Bunny Rabbit Wearing Bonnet Pillow

Rabbit Pillow Materials

• National Nonwovens Felt: Mellow Yellow, Beach Sand, Pet Moss, Cotton Candy, Shocking Pink, Pink, Lilac, Yellow Chartreuse, Pink Grapefruit, Chocolate, Black, and White
• Steam-A-Seam 2® double stick fusible web
• DMC Embroidery Floss in Black and Lemon (#307)
• Matching thread (for sewing pillow)
• Crafter’s Choice® Crafter’s Choice® Pillow 16″ X 16″

Tools

• Scissors
• Ruler
• Sewing Machine
• Embroidery Needle
• Iron and Ironing Board

Design Note

I see the Easter bonnet designs as an opportunity for self-expression. So, please feel free to modify the flower adornments. You could choose a different color palette.  National Nonwovens felt has a wonderful array of colors. Originally, I planned to have the flowers pressed flat and no embroidery stitches. Then  I changed my mind when I was assembling the pillow. I decided to add dimension to the flowers. (If I had been running short of time, then I probably would stayed with the original plan.)

Finishing Options

To help you decide which approach is right for you, the finished project provides examples of finishing options.

1. Leaves—I pressed them flat onto the hat.
2. White flowers—I removed a little bit of the fusible web from the petal layers. How much did I remove? I just removed it from the petals and left the center part.
3. Pink layered flowers— I chose to create more dimension. That is why I removed more of the fusible web from the petal layers. This way I could lightly press the petal layers up.
4. Purple flowers—I decided to give the purple flowers more prominence for two reasons. The first reason is to create design unity with the bow. The second reason is that I am fond of the color.  I made the following changes to the original: removed all fusible web backing, substituted  the yellow felt center with French Knot stitches, sewed the layers together, created a slight curve up by sewing on the back of the bottom layer, and sewing the flower to attach to the hat.
5. Large focal flower—I chose to give it the look of a quasi lily. I lightly pressed each petal in half. To help  the petals keep  the shape, I whip stitch  over the pressed lines from the wrong side.  The center pieces are pressed flat.

Instructions for the Rabbit Pillow

Rabbit Pillow Pattern PDF

Create pillow base

Cut two 17” X 17” squares from Mellow Yellow. Sew ½” seam when sewing the pillow base together. Leave an opening wide enough to insert pillow. Trim all four corners to create sharper corners. Turn right side out. To make it easier to sew closed, press under the edges of the open seam.

Pillow Applique

The pattern pieces are marked based on the original design. If you choose to follow the options provided, then remember to adjust accordingly. One example is the purple flowers. If you plan to French Knot stitch the centers of the purple flower, then cut only three flower centers from the Yellow felt instead of the seven listed on the pattern.

Assemble

Underside of hat, press into place. Temporarily remove the fusible web from the hat base. Place the underside pieces on to the hat. Press into place.

Embellish the muzzle. Temporarily remove the fusible web. Sew mouth and the line that goes under the nose onto the muzzle using three strands of black embroidery floss. Press nose into place.

Assemble eyes. Temporarily remove fusible web from the brown piece of the eye. Center the pupil on top of it. The white circle gives the look of light reflecting off the eyes. Using the photo for reference, place it on top. Press pieces together. Replace the fusible web.

Add face details

Temporarily remove the fusible web from the face. Press muzzle into place. Using the photo for reference, position the eyes and press into place.

Press ears onto the face. The top part of the ears (inside edge) overlap the face by 1/4”. After you have positioned the ears, carefully flip over the piece. Press the 1/4” overlap–be extremely not to put the iron directly on the fusible web. Only press the ¼” overlap. Replace the fusible web to the back of the face.

“Dress” and place bunny

First cut slit on hat as marked on pattern. Then insert rabbit’s head into the slit.  Place component onto to pillow.  Using the photo for reference. Position the ribbon pieces.  Also, position the bow pieces into place. The rabbit’s chin should slightly overlap the bow pieces (1/8” to ¼”). Check the position of the applique prior to pressing. Pin the bottom edge closed and place pillow where you would when it is completed. Adjust placement if necessary. Remove pillow insert and press applique into place. Temporarily reinsert pillow.

Embellish hat

See design note on how to assemble flowers. The center large flower and the purple flowers were sewn into place. The remaining items were pressed into place.

Focal flower—press the petals in half.   From the wrong side, apply approximately 1/2″ of whip stitches over the pressed lines. You start your stitches at about 1/4″ in from the petal’s outside edge. Position the flower’s center pieces on top. Press into place.

Purple flowers to give the petals of the purple flower a slight curve up, you’ll just modify the approach used on the focal flower. With the wrong side of the assemble flower facing you, lightly pinch the middle and work a few whip stitches. Rotate the flower a quarter turn and repeat.  This is done a total of four times.

Use photo for reference for placement of flowers and leaves. Remove insert. Press pieces into place. Reinsert pillow and sew closed.

 

Reference Information

You can find tutorials on the following by clicking on them.

Whip Stitch

French Knot

Tips

1. Placement of applique—To help ensure that you placed the pillow decoration in the right spot, temporarily insert the pillow.  What looks right on flat surface does not always look right on a curved surface.
2. Finished project—To help ensure the best final results, trim the fusible web so that it is slightly smaller than the piece it backs. This will help reduce the likelihood of it peeking out if you wiggle the iron when pressing the part into place.
3. Using fusible web—Follow manufacturer’s instructions especially when pressing applique pieces into place.