A Totally Turtle Tutorial

A turtle pincushion that is :)

Would you believe it if I told you that until now I didn't have a pincushion?? Could you imagine sewing without one?

I couldn't any longer...

Soooo... I dreamed up this little swimmer last night and it only took me an hour to stitch him to life during naps today.

It's so easy I feel silly for making a tutorial, but you know, sometimes it's just nice to have things laid out, so you don't have to think about anything. Hopefully this will be helpful :)

Here's all you need:

• Felt, canvus, wool, burlap or some sort of heavier weight material for the outside
• Needle, thread, sewing essentials (you can use a machine or easily hand stitch this one)
• Mircofilling or just scraps of fabric, whatever you have laying around
• An hour or less!

Ready??

Step 1

Trace and cut out a "fat" oval onto your felt or heavy fabric

Step 2

Use the first oval to trace an cut out a second over slightly bigger than the first. I made mine about a 1/4 inch bigger all the way around.

Step 3

Draw and cut out 2 little arms, 2 legs, 2 circles the same size for the head and a tail.

Step 4

Use a button or small circle to cut 15 or so circles or square or whatever shapes you like to decorate your turtle shell.

Step 5

Sew the circles onto the larger of the two ovals.

Or... since you won't be washing this

(shhhhh don't tell anyone I'm going to say this, but...)

just glue those puppies on there!

Step 6

Sew the two head circles together and stuff with scrap pieces of fabric or stuffing. Attach the arms, legs, tail and head to the smaller of the ovals. I say "attach" because you could sew or glue :)

Step 6.5 (optional)

To throw in a little extra flair, sew a gathering stitch around the larger of the ovals to make a slight ruffle on the top shell.

Step 7

Starting at the tail of the smaller oval (which will be the bottom) sew on the larger oval (shell) going in one direction and stopping at the head. Stop. Go back to the tail and sew in the opposite direction, so that the opening you leave for stuffing is at the head.

A little tip- Use chop sticks to poke the stuffing all the way to the back.

Step 8

Hand stitch the rest of the shell closed around the head.

He loves his new home!

And Sienna loooooves him...

Why do I have the feeling I'll be making stuffed turtle dolls soon??