Sew a Softie 2018

Hi there everyone!  Today is our turn to contribute to Sew a Softie 2018.  I've been playing around with the idea to create softies native to our country.  So here, hopefully the first of many, is the King of the Bushveld, the Lion.

The lion on our continent is the most majestic, dangerous, and absolute beautiful animal.  Lions are found in the Bushveld, a dry, Savannah part of our country.  The female lion is a lioness and babies are called cubs.

Lets get started on our softie.

Any brown felt will do.  A variety of colors will give your softie more depth.

Cut out the pattern pieces.  Stick them on hard cardboard - it is easier to work with and your pieces with last longer.

Click here for the pattern.

Cut 2 bodies, 9 mane hair pieces, 1 chest piece, 2 tail pieces.

Pin the mane hair pieces to one body part and pin the chest piece to the other body part.

Start sewing the chest piece to the first body part.  I used embroidery thread and running stitch.

Mark a small triangle for the nose and fill in with embroidery thread.  I used a small piece of 'stitch and tear' at the back of where I sew the nose.  It makes the felt a bit stronger and makes sewing the nose easier as the fabric is sturdier.

I filled the nose in the longer stitches.

You can insert the eyes at this point if you are using safety eyes.   It depends what kind of eyes you are going to use.  I couldn't make up mind on which eyes to use.   At the end I used clear glass eyes, which I sewed in after stuffing the head.

Pin the 2 body pieces together and sew them together.  Leave a 'leave open' space between the legs.  I used running stitch, but you could use blanket stitch as well.

Sew feet detail in as you sew around the feet.  Remember to leave open between the legs.

Stuff the body with poly puffs.

Sew the tail pieces together, leaving an opening at the bottom and stuff lightly. Close the opening.  I sewed the tail on the body with a button.  (I like buttons).

Well done!  You have made a King of the Bushveld.

Remember to post you pictures and share with #sewasoftie