Tutorial – Fabric horse on a broom 2015-04-24 12:46
We had fun for Maud’s 30th birthday party because the theme was to dress up in what, as a child, you wanted to become when you would be an adult. I’ve always been fond of horses and as a child I fantasized about having my own ranch with plenty of horses, so I didn’t have to think twice before creating my own Jolly Jumper on a broom!
Here is a tutorial if you want to use it for you or your kids.
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What you need
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– Fabric for the head, tail and back part of the ears, about 40×40 cm (16 x 16 inches)
– Contrast fabric for the eyes and ears, about 10×10 cm (4 x 4 inches)
– 2 buttons for the eyes
– Contrasting yarn for the mane and tail (the quantity really depends how voluminous you want it to be. I used yarn in 3 colors, about 2m of each color altogether)
– Stuffing
– a stick (from a broom or directly off the tree)
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How to
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Cut the fabric for the head
1. Cut the fabric, think about a big sock or “L” shape to make the head.
2. Cut the head from the top of the head down to the neck to allow space for the ears.
Cut and sew the small parts
3. Cut the fabric for the ears: 2 big size quarter of circle in a fabric and 2 medium size quarter of circle in another contrasting fabric. Then pin the quarter of circles in order to form ear shapes, sew them. Put the small ear on top of the big ear and sew.
4. Cut the fabric for the eyes: 2 big size circles in a contrasting fabric compared to the fabric for the head. You also need 2 buttons, that you’ll sew at the center of each of the circle.
5. Prepare the mane by cutting a band the length of the neck (and even a bit longer if you want to make it begin before the split for the ears. Cut yarn that you’ll arrange in loops on the band, secure it with tape and sew it with zigzag stitch. Once it’s sewn, you can remove the tape.
6. Cut a big circle out of the same fabric than the one for the head and create the tail by sewing the same yarn you used for the mane, except doing longer loops. You don’t need to use a band to secure it before sewing as it’s sewn on 1 point, at the center of the circle. To allow easier gathering around the stuffing that we’ll then put inside, sew a straigth line around the perimeter of the circle, with the longer point length on your sewing machine, without backing, and then pull the thread: the circle gathers.
Assemble the head and the small parts
7. Place and sew the ears on the head to neck opening, right sides of the head facing each others and ears inside the “head fabric sandwich”.
8. Place and sew the eyes on the head, allowing enough space in between them (and don’t forget to take into consideration sewing allowance)
9. Place the 2 sides of the head right sides facing each others and insert the mane as the ham in a sandwich, between the 2 sides of the head. This will ensure it is on the right side once sewn. Sew the full head except the very bottom of the neck as we will use this as an opening for the stuffing and setting the broom in.
Finalize
10. Fill in the head and tail with stuffing
11. Put them on each side of a broom and secure with band or tape
12. Enjoy the ride!
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