Soft Easter bunnies
This sweet pair of bunnies is a great beginner sewing project. They’re brilliant to use as home décor, or to give as gifts.
These bunnies don’t use much fabric, which means they’re a great way to use up fabric scraps or those fat quarters you just couldn’t resist buying!
You can cut the fabric for your bunnies on your ScanNCut machine, or print the patterns out and cut by hand. We’ve provided the patterns for both.
Materials
Standing up bunny
- 1 x 12” (30cm) square of fabric
- One 6 x 20cm strip of soft white or cream fabric (lawn or voile works best)
- Toy stuffing
- 2 x buttons
- Hand embroidery thread
- Ribbon – 30cm
Sitting down bunny
- 2 x 12” (30cm) squares of fabric
- Toy stuffing
- 2 x buttons for eyes
- Ribbon – 30cm
Carrots
- 1 x 12” (30cm) square orange fabric
- 1 x 12” (30cm) square green fabric
- Decorative thread – we used Gutermann Cotton 30 and Madeira Catona variegated quilting thread
- Toy stuffing
Equipment
- ScanNCut DX machine, fabric mat and rotary blade (if using your ScanNCut to cut your fabric pieces)
- ScanNCut penholder and blue water-soluble pen tip
Or
- Printer
- Sewing machine
- Pinking shears
ScanNCut cutting files: download here
Printer cutting patterns: download here
How to - bunnies
Step 1
Download the relevant cutting patterns (ScanNCut or Printer) using the blue buttons above.If using your ScanNCut to cut the fabric: transfer the bunny cutting pattern and save on your machine.
If you’ re using scissors to cut your fabric, download the PDF patterns and cut out.
Step 2 – ScanNCut
Standing up bunny – cut one sheet with fabric facing right side up. Sitting down bunny – cut one each of sitting down bunny and sitting down bunny reverse – both with fabric facing right side up.
Step 2 – scissors
For both bunnies: place two layers of fabric with wrong sides facing, lay pattern on top and cut once.
Step 3
With wrong sides facing, align all edges and pin. Sew straight stitch all around with a ¼” (7mm) allowance, leaving a 5cm opening at the bottom. Step 4
Trim all around with pinking shears – nip only just into the seam allowance. Be careful not to cut too deep or into your stitches!Step 5
Stuff the bunny – medium firmness is best. If you stuff too firm, the bunny will distort.
Step 6
Push the stuffing away from the opening, match up the edges, pin and sew opening closed with a straight stitch just as you have done all around.
Step 7
Sitting down bunnyWith hand sewing needle and matching thread add buttons for eyes. Make a double stitch on the indicated spot.
Thread the first button on and push the needle all the way through to the other side of the bunny. Thread the second button on and return the needle through the bunny to the other side, bringing it out through one of the holes of the button.
Keep sewing through both buttons and the bunny – about five times is a good amount. Wind the thread around one of the buttons three times. Finish with a double stitch hidden under one of the buttons. Make sure it is secured well. Snip the thread.
Standing up bunny
Make the tail by folding the strip of white fabric double lengthways, lining up the raw edges. Sew a line of gathering stitches along the folded edge – 7mm from the edge.
Snip into the raw edges side. Cut at right angles to the edge, up to 5mm from the stitching. Space the snips about 5mm apart. Snip all along the strip.
Gather by carefully pulling up the gathering stitches. Roll up from one side to form a rosette. Using a hand sewing needle and sewing thread, oversew across the gathered edge to keep it together. Then sew through all layers, just through the folds, from one side to the other. Repeat a few times at different angles.
Slip stitch the tail to the bunny and sew all around the tail. Fluff it up when done.
Tip: instead of using buttons, you could embroider the eyes and nose with embroidery thread.
Step 8
Tie a ribbon around the neck. And give it a cuddle!How to - carrots
Step 1 – ScanNCut
Adhere your fabric to the fabric mat with right side facing up. Insert the blue water-soluble pen tip in the pen holder and select ‘Draw’. Press start. The markings for decorative stitching will be drawn.Switch to the rotary blade and cut the pieces out. Repeat for carrot leaves.
Step 1 – scissors
Download the PDF patterns and cut out.
Step 2
Using a slightly contrasting and heavier thread, sew straight stitch or top stitching stitch on the decorative lines. On the carrot pieces, sew through single layers. For the leaves, place two pieces with wrong sides facing and sew through both layers.
Remember to wind decorative thread on the bobbin too!
Step 3
Lay a carrot piece with wrong side facing up. Fold the carrot leaves lengthways, and pin two sets to the top of the carrot piece. Make sure the bottom points are placed inside the seam allowance, so they will be sewn in when you sew around. Place the second carrot piece over, right side facing up, match the edges and pin in place. Sew all the way around with a straight stitch, leaving a 3cm opening in one side.
