Family Tree Rattle Tutorial

Celebrate the newest branch of your family tree with an adorable family tree rattle.  Customize the trunk with the parents initials or the initials of your new addition for a sweet personalized  DIY baby shower gift.

You will need:

6″ x 8″ Brown felt for trunk we used Penny*

9″ X 11″ Green felt for tree top we used Cilantro

Bright Green felt scraps for leaves we used Key Lime*

Pale blue felt scrap for bird we used Blue *

Beige felt we used Camel*

Dark brown or black thread for initials.

Rattle or bell insert

CUT

2 tree tops from green felt,

Desired number of leaves from green scrap, we used 11 and these can easily be cut freehand.

1 bird from blue felt

2 trunks from brown felt

1 nest from beige felt

 

Stitch trunk to tree top with running stitch and brown thread. Stitch nest into place with matching thread and then stitch bird down add initials onto tree with dark brown thread, use it to create a french knot for bird eye.

Stitch trunk to tree top making sure they match up when placed together.

Place tree pieces together and stitch up the trunk sides with matching thread and an overcast stitch, stuffing as you go. Stitch tree tops together with matching thread.

Stuff, add rattle insert and sew closed.

Stitch base to tree with an overcast stitch.

Happy Crafting

~Andie

Family Tree Rattle Pattern PDF

You Might Also Like:

Wand Rattles

Turkey Rattle

Palace Guard Rattle

Felt Feather Quill Pen Topper

Make all your writing more poetic with a feather quill pen topper. This felt craft is a fun way to personalize your desk supplies, these DIY felt feathers can be added to pencils, markers, heck even paintbrushes Of course the classic feather pen is the most fabulous.  These guys make great additions to teachers gifts, sign in books and journals. Give them a try you’ll find the free pattern and tutorial here.

You will need:

9″ x 12″ sheet wool blend felt, I used Teal, Mauve Taupe and Grey. *

Template (at the end of post) PDF here: Quill Pen Template

*Matching tread.

Cut:

1 quill shape from desired felt color.

Place pre-cut quill onto a slightly larger felt scrap.

Sew down along edges using a running stitch and marching thread. Create a small channel along the bottom as shown on template and leave the ends open.

Stitch lines down to create details. This won’t look quite as good on the other side but that’s ok I promise.

Cut away access felt carefully making sure not to cut your stitching.

Slip your writing utensil of choice into the open channel and begin living a more poetic life. Or at least writing a more poetic grocery list.

 

Customize your DIY pen plume with over 200 color and pattern choices, stop by the shop to shop to see hundreds of great choices.

Share your make with us on our Facebook page and keep up to date on all our free patterns, sales and newest products. American Felt and Craft 

Happy Crafting!

~Andie

Baby Bunnies with Carrot Bottles

What’s more adorable than a bunny? A baby bunny obviously. These simple DIY bunnies feature removable diapers and carrot shaped bottles. These little guys go together in no time and are a great DIY felt craft for spring or anytime you need more baby bunnies in your life.

You will  need:

Felt for bunny body, inner ears, and tail,  we used White, Peanut Butter and Grey*

2″x 2″ scrap Pink felt for inner ears and noses we used Amaranth Pink*

Felt for diaper we used Honeydew, Sunshine and Sparrow

3″ x 3″ scrap orange felt for carrot, we used Carrot *

3″ x 3″ scrap green for carrot top, we used Cilantro

Black DCM or cross stitch thread

Stuffing

Felt glue (to fix diaper closed optional)

Bunny babies pattern template (end of post)

*Matching Thread

Cut:

2 bunny bodies, 2 of each bunny ear and 1 bunny tail per bunny

1 diaper from color of choice

1  inner ear and one nose from pink felt

1 carrot, 2 carrot strips from orange felt

1 set of carrot tops from green felt

Stitch down nose and inner ears to one of the sides of both felt bunny ears and nose to body.  Stitch face details onto bunny. Use french knots for eyes.

Sew ear fronts to backs with an overcast stitch. Leave the bottom open to stuff.

Stitch the ears to the body with a running stitch and then continue to overcast stitch around the outside stuffing each section as you go.

To make felt diaper

 Sew tail to the center back. Diaper can be folded on or glued if you don’t plan on changing any bunny diapers.

To make carrot bottle

Stack two strips on top of each other and sew down along the tip.

Fold so rounded edge is on top.

Overcast stitch along side. Sew small gathering stitches stitch loosely along top of carrot.

Stuff lightly. Stack carrot tops together stitch through base and pull to close up top.

Run the needle through the top and carrot a few times to secure.

Sew level stitches along the carrot body to give it a few dents. Knot. Fluff out carrot top.

Stop by the shop:

Happy Crafting!

~Andie

Baby Bunny Template PDF

You may also like these free felt patterns

DIY Baby Kraken

Spring Bunny Garland Pattern

Felt Gerbera Daisies – Pattern and Tutorial

 

 

Bunny Ear Teether Tutorial and Pattern

Adorable bunny ears are the perfect Easter DIY for the little one’s in your life. These little ear teethers are a boutique staple and always a hit at baby showers.  You will need a sewing machine but have no fear novice sewers, this one is extremely simple to master.  The “ears” can be slipped off for washing or switched out based on mood. Customize the fabric to your nursery theme or baby shower. I backed these guys in a minky dot for some fun soft texture but a terry cloth would make a great choice for hard core teethers. The addition of crinkle material makes these ears extra fun. Because what baby doesn’t go crazy for crinkle?

