DIY Linen Bunny

If you've followed my blog for any length of time, you've probably figured out that I have a very simple, modern, and clean aesthetic. I'm not really big on fussy or frilly design and that often translates into my holiday decor. Sometimes really simple things have a strong impact. Which brings me to my little linen bunnies. So easy. So cute. These make perfect table decor, Easter basket stuffers, sachets, hostess gifts, etc.

What you'll need:

**Linen (a fat quarter should make 2 bunnies)

Fiber fill

Sewing Machine

Scissors, needle, thread

Fabric pen or Sharpie

Dried lavender (optional)

Bunny pattern available here - I actually used my template from this tutorial of mine

**You don't have to use linen for this project. Feel free to use any cotton fabric you like. I think these would be fun in some super bright colors too.

Getting Started:

Cut out the bunny pattern and trace it on to your fabric with a fabric pen or sharpie (be sure your fabric is folded in half so you'll actually be cutting both sides of the bunny at once).

Cut it out.

Pin the pieces together. If you're using a patterned fabric, be sure to pin the right sides facing each other.

With a quarter inch seam, sew the pieces together. Remember to leave a couple of inches open at the bottom. Turn your bunny right side out. It drove me nuts getting those ears turned out but I eventually managed using the flat end of a knitting needle (you can use a knitting needle, scissors, chop stick, etc). Be sure that you don't push too hard so that you push right through the bunny.

Start stuffing your bunny with fiberfill. Again, the ears are a bit of a pain. Use small bits of fiber fill and push them up as far as you can (again, I used my knitting needle for the ears). My ears aren't as stuffed as I'd like but you really can't tell.

I decided to put dried lavender in my bunnies along with the stuffing since I've had a pound of it from the fabulous Clairmont Farms in Los Olivos, CA sitting around for a while. They smell so GOOD! I'm definitely putting some of these bunnies in my smelly boys' baskets.

When your bunny is all stuffed, use a simple whip stitch and stitch the bottom closed.

I had intended to draw little faces on them with a fabric pen but I decided I like them just how they are.

So easy. Right? If you get stuck on a step, comment here and I'll be happy to help.

DIY Bunny Applique

I feel like I'm still recovering from the holidays yet Easter is just around the corner! I'm not sure I'll ever get caught up but I did manage to eek out this really cute and *super simple* bunny applique. I'm not a huge fan of pastels so I decided to keep with the spring trend and go for a hot pink bunny. Of course, you can do this in any color you like. (This would be cute for the little guys too!)

What you'll need:

• Blank one piece, t-shirt, tank, etc. (pre-washed for shrinkage)
• Sheet of felt or piece of fabric in the color(s) of your choice - if you're using felt, I strongly recommend eco-fi felt by Kunin. It's made from recycled bottles and holds up really well in the wash.
• Heat n Bond or other fusible webbing (if you plan to machine sew the applique, be sure to use Heat n Bond Lite)
• Scissors
• Sewing machine *or* embroidery floss and needle
• Bunny template
  
  

Getting Started:

Since I use Heat n Bond, my instructions will follow Heat n Bond's instructions. If you are using a different fusible web, simply change out my instructions with the instructions on the package.

Print out your template and place it under your fusible webbing. Trace the pattern with a pencil. 

Next you'll want to iron your bunny webbing onto your felt or fabric. For Heat n Bond, set it on the "wool" setting (NO STEAM). Iron the design onto the felt or fabric for about 3 or so seconds so it looks like this:

Carefully cut out your bunny.

Take your bunny and peel off the wax paper layer from the back. Place the bunny exactly where you want it on the t-shirt with the glossy/fusible webbing side face down. Iron the applique on to the t-shirt pressing for about 10 seconds. I like to place a scrap piece of fabric over the applique while pressing just to be safe. Again be sure to use the wool setting with no steam. Check to be sure that the applique is firmly adhered to the shirt.

Now that your bunny is attached to the t-shirt, you're ready to start the applique process. You can do this with a machine or by hand. To stitch by hand, cut about 3-4 feet of your embroidery thread. Your skein of thread will have six strands. Separate two of the strands from the piece you've cut and thread them through your needle.

For this piece, I used a straight stitch. It's a basic stitch and great for a beginner. You basically bring the needle up through the t-shirt and back down making straight little stitches about 2 cm in from the edge of your applique.

Once you've finished the stitching, you're finished.

This little number won't take you long at all. Maybe 30 minutes or so depending on how long the stitching takes. It's well worth the effort when it can make your kid *this* happy!