Let Sue help you welcome spring. This "rag" wreath is made from fabric scraps, buttons and a wire ring. It is a cheerful project that I completed in a few hours. To make this wreath you'll need:
Print the pattern templates to make the pieces: Click here for the pattern for Sue's Body Click here for the pattern for the bonnet Click here for the pattern for the dress
Sew Sue's Body: Since this is just a wreath, I didn't bother to make legs for Sue. Her body will look like this when done.
Trace the pattern onto a piece of muslin, making sure to put the edge marked FOLD on the fold of the fabric. Cut out adding a seam allowance. The drawn line is the sewing line! Repeat, to make two muslin cutouts. Put the muslin pieces together and sew along the drawn line leaving the bottom edge open for turning and stuffing. Turn right-side out and stuff. Once stuffed, fold under bottom edges and sew them together.. Sew Sue's Bonnet Cut out two brims from your bonnet fabric. The bonnet brim can be a contrasting fabric if desired. Cut out interfacing using the bonnet brim template (if desired). If you don't use the interfacing, the bonnet brim will be floppy which is also cute. Place the brims right sides together. Put the interfacing on top of this. Sew around the brim with a 1/4" seam allowance leaving the straight edge unsewn. Turn the brim right side out and press. On the bonnet body, hem the circular edges all the way around to the straight edge. Sew a gathering stitch along the straight edge. Gather this to approximately 4 inches. Pin the bonnet brim to the bonnet (right sides together), adjusting the gathers until the brim and bonnet match. Sew together. The bonnet doesn't look link a bonnet yet, but once we tack it onto Sue's head it will take shape. Put the bonnet aside. Sew Sue's Dress and Apron Dress The template provided for Sue's dress is not to scale. Use it as a guide for cutting out Sue's dress. Cut a piece of paper 10 1/2 x 9 (freezer paper works for this) and layout the dress on it. The sleeves are 2 1/2". Use the template as a guide. To cut out the dress, I took fabric 10 1/2" wide x 18" long. I folded this in half so it measured 10 1/2 " x 9 ". On this I put the dress pattern with the sleeves and neck section along the fold. Cut it out on the line (seam allowance included). Put the fabric right sides together and sew down the side seams including the bottom of the arm. Turn right side out and hem the bottom. Using a seam ripper, rip a hole in for neck just big enough for Sue's head to get through. I cut mine really small and worked her head through it. Fold under the ends of the sleeves and gather and hem with the same stitch, sewing the sleeves into Sue's arms so "hands" are sticking out. Sew three buttons down the front of the dress, sewing into the body to secure the dress. Apron Cut a piece of fabric7" x 10" for the apron front. Hem 3 sides of the apron, leaving one of the 10" edges raw. Sew a gathering stitch along this edge and gather to approximately 4 inches. Cut a piece of fabric 1" x 18" for the apron string. Place this right sides together against the apron, centering it on the front, aligning the raw edges. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew the apron to the strip. With an iron, fold under and press 1/4" in on each side of the strip, then fold it together, collecting the raw edge of the gathers in the fold. Sew down the strip from end to end. Cut the ends in a diagonal point. On the front of the apron, sew some buttons. On the bottom of the buttons, embroidery a stem and some leaves with a simple "lazy-daisy" stitch. Tightly, tie the apron around Sue's waist. To tack the bonnet onto Sue's head, place the brim in place. Tack it to her head at the bottom of the brim on each side. Take a gathering stitch in the back of the bonnet and take in the fullness, tacking it to Sue's head as you go along.
Put it all together: Lay Sue face down with the wire ring on her back. Using coarse thread, sew the wreath to Sue, pulling her arms upward to cover the wreath.
Cut your spring fabric into 2" x 7" pieces. If you have pinking sissors, it would look nice too. Tie them onto the wreath as desired. You can tightly pack them or spread them out. I used 18 pieces of fabric on my wreath. Some of the wire shows. Hang sue up and wait for spring to come! ENJOY! Kim Bunchuck |
