I've made several of the Funky Friends stuffed animals out of Island Batik cotton fabrics. The last one I made was Pete the Dog. I decided I wanted to make one with softer more cuddly fabric. I decided to try the pattern called Honey Bear. If you subscribe to the Funky Friends Factory website, you can download this pattern for free.
I went to my stash and decided to use a light yellow soft, fluffy fabric I had yardage in. It may be a minky fabric. The fabric sewed up really well. With this kind of fabric you will have a lot of fuzz, but it's worth it. It's also wonderful to create with fabric you have on hand!
My little bear turned out great! It has little bead eyes and an embroidered nose. Don't forget a bow around the neck and he's ready to cuddle!
My quilt Pixie Posies is in the May/June issue of Love of Quilting 2022. This is a lovely spring quilt made with Island Batik fabrics in a variety of bright fabrics. The paper pieced design is easy to make and buttons are an added embellishment.
My quilt Wrenches & Nuts & Bolts, Oh My! is published in the May/June issue of Quiltmaker Magazine 2022. This is a great quilt for the man in your life!
The magazine is available at stands now and the digital issue is available at Quiltingdaily.com.
The April Island Batik Ambassador Challenge is all about stuffed animals made with Pauline McArthur's Funky Friends Factory patterns. Pauline allowed each of us to select one of her Funky Friends pattern to make this month. She has a delightful menagerie of all kinds of animal friends- you will want to check them all out here. It was hard to decide which one to make.
I picked the pattern Puppy Dog Pete. Pauline's patterns are great. They progress step by step with helpful hints along the way and many even have a video you can follow which is really helpful. This pattern had a video and I watched it as well as following the pattern.
I picked out three fabrics from the Island Batik Contempo collection to make my puppy. I used the Contempo collection for my February Row by Row Challenge. This has to be one of my favorite collections. I love the bright colors.
I used Schmetz Microtex needles and Aurifil Thread. The stuffing came from an old poly pillow. I love using what I have on hand. I also had two 12 mm safety eyes leftover from other projects, so I was ready to go!
"Did someone say Aurifil Thread?"
The puppy was fun to make. This is the 5th Funky Friends critter I've made. The instructions are great. It is interesting how the arms and legs are stuffed separately and how it all comes together. I didn't take any pictures when I was working on the puppy. You tend to stay focused on the steps and the fun of seeing it all come together, and photos don't even come to mind.
Puppy dog Pete likes to hang around the couch.
He also keeps me company while I work on the computer.
If you'd like to make a cute little stuffed animal for yourself or a loved one- be sure and check out the Funky Friends Factory patterns!
The other Ambassadors will be posting their Funky Friends this month. You can check out their blogs below
This is my piece. The country of Tuscany. You may see more details here. My blog is “Mania for Quilts“.
Preeti Harris from “Sew Preeti Quilts” blog made her project in a technique she has recently learned. The shadow of the couple is herself and her husband. More details here.
Dolomites
Elizabeth De Cross from “Epida Studio” made an applique and thread painted pillow inspired by the mountains. More details here.
Leah Malasky from “Quilted Delights” blog made also the Dolomite mountains. More details here.
Lake Como
Andie Stanfield from True Blue Quilts made a “Follow your dreams quilt” for your daughter who wants to visit Italy. More details here.
Pamela Boatright from “Pamela Quilts” blog made also a rather abstact quilt inspired by Lake Como. More details here.
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Milan
Reed Johnson from “Blue Bear Quilts” blog made this. More details here.
Brianna Roberts from Sew Cute and Quirky blog made her own aspect from Milan including many well known buildings of the city, old and modern. More details here.
Carrara
Lisa Pickering from “Lisa’s Quilting Passion” blog made this quilt inspired by Carrara marbles. More details here.
Michelle Roberts from “Creativeblonde Gifts” blog made the quilt you see below inspired also by Carrara marbles. I think she had a very clever idea! More details here.
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Capri
Megan from Best Quilter blog made this quilt. She also includes on jer post a tutorial on how she made it. More details here.
Jennifer Fulton from “Inquiring Quilter” blog made Juliet’s romantic balcony and then photographed it on her favorite Italian restaurant. More details here.
Anorina Morris from “Samelia’s Mum” blog made her version of Juliet’s balcony. Just thread painting and coloring for her work. More details here.
Those were March’s works from all Island Batik Ambassadors. I hope you enjoyed them.
