Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Owl Softie free Pattern/Tutorial

As you may have heard the City of Christchurch in New Zealand has been devestated by an earthquake which caused such sadness and loss of life. So when I found the blog post from 'Kiwi at Heart' collecting Softies for the kids of Christchurch I just had to be involved.

I have been wanting to make an Owl Tutorial for ages so this seemed like the perfect reason to get in and do one, my hope is that you might make one or two for the kids.

So here we go, this is my Owl, I've tried desperately to come up with a cute name, but alas I can't think of one... any ideas?
Anyway if you'd like to make one you will need:

Fat Quarter of Main body fabric (you will probably get at least 2 owls from a Fat Quarter)
scraps of fabric for the wings and eyes
Wool felt for his beak.
Vliesofix
Stuffing
General Sewing Supplies.
Pattern pieces Download the PDF here

Directions:
Trace the Owls wings, Eyes, Pupils and beak onto the Vliesofix and iron onto your chosen fabrics.

Trace the Owls Body onto folded fabric and cut out on the traced line so you have 2 pieces. This is what you will have, plus an extra back piece.
Overlapping the eyes slightly, iron all the pieces onto the front of your owl. The wings should line up with the outside edge of the green fabric, but the eyes should be in at least 3/8" so they don't get caught in the seam.

 Take this to your machine (or you could do this by hand) blanket stitch around all the raw edges of the appliques.

Once you have finished your applique you can either just place the back piece on top of your finished front and stitch around the whole thing leaving a gap for turning through between the wings at the bottom, or you can add the centre gussett, I'll explain this at the end of the tut. Reduce your stitch length to 1.0 and make sure you use polyester thread. Cotton will just break as soon as you stuff your owl.
You need to snip into all the sharp points so the owl will turn through nicely, take the top off the ears like in the picture, this will give you nice sharp points. Make sure to get close, but not too close when snipping, you don't want to cut through your stitching.

This is an owl without the centre gusset using minky on the back.

 If you want to add a gussett to make your Owl like the Blue one at the top of this Tutorial, cut out the 2" x 22" strip and carefully stitch it all the way around your softie being careful not to pull it too tight. Start at the bottom of your owl and leave at least 1" tail. You can pin it all the way first if you like, but its not necessary on the first side. When you get close to the where you started stop and stitch your tails together, like you would join the tails of binding on a quilt. Finish stitching the seam.
Repeat this step and join the back of your owl, but this time pin the piece into place. Leave a 2" hole for stuffing and stuff and ladder stitch the opening closed.

I hope you understand all this and I will try and get pictures of the gusset making stage, but unfortunately my camera battery died and I wanted to get this up as quickly as possible,

Hugs Paula

59 comments:

  1. Paula, what a wonderful person you are. Yes it is terrible what has happened in Christchurch. I have downloaded your pattern and hope to get in and make a start after teaching school.
    Hugs
    Narelle

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  2. What a lovely design, he's a hoot! I'm making some softies for Christchurch and I will definately make 'Hoot' to send to them too. Thankyou!

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  3. He's lovely, well done you. I have made my softies already to send, but if I get another chance I will whip up one of your little guys to send with them

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  4. Thank you for sharing this great tutorial, you're a sweetheart. Blessings

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  5. Thanks so much for this your blog is a great place! Stop by if you can :-)

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  6. Dear Paula,

    This is so very kind of you! I have copied the owl pattern and tutorial, and will make so to give away and some scaled down with a wee pocket on the back (for a tiny gift) for the Christmas tree, later in the year. I think that your designs are a true delight and am now going to look for a place where I can purchase the pattern for the mug bag - it would make a really nice present. Thankyou again Beth. I do not know what a profile is so will pick anonymous!

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  7. For Owl names how about "ollie" & Olivia

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  8. Thanks!
    So lovely!
    I`ll make it for som kids I know!
    Maja

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  9. The owl looks so cute! I love it! What a lovely creation.

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  10. Thanks for the inspiration. I have just finished an applique owl for Chch, but using my own design... yours is cuter though!

