Swanning about . . .

I had a rethink about creating a herd of elephants...... OK my family think ones enough!!

But I do think our house has room for a slim animal/bird. . . . . 

Well I just so happen to have some white fabric and a little bit of orange.

So the sketching begins, first I draw out the shape/pattern, then using my basic printer/scanner/copier, I increase the size of the pattern until I'm happy with the size. Then finally add a seam allowance.

On Saturday I put my semi finished swan to one side so I could visit the Harrogate Knitting and Stitching Show. I didn't buy much but I did get some super sparkly fabric.

What could I make with sparkly fabric? Well a crown for a swan, what else!!!

It was easy to cut but tricky to sew, especially difficult to attach to the swans head!! 

But she/hes all done now, what do you think?

I'm really happy with it but I do wonder what it would be like in crushed velvet . . . 

Whilst making a swan it did cross my mind that a swan and a flamingo are quite similar.

Ooh, if only I had some pink fabric

Whats bigger than a chicken and grey?

Following on from my last post, here's my little flock of chickens.

(If you're part of my family and I ask you what you'd like for Christmas, please think carefully. 

If you say 'ooh I'm not sure', don't be overly surprised if you get a chicken head!!)

I really loved making the Chickens but I fancied trying something bigger.

Having spent a few minutes on Pinterest (probably hours if I'm honest) I visited a 'new to me' fabric shop with an open mind. Often finding the right fabric for your project is half the battle.

So I came home with grey, thinking horse, unicorn, elephant, hippo, rhino.....

Normally I'd have a go with some calico fabric for my test run, but the grey fabric was a similar price to cheap calico or cotton.

I had to do lots of trimming, unpicking, re-cutting pattern pieces, more unpicking, etc

Then a quick measure of the back of her/his head for the back board.

I've got a lot faster at cutting the wood, I think its because its FREEZING in the garage!!

A quick tidy up before the stuffing begins.

I'll tell you now, I thought I loved a Chicken head but I'm now in love with my Elephant, isn't she lovely!!

I think she needs one of those little blanket/hat/whatever, on her head with the tassels, you know, what are they called?

 (or maybe she needs a friend . . . . .)

Playing Chicken

Over the last week or so, the sewing machine has been switched off, but my mind has been focused on animal heads!!

After lots of sketching, lots of surfing the net (research) lots of rummaging in my fabric cupboard, I finally got around to cutting out and sewing.

Unfortunately, although I'd finished my chicken  I had no stuffing (not even sage and onion)

Then the debate - Do you need to iron your chicken before you stuff it?

And how do you iron a chicken?

So finally I have a chicken!

And I'll admit it, I've cut out three more......