Elephants bring good luck if the trunk is turned up
You'll need:
- This pattern for the elephant
- This pattern for the bow
- Gray felt
- Pink felt
- Decorative scrap fabric
- Needle, embroidery thread and scissors
- Straight pins
- Plastic can gripper (that's my secret weapon!)
- Pebbles
- Stuffing
- Buttons for eyes optional ( But I think most people like eyes on their toys or lucky mascots
First, you'll want to print this pattern (landscape-style at 250%) and piece it together. I always like to give credit where credit is due, but it was super hard to find out who originally created this pattern. One source said it was from an old Family Fun magazine, so we'll go with that.
Use the pattern to cut each of your pieces out of felt. For the ear pieces, I cut two pieces out of fabric a little larger than the pattern so that I could turn it under before stitching, and two pieces out of felt (for the backs of the ears).**
Now the fun part! Piece the gray felt pieces together and pin them in place. Start whip stitching the elephant together (I started at the back of the elephant's heel and went up towards the butt.) If you don't know what whip stitching is, check out this youtube video. (You're going to thank me for the awesome music!)
The picture below is how I pieced the tail in. You're looking at the inside of the elephant's butt.
Keep whip stitching around the rest of the elephant. When you get to the trunk be sure to put in some stuffing WHILE you stitch it closed. It will be super hard to get the stuffing in there if you don't do it this way.
**Be sure to follow my above instructions about the ear fabric. If you cut the fabric a little larger than the felt then you'll have space to turn the fabric under before you stitch it to the ear backs (made out of felt).
One more important note... TRUST THE PATTERN! While you're stitching, line up the pattern pieces you cut perfectly, don't start making adjustments to the pattern while you're stitching because you think it's not lining up correctly.
When you're all done stitching the elephant the underneath will have an open flap for stuffing. Put the stuffing in first (just a bit in the bottom of the feet too) then fill in the rest of the legs and the underneath belly with pebbles for weight.
If you're not planning on using your elephant for a door stop or a book end, just omit the pebbles and use only stuffing.
Ms. Jeannie ,
ReplyDeleteSorry I haven't commented in awhile . I haven't forgotten you , I check Maxy each day to see what he's up too .
Mr.G. and Mr Carano says I am doing a good job and should ask Ms. Carano for a raise.
We are still making the sock puppies they are one of our best sellers , the small ones I send to the shops .I like the pattern here so I will try it as soon as Ms. Carano cut some different sizes out.
The elephant , I think will be a great seller at all 3 places . The Jeannie dresses is a hot seller now since it's warm weather.
We are glad Ms.Burns is back (Mr.Carano's secretary) so Ms. Carano could get some rest, she gave one lady heck for starting trouble with Ms.Hudson (lady who was filling in for Ms. Burns).
Ms. Carano told us your mother had surgery and you and your husband have been ill , hope everyone is doing better and enjoying good weather
Thank you for the patterns .
Della
Hello Della,
ReplyDeleteI hear you are doing a wonderful job and I think you should ask for a raise too.
I thought the elephant looked simple but cute and could be fancied up any way you like. And the sock puppies looked a bit different from the old ones but fairly simple to make.
It is harder to find free patterns that are any good now and I don't come across them very often any more...but I am always on the look-out.
Ms Carano is very happy Anita is back at work. And I heard about the problem at the office. There always seems to be a trouble-maker no matter where you work. Ms C. straightened her out pretty quick.
Thankyou for your kind wishes and continued success to you and your work.
Jeannie