Jack Rabbit Softie Pattern

© Carlee Dynes, 2011 the-polka-dot-umbrella.blogspot.com

Jack Rabbit Softie Pattern

You will need:

½ Yard main fabric (quilting weight or home décor are both fine) 1/4 Yard contrasting fabric 1/8 Yard white felt (wool is so much nicer) Coordinating Thread Red Embroidering Floss 2 Buttons Stuffing

Directions

1. Cut Everything Out Cut out all the pattern pieces. From your main fabric, cut out the ears (2), leg (4), arms (2), bottom (1), and body (2) pieces. With the contrasting fabric, cut out the ears (2), foot (2), and tummy (1) pieces. From the white felt, cut the face (1), paws (2), and tail (1) pieces.

2. Make the Legs Start by pinning the leg pieces with right sides together. Sew along both sides (1/2” seam allowance), leaving both the top and bottom edges open. Be sure to start and stop each seam by backstitching. Open up the leg piece, and carefully pin the foot piece to the bottom opening. I like to use lots of pins when I’m sewing around a circle, so make sure that I don’t end up with puckers in the finished product. Carefully sew using a 3/8” seam. On my machine, a Viking, this works out to be the edge of my regular presser foot. Turn right-side-out and stuff.

3. Make the Arms Pin the paw pieces to two of the arm pieces. Make sure that you will have both a right and left hand! I used a satin stitch on my machine to sew on the paws, but since felt does not fray, you could also use a straight stitch. If your machine does not have a satin stitch setting, choose a zig-zag stitch and decrease your stitch length. Pin the arm pieces together, with right sides facing each other. Again, double check that you have one right hand and one left hand! Sew around the edge of the arm piece (3/8” seam allowance), leaving the straight top edge open. Turn right-side-out and stuff.

© Carlee Dynes, 2011 the-polka-dot-umbrella.blogspot.com

The fine print: Please be considerate, and don’t sell toys made from this pattern

4. Make the Ears Pin the ears together, matching one main fabric piece with one piece cut out of the contrasting fabric. Sew around the outside, leaving the straight edge open. Turn right-side-out, and iron.

5. Make the Front of the Rabbit On one of the body pieces, arrange the face and tummy pieces. Pin in position and sew on using a satin stitch. If you wish, you can use a straight stitch on the felt face, since the edges will not fray. Using the pictures as a template, embroider nose/mouth and sew on button eyes. Take both the ears, and put them in front of you with the contrasting fabric facing up. Fold the inside edges into the middle, and use a pin to hold it in place. Turn the ears upside down, so that the main fabric is facing up, and line the straight edge up with the top of the rabbit’s head. Pin the ears in place, and when you are happy with their position, sew in place using a ¼” seam allowance. I like the ears to be about 1 ½” apart (3/4” from either side of the midline). At the bottom, pin the legs in place. I set mine a little under 2 ¼” apart, centered on the mid-line. Sew in place using a ¼” seam allowance. Pin the arms to the body, with the paws facing down. I like arms just below the neck (narrowest part of the body pattern) and pointing up. Down is fine too, but facing up makes them perfect for hugs and playing peek-a-boo!

6. Make the Back of the Rabbit On the second body piece, position the tail, and sew in place using a satin stitch. Next, pin the bottom pattern piece to the base of the body. This part is really optional. Using the bottom piece will give your finished rabbit a nicer shape and make it easier for him to be posed sitting down, but you could also omit this step.

7. Sew it All Together Pin the front and back body pieces together, making sure to tuck the ears, arms, and legs, far away from the seams. You don’t want to accidentally sew them into the side seam. Using a 3/8” seam allowance, sew all the way around the rabbit leaving a 2 ½” gap to turn right-side-out and to stuff. I recommend double stitching your seams, especially around the arms, legs, and ears, to make it more durable. Turn right-side-out and stuff. Sew your opening closed.

8. You’re Done! Sit back and admire your work. Great job. Now find your rabbit a good home!

© Carlee Dynes, 2011 the-polka-dot-umbrella.blogspot.com

The fine print: Please be considerate, and don’t sell toys made from this pattern