You will need:

1/8 yard fabric of choice

1/8 yard backing of choice, minky or terry cloth add a fun texture.

All natural wood teething ring (these rings are solid and the wood won’t splinter)

Sewing machine

Pattern to make bunny ear teether (At the end of post)

Crinkle Material for baby toys (optional) Crinkle Material 

Cut

Cut out ear pattern on fold from fabric of your choice.

Place the fabrics together with the printed (front) sides facing each other.

Pin to backing and roughly cut around in a rectangle. Minky and other silky fabrics shift it’s easier to just sew down and then cut.

How to add crinkle material to  your handmade baby toy.

Adding crinkle to your baby toy is super easy. Just place the toy crinkle on top of one side of the project and then sew. (see pink chevron print above) The crinkle material will be in the center when turned.

AFC’s crinkle is formulated to be washer/ dryer and iron safe so treat as you would normally no special requirements.

Sew pieces together leaving around 1/4″ from your stitch to the edge of the fabric. Leave at least 1″ near the center of one side to turn rightside out.

Cut off extra backing fabric and trim off the unsewn part of the ear tip.

Turn.  Use a chopstick or unsharpened pencil to help you get the ear tips.

Tuck the raw pieces of the opening together, pin if needed and sew shut.

Iron along the edges only (this helps preserve the minky bumps) and top stitch around the ears one more time.

That’s it! Now to add the teething ring to your brand new rabbit ear teether.

How to attach to teething ring

1. Fold back sides together and pull the center into the ring to make a loop.
2. Pull the ears through the loop slowly adjusting to keep the print facing forward as needed.
3. Tug on the ears to tighten.

Happy Crafting!

~Andie

Bunny Ear Pattern PDF: BunnyEarsPattern

 

DIY Mini Carrot Easter Tree Ornaments

     While there seems to have been an explosion of colorful Easter trees in stores and style blogs lately decorating trees or plants with eggs is practically an ancient German tradition. But they aren’t alone, the Swedish also create colorful Easter trees decorating them with ornaments including Easter eggs and even colorful feathers.

These whimsical Easter “trees” add a splash of color and a nod to spring to your room all in one go. Whether your style is pastel traditional, daring avant garde color or muted neutrals these mini carrot ornaments can be made to fit the feel of Easter tree or any room.  Making your own felt Easter tree ornaments couldn’t be easier, give it a go and let send pics!

You will need:

3″ wool blend felt in color of your choice per carrot. *

3″ Wool blend felt in pale green I used Honeydew

Stuffing

Cross Stitch thread in a pale green.

*Matching thread

Cut carrot top shapes and set aside.  Cut cone shape.  Fold so rounded edge is on top.

Overcast stitch along side. Sew small gathering stitches stitch loosely along top of carrot.

Stuff lightly. Stack carrot tops together stitch through base and pull to close up top.

Run the needle through the top and carrot a few times to secure.

Sew level stitches along the carrot body to give it a few dents. Knot. Fluff out carrot top.

To create a string to hang run a single strand of cross stitch thread through the center leaf. Bring into a loop and knot to tie.

Happy Crafting!

~Andie

Lemon Meringue Pie – Felt Food Tutorial

Happy Pi day! Let’s celebrate with pie.

We’ve shared tutorials for cherry pie and for hand pies so today let’s tackle felt lemon meringue pie. The key to making felt pie is the cut. Mess up the cut and the pie won’t sit right so take your time and cut with care. Consider the freezer paper method although the pie template pieces are all fairly easy to cut. This pie slice is based on a 6 piece pie. 6 pieces = 8″ pie. If you need a quick refresher on the stitches check out our post on stitches.

You will need:

4″ x 8″ White or Cream colored felt I used Cream *

4″ x 4″ Yellow Felt I used Lemon Meringue but Banana Cream is also a great choice *

4″ x 8″ Beige felt I used Peanut Butter *

Stuffing

Pie form (optional)

*Matching Thread

Felt pie template (at the end of this post)

Cut

2 Filling pieces from yellow felt

2 Meringue pieces and 1 top from cream color

1 Crust and one bottom from beige felt.

Sew the filling pieces together along the short side of one end with yellow thread and an overcast stitch.

Repeat with meringue pieces, joining them along the widest end with white thread and an overcast stitch. Line up the center seams and overcast stitch the edge of the meringue to the filling. The center ridge should be facing outward. Attach the top along one of the sides following the curve using an overcast stitch and white thread.

Repeat on second side. Attach the crust along one of the filling sides.  Repeat on second side. Crust will stick up Using white thread and a running stitch attack the back of the meringue filling to the crust. Curl crust back and sew along the base with a running stitch to create a tube.Turn pie over and stuff with stuffing and or pie form. Stitch closed with yellow thread and an overcast stitch.

 

Stuff the crust using a pencil to help if needed. Stitch both ends of the crust closed.

With a large loose over cast style stitch use the thread to create indentations along the length of the crust.

Lemon Pie Template PDF 

Happy Crafting,

Andie.

DIY Felt Four Leaf Clover

These simple felt four leaf clover will allow you to add a touch of green to anything. Best of all these DIY felt shamrocks stitch together in minutes!

3″ x 6″ Green Felt per clover, I used Fresh Cut Grass

Matching thread

Sewing Needle

Clover template (at the end of post)

Set one of the shamrock shapes aside.

Fold one of the clover leaves together, sew a few stitches to hold the fold. Repeat with all leaves. Place the shamrock pieces together and over cast stitch around the sides to hold.

Happy Crafting!

~Andie