Episode 111: Sassy Softies

Sassy Softies by Casey Buchanan

Casey Buchanan recycles a thrift-store sweater into a cute felted wool softie.

Supplies

• Felted sweater
• Felt scraps
• Fiberfill
• All-purpose thread
• Needles: 100/16 machine, hand sewing & hand embroidery
• 2 buttons or safety eyes
• Tailor's chalk
• Embroidery floss
• Fabric glue (optional)

Cut It

1. Download and print out the cat pattern. Tape together the pattern pieces.
2. Turn the sweater wrong side out. Position the pattern over the sweater, and then trace the pattern outline using chalk.
3. Pin the sweater layers together. Cut out the cat pattern through both layers.
4. From the felt, cut out an oval approximately 4"x5" for the cat's face. Cut a 5"-diameter half-circle for the cat's tummy.

Sew It

1. Set the stitch length to 3mm. With right sides together, begin stitching the cat perimeter along one long edge, using a scant 1/4" seam allowance. End stitching, leaving a 4" opening for stuffing.  Turn the cat right side out.
2. Using pencil, draw the cat nose, whiskers and mouth on the felt oval. Mark the placement for the safety eyes or buttons.
3. Thread an embroidery needle with two strands of embroidery floss. Embroider the mouth using a backstitch. If desired, switch to a different floss color to embroider the nose.
4. Thread the needle with one embroidery floss strand, and then embroider the whiskers.
5. Attach the safety eyes or hand stitch the buttons to the felt oval at the placement marks.
6. Position the face on the cat body; pin, and then hand stitch the face perimeter or adhere using fabric glue. Repeat to attach the tummy to the body.

Finish It

1. Stuff the cat body with fiberfill, using a chopstick or knitting needle to push the fiberfill into the tail and corners.
2. Slipstitch the opening closed.

Tip: Whether you're using a premade pattern or making your own, keep in mind that a felted sweater is usually pretty thick, and not really suited to small pieces like thin tails or small limbs.

Products used in this episode:

• Arrow Model 2000 sewing chair, Olivia cabinet and Pixie cutting table
• Brother Innov-ís 950D sewing & embroidery machine