Easter Bunny Embroidery Hoop Tutorial

Easter is only a week away, and I'm on an applique kick! Today I'm sharing a tutorial for a cute, simple, and quick Easter bunny embroidery hoop...

This project uses fabric scraps and can be put together so quickly that you definitely can find time to get this done before this weekend.

This hoop was inspired by some cookies I found on Etsy. You never know where inspiration will come from :) Ready to put one together? Here's the how-to...

Materials:

• background fabric (approximately 11" square)
• scraps for bunny (I used gray and pink.)
• fusible web (I used Heat n Bond Lite.)
• 7" embroidery hoop
• fabric paint or embroidery floss for eyes
• iron
• glue gun
• thread

Instructions:

Step 1: Print out this template at 100% (no scaling, do not "fit to page")...


Step 2: Following the manufacturer's directions, apply fusible web to the back of all of your fabric scraps that you are going to use for the bunny pieces.

Using the template from Step 1, cut out the ears*, inner ears*, head, and nose from your fusible web backed fabric scraps. *Important: add about ¼" to the bottom of each ear and inner ear. This is so you can overlap the bottom edge of the ears with the head piece.

Step 3: Place your background fabric right side up. Lay your embroidery hoop in the center of your background fabric. Remove the fusible web paper from the back of each of your bunny pieces and arrange the pieces inside the embroidery hoop.

Once you have them arranged to your liking, start pressing each piece in place, following the manufacturer's directions. Start with the ears, then the inner ears.

Next, overlap the head over the bottom edge of the ears. I placed my embroidery hoop back on top to see exactly where I wanted to press the head in place.

Then press the nose in place.

Step 4: Time to sew around the edges of each piece. I used Maureen's technique for my applique – a straight stitch, using black thread, that leaves the edges raw – but you could use a zigzag or satin stitch with coordinating thread, depending on what look you prefer.

Step 5: Time to add your bunny's eyes. Again, this one is up to your personal preference. You can embroider the eyes, or I painted mine on with fabric paint (because my embroidered circles never quite turn out to be circles).

Step 6: Almost done. Stretch your completed bunny square inside of your embroidery hoop. Make sure to align the bottom of the bunny's head with the bottom curve of the hoop. Trim the excess fabric to 3/4" from the edges of the back of the embroidery hoop. Use your glue gun to glue the edges of the fabric to the inside of the back of the hoop. Cover the back with felt if desired.

And you're done!

So glad I was able to squeeze this project in before Easter. If you find time to make one, add a picture to the Gwenny Penny Flickr group. I'd love to see it!



I'm linking up: