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Squirrel Friends

Happy first day of Fall!  Here’s a little autumn no-sew appliqué project.  I put these appliqués on tees, but I think they would be cute on a kitchen towel, tote bag, at the hem of a skirt, or wherever you choose.  I think it’s best to have some contrast with your fabric — dark appliqué on light fabric, light appliqué on dark fabric.  As you can see, the orange fabric above doesn’t really show up all that well because of the white in the fabric design.  It would also be cute to sew some buttons for eyes, maybe even embroider a little face.

I have never used this Wonder Under product for appliqué because I didn’t trust that it would stay on through wear and tear without sewn reinforcement.  But I’ve washed and dried these tees and they just frayed a teeny bit around the edges, so I am satisfied. If you’re as confused by the vast array of interfacing at the fabric store as I am, just ask for “Wonder Under” and check to make sure that’s what you’ve got.  It comes on a bolt or in small packages.  The Wonder Under instructions say this works on wood too.  I’m skeptical — anyone tried that?

Supplies:

  • Double-sided fusible webbing (Wonder Under or other brand)
  • Fabric scraps (about 6″x6″ for each squirrel)
  • Tee
  • Fabric marker
  • Iron
  • Small, sharp scissors
  • Damp cloth

Print out the template you wish to use and cut out the image(s).  The single squirrel is about 5 1/2″ wide and the squirrels in the other design are each 4 1/2″ wide:

squirrel-single

squirrels-sharing

  1. Cut a piece of fabric just larger than the appliqué design.  Iron rough side of fusible webbing to wrong side of fabric, according to fusible webbing instructions.  Be sure not to let the webbing overlap while you are ironing or you will get goop on your iron and/or your ironing board.
  2. Place template on the back of your fabric and trace image with a fabric marker.
  3. Cut away excess fabric and then cut carefully around your image with small, sharp scissors.
  4. Carefully peel away backing and place design on tee.
  5. Iron in place according to package directions with damp cloth on top.

All done!  If you make this project, please show us by posting your photos in the Make it Monday Flickr pool.

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Handmade Halloween

I created a new page of Halloween projects to make along with some handmade Halloween items to buy if you’re not feeling all that crafty. You can find it here or click on the link in the sidebar. I’ll be updating it regularly and welcome suggestions.

I’ve been having fun trying out my new Adobe Illustrator software. The drawing above was done by my five-year-old and re-created in Illustrator. My daughter made a series of little owl drawings as she was my collaborator for the scrappy owl bags featured earlier this week. Cute little owl, isn’t it?

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Etsy Finds Friday

Vintage Scandinavian Lion Pull Toy, $12.95 from The Holiday Garden.

Dutch Vintage Wooden Shoes, $23 from Le Petit Poulailler.

No Monsters Allowed by Order of the Management print, 6″ x 10″, $20 from John W. Golden.

Shabby gocco collage tags, set of three for $6.50 from mothball charlie.

De Wolfe Bowl, $125 from Jill Rosenwald.

Honeybee the Bear, $28 from KissPrudence.

Block Print Squirrel Stuffie, $14 from artgoodies.

Carried by Birds. Mixed media, 9 ½” x 12″ x 2 ½”, $350 from roadside projects. Prints also available.

Letterpress Halloween Card, $2.50 from Fourteen Sisters.

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Scrappy Owl Treat Bag

Although owls have become the cliché of the craft world, they are still my friends. I cannot stand the plastic pumpkins, so I made these trick or treat bags for the girls. They are roomy enough for a good bit of candy, but not too much! The bag is lined, has two handles, and is made of wool felt, canvas and scraps.

Instructions are posted over at Flickr. As always with any of my original sewing patterns, this is for personal use only. If you make one of these, please post a photo in the Make it Monday Flickr pool so we can see it!