How to: Axolotl

Time for something silly and completely different!

An axolotl is a type of salamander (I always knew them as Mexican walking fish). They look kinda creepy but still somehow cute. You take a look at this site for more info on axolotls - www.axolotl.org

I had lots of pink felt left over from all those roses, so I decided to make a pink axolotl (a pink one would be more cute and less creepy).

The toughest bit of creating a new felty is making the template. The main challenges were to make a body and head that would not be flat and to make the wavy bits on its head. This post takes you through my journey through these steps.

Step 1: Making the body

This is the template for the axolotl's back. The cuts in the centre create a rounded head and back when the sides are sewn together.

Like this. I also sewed a strip of felt along the back to make a fin. Real axolotls have quite long legs, but I like little stumpy feet.

Trim the fin to shape and stitch on a smile. Sew on some beads for eyes.

Step 2: Making the wavy bits

Cut out 2 three-pronged shapes in a lighter colour and a darker colour (darker colour a bit bigger than the lighter colour) and stitch them onto the axolotl's head.

Stitch the light wavy bits to the dark wavy bits. I've snipped the edges of the dark felt so it looks fuzzy. But I don't think it looks fuzzy enough. Next time I would just stitch some fuzzy yarn to the edges of the wavy bits.

Wavy bits complete!

Step 3: Stuffing and finishing

Cut out a salamander shape for the belly of the axolotl and stitch it to the back. It was a bit tricky to get the belly piece the right shape, so I cut the belly shape a little bigger than required, then trimmed it as I sewed.

Leave one side open for stuffing. Once stuffed, stitch the side closed.

 

Squishy axolotl pet complete!

Yarraville Festival

So how did the stall at Yarraville Festival go anyway?

Well, turns out the council wasn't happy for us to have a little table out the front of my uncle's shop without a permit, so we moved our table indoors.

I got some lovely compliments from festival goers, but unfortunately not many people actually ventured into the shop to take a closer look. Nevermind! I had a lovely time being at the festival and it was really nice to see how many people liked my felties.

Thanks to Jennie and my fiance and family for turning up to show their support! Next time I'll set up a proper stall and hopefully we'll have a little more business :)

How to: Bunnies

My lovely cousin Jennie suggested that we sell my felties outside her dad's shop at Yarraville Festival. A few bunnies found new homes last year, so it was time to stock up!

In the middle of sewing, I realised I've never put up a bunny tutorial. Unfortunately I was already quite a few steps ahead before I remembered to take photos, but I think you can figure out how to do it from the pictures, the bunny templates aren't too complex.

How to make a bunny:

 

1. Cut out felt shapes:
- 2x coloured bunny shapes (one with a heart shape cut out in the belly)
- 3x white circles (2 for eyes and 1 for tail)
- 2x small black circles for eyeballs
- 1x small heart
- 1x square of patterned fabric

The eyes and tail are sewn on to the bunny's front and back respectively. Then stitch a little smile. The bunnies could also have a nose added, but I think they look cute without noses.

 2. Pin the patterned fabric behind the bunny's belly heart hole and sew around the hole to attach.

3. Stitch the small felt heart on the bunny's chest.

4. Stitch together the front and back. Leave one side open for stuffing, then seal up the bunny.

Yay! New bunnies! So many bunnies!