DIY Fabric Carrots Sewing Tutorial

Here it is almost Easter time and what a great time to get out your sweater stash and make SWEATER carrots. Yep, fabric CARROTS! What can’t you make out of upcycled sweaters? Now if you are short on ORANGE SWEATERS or don’t have any felted orange sweaters, these work up great with orange fleece, and orange knits as well.

 

These make really fun Easter gifts and party favors. Carrots NOT recommended for baby toys! 

Cute to display with a SWEATER BUNNY! Bunny & Bear pattern located in my shop.

Fabric carrots items needed:

  • Orange fabric (felted sweaters, fleece, or knit) If using felted sweaters, make sure they are not too thick and have a little stretch.
  • Scissors
  • Pins
  • Carrot pattern template (download here)

 

Fold the fabric over in a diagonal shape and place the pattern edge on the fold where indicated. Cut out.

Place Right Sides Together (RST) and sew the side seam with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Turn inside out and poke the tip of the carrot out with some kind of point tool, being careful not to poke through the fabric.

To make the fabric carrot greens: Using the pattern template, cut out 3-4 leaf squares. Using a zigzag stitch, sew the wire onto the middle of the leaf. (template will show how far down to place the wire).

 

Cut little slits in the leaf all around the side and top of square. Round off the top corners with your scissors. Fluff the leaf. Repeat to make however many stems you want.

 

Start filling the carrot with stuffing, a little amount at a time. Using something to push it down. I find the pokey tool just slips through the stuffing and doesn’t push it down. (I found that using the tip of my scissors works well)

 

Continue to fill the sweater carrot with stuffing until it is full.

 

Double thread a LONG needle with either orange, brown, or green thread. (I like to use either brown or green to give the dimples in the carrot some contrast). Your preference.

 

Start stitching so the knot is on the INSIDE. Take basting stitches all the way around the top of the carrot.

 

End stitching with the thread on the OUTSIDE. Do not KNOT the thread yet.

Take the stems and stick them down the center of the carrot into the stuffing, to the length that you want them.

 

Now pull the stitching to gather the top of the carrot. Stuff the fabric seam allowance down into the carrot as you put the thread. Now stitch another row or two around the carrot to close the top tightly around the stems.

Take a little stitch where the thread comes out and knot.

(To make a knot, take a small stitch and pull the thread to make a little loop, then wrap the thread around the needle a few times and gently pull to create a knot. Stick the needle back into the carrot right where the knot is and pull out where you want to make the first dimple.

To make little dimples in the sweater carrot: pull the needle out where you want the dimple to start and take a big stitch (these stitches can be small or even wrap all the way around the carrot).

These dimples give the carrot charter and shape. I like to take two stitches in the same place to reinforce the stitch and give it more shape.

Stick the needle down into where you want another dimple to be. Add as many as you want.

 

Knot the thread again. Now stick the needle back in where the thread comes out. Poke out somewhere and clip thread.

Ta dah! 

Aren’t they cute little fellas?

 

The pattern template comes with two different sizes. Make up a bunch of sizes and some with different shades of orange.

 

BUNNY STICKERS shown above on the tag, are available in my Etsy shop.

 

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Jan Howell

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

Read More

5 DIY Easter Projects

I know there is ONLY one week until Easter, but perhaps you will have some time this week to set aside and make a little something fun for the holiday. Here are 5 DIY Easter projects to consider.

Easter crafts

source: Mommypotomus.com

Natural Easter Egg Dye

Don’t you just love the rich vibrant colors of these eggs? The most exciting part is that they are dyed with natural stuff, items you most likely have in your kitchen. Beets, onions, turmeric, hibiscus, and purple cabbage with a little vinegar.

It will take a little time to make each color, 15 minutes to an hour, but worth the time if you want to go “natural”. I have not yet tried this, but plan on inviting my kids over and assigning each one of them a color to make and bring to our “Colored Easter Egg” get-together. I will let you know how it goes.

 

Easter crafts

Upcycled Sweater Bunny

This little guy is so fun to make using upcycled sweaters or t-shirts.

Click on the photo to get the link for the pattern.

Easter crafts

I remember making these eggs in school. A fun little project using a little cornstarch, string and a balloon as the mold.

Click on the photo above for the full scoop.

Easter crafts

Paint Chip Garland

I love recycling things, and for some reason, I am drawn to paint sample chips. Who knew you could make something so fun with paint chips?

Get the full scoop HERE.

Easter crafts

Soft Sculpture Carrots

Last, but not least, is my favorite holiday decoration…….soft sculptured carrots. I know I have posted on these before, but just a little reminder of a fun, quick and charming craft to whip up.

These little guys are fun to

  • Give as gifts
  • Glue a magnet on the back of one and place it on your fridge for some bright cheery color
  • Attach a string and a name tag for place settings at your Easter dinner

Here is the link for the FREE pattern and tutorial.

Well, I hope these Easter projects get you into the spring and Easter mood. Have a good one!

Jan Howell

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

Read More