructions, fuse the foam to the other, leaving the 1/4" fabric seam allowance around all sides.

Take the front pieces and fold in half, right side inward.  

Cut out the opening area, using the stabilizer as your guide, leaving a 1/2" allowance.  

Start with two igloo outer sides.  With right sides facing, pin, then stitch together with a 1/4" seam allowance.  Start where the stabilizer begins at the bottom and stop stitching where the stabilizer ends at the point of the igloo.  

Add other sides to complete the outer.  Do not cross over previous side stitches at this end. This will keep the seams laying flat when turned.  Repeat this pattern of stitching for the lining.  

Trim raw edges to reduce bulk and clip around curves, to make it easier to turn later.  To attach the base, start by matching up one side of the square base to one of the bottom sides of the igloo and pin. 

Start and stop stitching 1/4" from each end to make it easier to pivot and repeat for the remaining three sides.  

Turn foam backed igloo right side out and insert the fleece backed igloo into it so the wrong sides are facing.  

Carefully clip 1/4" into into the three corners of the fabric of the opening triangle. Fold fabric edges inward and pin all the way around.  Slipstitch the folded edges together by hand. 

Now there's a cute little igloo ready for a furry occupant to call it home:

or a fun place for baby to play:

Now onto the giveaway!!  One winner will receive this 8 piece bundle of six 1/2yds & 2 smaller cuts of the Polar Opposites collection:

So much cute fabric!!!  Wouldn't it be great if it were yours?  

a Rafflecopter giveaway