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  11. What a fabulous Owl...adorable Paula...how bout Oscar
    Hugs Dawn x x

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  12. Thanks for the wonderfull owl - I love the owls.
    Greetings from Kirsten from Denmark

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  13. Very cute! Thank you for sharing this little owl with us. :)

    Barb

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  14. Oh thanks for sharing this! The owl is so lovely!
    Greetings from Bavaria,
    Eva

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  15. So cute, thanks for pattern. I love owls

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  16. Thank you very much for it!Cute owl!

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  17. Thanks for the cute owl pattern and tute. He's a keeper!

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  18. Thanks for the wonderfull owl!
    Kind regards,

    Beertje Zonn from the Netherlands

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  19. This owl is so cute!!
    May I suggest "Archie", short for Archimedes.
    Bit of a call back to Disney's "Sword in the Stone".

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  20. Hi, me and my 9 year old daughter made some owls using your printed pattern. I have posted photographs of them on my blog with a link to your page letting my readers know where I got the pattern from. Thank you. Karima from www.karimascrafts.com
    I also posted some fun photos of the owls adventures outside on my other blog www.karimasblogs.blogspot.com

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  21. Hi Paula,
    My name is Maxine and I just happened to stumble across your site. After reading your post and some of the comments, I am feeling all choked up. I am living in Christchurch with my 5 year old and 4 month old daughters. I just want to say a big 'Thank you!!' to yourself and all of the other lovely people who are making these cute softies for the children of Christchurch. It's so hard for us as parents to see our kids struggling to deal with what has happened. These little acts of kindness from people like yourselves are bringing some sunshine back into their lives one ray at a time, and you are helping us to heal our kids.
    Once again, and on behalf of all of Christchurch, THANK YOU!

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  22. Hi Paula, I made one of your owls and my kids LOVE it! Since it is the first stuffed animal I've made it's not perfect but pretty darn cute. I'd share it with you but don't know how to link it to this comment. But I did post it on my blog, tulipsandturnips.blogspot.com, so you could check it out there if you feel like it. I am new to the blog world and don't know how to link yet but I mentioned your blog and your pattern when I made the post about the owl. I think you're great for suggesting that people make these and donate them! Thank you!!

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  23. I like your blog! I would like to try one of these! Best regards Siri:-)

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  24. Hi Paula, I purchased the 'SIt Me Up Donut" pattern from you over Easter. Thank you for giving me a quick tutorial in the shop, made it so much easier to make. Such a great design! My little girl and baby boy love it!
    Thanks again!
    Ashleigh

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  25. trop belle la chouette je suis une fan longue vie a votre site bonne continuation merci patricia

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  26. Hi,
    Just downloaded your owl pattern and printed it off. Is the owl you have in the photo the size of the pattern of is it enlarged? It is so cute.
    Thanks,
    Susan

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  27. love ur tutorial!! terima kasih.

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  28. I will be using this for my sister who is about to adopt a baby boy...she is planning to decorate with night time animals...she will love them. Thanks for the tutorial.

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  29. I love this and plan on makingthis for my ganddaughter. So cute.

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  30. Thank you for sharing this great tutorial!!!

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  31. Wanted to say thank you for making and sharing this pattern & tutorial. I made a gusseted owl for a best friend's baby. I really enjoyed making it and my friend adores it!

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  32. Ok, I don't understand the gusset? What is the 2" x 22" piece? Fabric? Goes on the inside? Thank you!

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  33. Hoot! :) Thanks for the great tutorial!

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  34. this looks lovely - could you explain/show how the gusset is done? I have no idea what a gusset is.

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  35. Hi! Im such a huge owl lover! This one is gorgous!

    I am taking part in and I've nominated you for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award and the Versatile Blogger Award. I really enjoy reading your blog and it's a great way of sharing some "blog love". Get more info and the rules at http://houseofnicnax.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/blogger-awards.html

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  36. Hi, I have just tried to make it with the gusset and the dimensions seem to be wrong. 2 x 22 is much too small, unless I am doing something wrong. Did you make the blue one with the gusset out of the pattern you provided, because the ears seem a little difficult to sew around? Sorry so many questions, I am a beginner and I just need a little more instruction and help with that part, if you have the time. Cheers, Alicia

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  37. Thanks for the pattern, loved it, tried it....shared at my blog spot http://chinnuscrafts.blogspot.in/2014/02/an-owls-story.html
    My little one loves it!

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  38. So cute. I absolutely love this idea. Thank you so much for sharing. haberdashery

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