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Oh my, he is as cute as I had thought he would be.
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What does a crafter do when they find they have a whole Friday night to themselves?
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I decided to see if I could sew up an elephant!
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The pattern was on this 1 x 3 inch vintage cigarette card. I blew it up and printed it on a piece of paper. I cut all the pattern pieces out of some felt I had in my stash.
I wish I had some gray felt...but who knew I would be sewing an elephant this weekend?
I have never sewn a stuffed toy like this. There are no instructions, so you really have to wing it.
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When I got to this point it felt like I was about to stuff a turkey. I had sewed everything on my machine, but from this point on it would have to be all hand stitching.
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The ears really made it look like an elephant. I added some eyes and defined the feet like they did in the picture.
I can't tell you how many times I had to look at their illustration.
The highlight for me was creating this little cape/saddle. I also opted to make his tusks out of some gold leather.
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My final great idea was to use this bit of beading for his tale. I love him! Even if he would end up on the island of misfit toys!
That is the cutest elephant I have ever seen. Well done, Carmi. Love it!!
ReplyDeleteHe's adorable, and the tail is just perfect! I had a whole book of these toys when a child (you traced the patterns) and I remember that you did blanket stitch to seam them together, using embroidery thread. Your finish is WAY nicer!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet idea.
I can't believe you made that from no real instructions. Well, yes I can and I LOVE him. He is without a doubt devine. Love the tail and the sweet, gentle face. He'd better not end up on a pile of misfits.
ReplyDeleteHe is gorgeous! Now I have to try to make one...
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely adorable! What a fun Friday night!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute elephant, Carmi. You did an excellent job and I like him in the tan felt. Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed holiday season.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Diana
So SWEET! I love him :)
ReplyDeleteI sure hope one of you guys tries to make one! I might do another one using fabric instead of felt.
ReplyDeleteSo cute!!! Love it!
ReplyDeleteHe is adorable Carmi. I'm going to leave sewing to the experts. If I try my hand at it...the trunk might become one of the legs. (It reminds when Denise tried to sew Theo a shirt in the Cosby Show)...that would be me.
ReplyDeleteThis is adorable! You took a risk trying it, but it turned out wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHe's adorable!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it bizarre to find a children's toy pattern on a cigarette card? Times certainly have changed.
love the elephant - too cute - kudos - love fellow GTA bloggers
ReplyDeleteI invite you to check out my blog
Love this little guy. I want to make one.
ReplyDeleteso so so cute Carmi!!! the tail addition is great, as are the wee little toes!!!
ReplyDeleteThis elephant is so cute! I am making him!! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi Carmi. I love to make stuff like this and was wondering if I could use this nice simple pattern with brown felt to make a woolly mammoth. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteI am sure the pattern can be adapted. Adding extra horns would make it very different.
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