Pictures of Johann...

I'm sorry about the lighting! I was using a different camera and couldn't get it to work.

Johann the Turtle

I'll include a picture soon!!!

Materials List:

One yard of fabric (any style of your choice)

Thread to match:

-          Main fabric

-          Lighter or corresponding color for embroidery

Batting/ Stuffing for the body of the turtle

Eye and facial decorations

Appliqué fusing

-          The pattern pieces for this project’s head, tail and body are included in the sewing book “One Yard Wonder”. For this particular project though, the fins have been altered. Instead, they were made by cutting and sewing two pieces of fabric together  that were cut in the shape of half (lengthwise) a crescent moon. If you choose to make these legs, simply make them proportional to your turtle’s body.

1.       Step one- Pin the pattern pieces to the piece of fabric as directed by that pattern piece. Cut out the fabric around the pattern as instructed by the pattern piece. These should include:

a.       The Tail

b.      4 fins

c.       Top and bottom shell

d.      The head

2.       Place the cut pattern pieces aside

3.       With the remaining fabric cut out shapes of your choice. Examples are, but not limited to, circles, triangles and squares. These will eventually be appliqued to the top shell. Make sure that you have enough to cover the top of the shell, even with the pieces being overlapped.

4.       Take the shaped pieces and appliqué (Instructions of appliqué are found on the fusing that is used for this) them to the top of the shell, overlapping pieces and covering the top of the shell. Once, you have fused them to the top; sew around the edges of the appliqued pieces. Feel free to use whatever type of stitch design that you would like (I used a zig zag)

5.       Using an embroidery machine- embroider words along the top of the shell as desired. These words can be related, favorite things, etc. (This step is optional)

6.       With wrong sides together pin the top and the bottom sides of the fins, head and tail (separately) together.

7.       Using a ¼ of an inch seam allowance, sew along the edges of the top and the bottom shell. Turn inside out and place aside when finished.

8.       Fill each sewn part with stuffing. Make sure that they are fuller than you want, so that the when the fluff settles it will be the right size.

9.        With wrong sides together pin the top and the bottom sides of the shell together (they are not the same size, so make sure that the outsides of the shells are the part that are pinned together). Before sewing it together, pin the limbs and head of the turtle onto the wrong side of the top shell (on the fins, all face with the curvature on the bottom on a turtle). When sewing, simply sew over these as well, making sure that all of the fabric is included when stitching. Make sure to leave a space between two of the legs to be able to turn them inside out.

10.   Once the stitching has been done, turn the turtle inside out, through the left over hole. Make sure to check that all the limbs are on right and completely sewn to the main body of the turtle.

11.   Stuff the main body of the turtle, making sure to fill it a little fuller than desired.

12.   Whipstitch the open part of the turtle together

13.   Trim all threads.

14.   Decorated the face of the turtle as desired, such as a smile and eyes. Examples include buttons as eyes, embroidery thread as the mouth, or fabric paint.