Emmy Elephant Soft Pillow

Well it has been quite sometime since I've been able to blog.  My dad has been in hospital for 5 weeks, but now that he is slowly getting better, I thought I'd make a few things for Emersyn.

First I want to leave instructions for this cute little elephant that I made.  I'm sure there are others very similar, but I'm one of those quick and easy people.

To begin with I drew a rough, really rough draft.  As you can see I'm not an artist, so don't judge. haha,  I thought about making it an ITH design, but felt like that would limit some who do not have an embroidery machine.

Next, I decided to make the ear outline.  Now you can make any kind of ear with this design.  But I tried to make it look like the elephant ear. You can try to print this photo to a full page.  Unfortunately your printer will probably print the brown too. 

Here are the supplies you need and also measurements that I used to make this small pillow
Supplies:
chenille fabric for body, flannel or a soft fabric for ears, loose batting, 5/8" wide grosgrain ribbon, 7/8" wide satin ribbon, 1.5" wide grosgrain ribbon, 2 buttons, thread, needle, sewing machine.

Measurements:
cut 2 chenille pieces for body 7X7.5",
cut flannel 4x7" for ear (ear measurement was 3.5" wide x 6.5" long.
cut (2) 1.5" wide ribbon 14" long for legs, cut (1) 7/8" wide satin ribbon 20"  for tail, and 5/8" wide ribbon 12" for trunk.
2 black buttons for eyes
loose batting (stuffing)

Cut your body fabric to the specified size above. With your ribbons, cut 2 ribbons for the legs, 1 ribbon for trunk and 1 ribbon for tail.   Fold each ribbon in 1/2 and tie a simple knot close to the folded side. Next you are going to take the legs and lay the ribbon so the edges are matching with straight edge of fabric and knot is toward the center of your body. You will do this for all ribbon. (remember the tail will be on the other fabric).

 

As you will notice, in the trunk, you will first stitch the ribbon up so the knot is off the fabric, then you will bring it down and top stitch it down. Like sample of tail. (hope this is plain enough to see.)

Next you will cut 4 ears out.  The easiest way is to double on fold where the straight line is, cut and sew right sides together, (or pretty to pretty face each other),  turn the ears right side out and press.  Now you are ready to lay the ears straight edge against the fabric similar to the legs and stitch them down on both sides.

Now you are ready to put the elephant together. Tuck the appendages toward the center of the elephant body so you have nothing to be caught while you are sewing around you body.  I started at the top and stitched all the way around the body.  Leaving an opening about 3" to turn the elephant right side out. Now you can stitch your buttons on before you stuff, or stuff your elephant, close your seam and put your buttons on. Add a ribbon, or lace on your elephant, or you could add a little bow tie for the boy.   I hope you will give this cute thing a try!

Thanks and happy stitches!