I read about the Sew, Mama, Sew contest at the beginning of this month and realized that I actually had time to participate! I have been working on my little Earthworm off and on all week and I finally have everything finished!
So here it goes!
I like my projects to be very free form and very easy to do without a pattern. So feel free to experiment and create to your hearts desire!
Scrappy Earthworm Tutorial
1. Gather up your scraps that are at least 7 inches long and 1.5 inches wide. I have lots of small amounts of fabric in little piles all over so I used those.
2. Cut the fabric into 7 inch long strips. The width can vary between 1.5 inches and 3 inches. I used several different widths, but you could use all the same width too.
3. After all your strips are cut out decide on your pattern. Sew the strips together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance until you have a long rectangle of sewn strips. Make it as long or short as you like. Remember I said free form!
4. Iron your seams flat on the back and fold the rectangle in half lengthwise, right sides facing each other.
5. Cut a rounded head shape and a pointy tail. No need for a pattern or a ruler here. Just wing it. If you really need help use a small bowl as a guide for the head.
6. Sew along the cut edge leaving a 2-3 inch opening a few inches below the head.
7. Turn worm right side out and stuff his head until its filled out. Mark the position for his eyes. Embroidery his face or use buttons, this is where you get to use your creativity!
8. I went for simple with just his cute ivory buttons as eyes and pink thread for his pupils. I love his pointy nose!
9. Continue stuffing your worm until he is the firmness you want.
10. Sew up the stuffing hole with an invisible stitch and enjoy your worm!
Need some ideas to get you started?
1. Make a snake instead of a worm by adding a red felt tongue.
2. Fill him with beans or rice for a great draft stopper for windows and doors.
3. Make a shorter worm and fill it with rice as a Hot Rice pack for your neck and shoulders (leave off the buttons for this one).
4. Use solid colors and after you sew the strips into a rectangle embroider a different pattern onto each strip. Make him a long adorable embroidery sampler!
Hope you enjoyed this free pattern! Have Fun!
I love this little guy! I have a million scraps (who doesn't??) and I am putting this cute wormy on my list!
Posted by: Care | October 23, 2009 at 02:56 PM
Hey--great tutorial. I think I'm going to make him. :)
Posted by: --ginger. | October 26, 2009 at 09:44 PM
I've had this on my list of things to do since Scrap Buster week and I just now finished it. Thank you for the easy-to-follow tutorial! Filled with rice, he makes a great draft-stopper. I'm going to post some photos on my blog soon and I'll be sure to link to this post so people know just where to go if they want to try their hand at an earthworm. Again, thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Megan Berry | January 15, 2010 at 06:54 AM