Here we are, another swap! This one is for the RATZ (Rapid & Tiny Zakka) Swap. May was Key Fob month.
Using the pattern found at BDDesigns Owls and More… I created this little key fob for my partner. I sure hope she likes it!
The pattern is not in English, but she did make a photo tutorial. Of course I have my own notes…I ended up tracing the pattern straight from my computer screen – it printed out much larger than I wanted, but on screen it was the perfect size for a key chain! Then I cut out the shape and traced it onto the wrong side of my fabric (Calypso by estudios). I also lined up the bottom of the bird with the center line of a flower in the fabric design so that it would look more like feathers.
Once I had traced the bird onto the fabric, I pinned the ribbon loop that holds the key chain in place between the two pieces of fabric, right sides together. I sewed right on my tracing lines, except for the bottom of the bird, and cut around the stitching lines, leaving just about an 8th inch seam allowance. I made sure to reinforce the seam with Fray Check at this point – if you have never used Fray Check I HIGHLY recommend it. That stuff is MAGIC.
I gathered the bottom and stuffed the bird, I did find I had some trouble getting stuffing into the head and the tail. I covered the bottom of the bird with a circle of felt and used a blanket stitch to hold that in place. The wings and eyes were attached last.
Too cute! Your swap partner is a lucky lady!
I love birds. You put so much thought into that little birdie and it’s adorable!!