How to Make an Owl Using a Sewing Machine
For someone who loves or collects owl figurines, a homemade stuffed owl is a perfect gift. Choose gray and brown fabrics to mimic the colors of a real owl, or choose funky patterned fabrics for a cuddly owl. Customize the owl with cut-out or googly eyes and create large or small wings and feet. No matter which styles you choose, using a sewing machine will simplify the project.
Things You'll Need
- Thick paper
- Scissors
- Fabric, assorted varieties
- Fabric Marker
- Sewing Pins
- Thread
- Batting
Instructions
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Preparing the Fabric
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1
Draw the body shape of the owl with a pencil onto a piece of thick paper. Only draw one side of the owl, lined against the edge of the paper. This ensures that the body of the owl is the same shape and size. Position the pencil against the side edge of the paper, and start drawing a horizontal line for the top of the owl’s head. Curve the line upward to create an ear. Finish the shape by drawing a large oval from the tip of the ear back down to the side edge of the paper.
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2
Draw the remaining body pieces onto the thick paper. Create a large circle for the outer eye and a smaller circle for the middle of the eye. Draw a triangle for the beak and make one wing. Draw an oval, and add a triangle to the top of the oval. Erase the bottom curve of the oval, leaving only the top and sides. Extend the length of the sides straight down about 1 inch for a seam allowance.
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3
Trace all of the pattern pieces onto the correlating fabric with a fabric marker. Fold the fabric for the body of the owl in half. Place the straight edge of the body pattern piece along the fold. Trace the shape onto the fabric with a fabric marker.
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4
Repeat the process for a second, identical body piece. Trace the beak, eye and wing pattern pieces onto fabric. Make two of each circle and four wing pieces.
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5
Cut all the pieces from the fabric and set aside. Cut two strips from the fabric for the legs of the owl. This doesn’t have to be drawn out before cutting. Determine the desired width of each leg, and double the size. The length of each strip will be the desired length of the leg.
Sewing the Owl
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6
Set up your sewing machine to sew the fabric pieces of the owl. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your machine to determine the correct tension and stitch length.
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7
Pin the two smaller eye circles directly in the center of the larger circles. Both fabric pieces should be right-side up. Sew around the edge of the smaller circle, attaching the inner part of the eye to the larger circle. Remove the pins as you sew.
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8
Pin the eyes and beak onto the face of the owl, all pieces right-side up. Sew around the edges of the eyes and beak.
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9
Match up and pin two of the wing pieces with the right sides together. Repeat for the two remaining wing pieces. Sew around the outside edges of the wings, leaving the side that will attach to the owl open.
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10
Fold the two leg strips in half lengthwise with the right sides together. Pin the edges together. Sew the long edge and one of the shortest edges of both leg pieces, only leaving one short end of each strip open.
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11
Turn the wings and legs right-side out. Stuff batting into each wing and leg, ensuring every corner is filled. Use a pencil to turn the legs right-side out, and push the batting to the bottom if they are long and thin. Pin the open edges closed when finished.
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12
Lay the face piece of the owl on a flat surface, right-side up. Pin each wing and leg to the body piece in the correct locations, but turn them onto the face of the owl. For example, the legs will be pinned to the bottom of the owl, but will be facing toward the ears. The wings will be pinned to each side, but will be pointed toward the beak.
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13
Lay the back body piece on top of the face, right-side down. Line up the outside edges and pin them together.
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14
Sew around the outside of the owl, only leaving an opening between the legs. If the legs are long, ensure that you don’t sew over the feet when sewing around the top of the owl. Situate the legs so they remain in the middle.
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15
Turn the owl inside out through the open space between the legs. Stuff the owl with batting.
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16
Turn in the edges between the legs, and pin the fabric together. Sew the owl closed. If the area is too small or cannot fit under your machine, it may be necessary to hand-stitch this small area.
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