Sew Cute Patterns Plush Baby Owl Pattern Whipstitch Tutorial www.sewcutepatterns.com

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Your stuffed baby owl will be created with a whipstitch which is done by hand using embroidery floss and a sewing needle.

What is a whipstitch?

A whipstitch is simply a stitch that passes over the edge of the fabric. Watch a video example at: http://www.sewcutepatterns.com/p/whipstitch.html

Begin the whipstitch by tying a knot in the end of the thread. Then poke the needle through the top layer of fabric, about 1/8" in Then go over the edge of the fabric and poke the needle up through both layers of fabric about 1/8" from the edge. The distance between the stitches can vary depending on how you'd like the stitch to look. Generally, about 3/4" or a tab wider is good. Repeat till you get to the end of the fabric you are stitching. Tie a knot to secure.

When whipsitching, you want to use a fabric type that won't fray around the edges.

Felt fabric is best not only because it doesn't fray but because it doesn't have a lot of pull. So the stitch looks good. Felt however is very limited in colors and patterns and it’s not very soft.

Fleece fabric also can be used because it doesn't fray around the edges and it very soft. The stitch still looks good but you just have to remember not to pull the stitch too hard because of it’s softness. Let it sit on the edge and don't pull it any further. Fleece is available in many colors and patterns at most fabric stores. Owl Sewing Pattern Whipstitch instructions

Owl coloring page: Your pattern includes a coloring page. If you are sewing your owl for your child, grandchild or other special little one, print out the coloring page and ask them if they’d like to help design what their owl will look like! Have them color the head, eyes, beak, wings and feet in the colors they’d like their new pet owl to be! Print out multiple pages and color it with different colors and then pick a favorite one together. Children love to be part of the creative process. Their imaginations are amazing!

Supplies needed:

Fleece or felt fabric for owl head Scraps of felt fabric for eyes and beak Embroidery sewing needle Embroidery floss to match the color of the owl head. Or you can use a different color than the head to make you own even more colorful! Pins Scissors Patterns Polyfill polyester stuffing Hot glue gun and glue sticks 2 tiny pompoms (you can also cut two very small circles out of felt fabric as an alternative)

Pattern pieces:

Cut all pattern pieces from pattern pages. The head pattern prints on multiple pages and will need to be taped together. Match up the letters and use them as a guide when taping together. Tape together along the dashed lines. Let’s begin by cutting out the owl head.

Pin the head pattern on fleece or felt fabric and cut around the pattern.

Next, let’s create the face.

Use scraps of felt fabric in whatever colors you would like to create 2 outer eyes, 2 middle eyes, 2 inner eyes, 1 beak, 2 outer wings, 2 inner wings and 2 feet. You can also cut out the flower and heart templates if you’d like to decorate your owl with those.

You can also use plastic jewels or other fun décor to decorate your owl!

Pin the patterns to felt fabric and cut around the pattern.

Hot glue the middle eyes to the center of the outer eyes.

Hot glue the inner eye to the center or edge of the middle eye as desired.

Hot glue the outer eyes to the owl’s head.

Hot glue the beak to the owl’s head.

Hot glue the inner wings to the outer wings.

Pin the feet to the bottom of the owl. Pin the wings to both sides of the owl.

Using embroidery and needle, begin whipstitching the two layers of head fabric all the way around leaving about three inches open to stuff. Start the first stitch on the inside of the top layer of fabric so that the tied end of the embroidery floss is hidden between the head fabric pieces. The fabric is wrong sides together which means the “good side” is on the outside. We will not be reversing the fabric like we would if we were machine stitching.

Keep going with this same stitch even when you get to the wings and feet. Pretend the wings and feet are not there and just keep the same stitch around the edge of the head fabric.

When you get to the point that you have about 3-4 inches left, stop and stuff the owl with stuffing. Use small bits of stuffing at a time to avoid the owl being too lumpy.

Leave 3-4 inches open to stuff

When you’re finished stuffing, finish whipstitching the opening closed. Tie a knot to secure and cut any excess embroider floss.

As a final step, hot glue a tiny pompoms to the edge of both inner eyes. This gives your owl’s eyes that little “twinkle”.

Wala! Your pet owl is done!