At last I've done it, so sorry for the delay!!
Okay, so this is what 'I' did to make my little 'chinchilla' bunny as the older two have nick named the green spotty one.
Please can I apologies in advance if my instructions seem all 'gobbledegook' giving direction is not one of my stronger points. This is also only a guide on how I made one and if you have a better or easier way or idea on how to do it then please feel free, my sewing skills probably seem all back to front to anyone that is trained.
Firstly I drew an 'arch' template on some plain paper for the body. Then on a folded piece of paper drew the outline of half an ear and cut this out so when unfolded I had a whole ear.
When you are happy with your design and sizing 'cut out' or use mine as a template.
{Template of ear and body}
You will need four ears and two body parts and either cut them out of the same material or mix and match like I have.
Cut out two body parts...
...and four ears.
Pin 'right sides' together two of the cut out ears, you can pinch and tack one side or both if you are happy and confident to do that, it doesn't matter if you don't it just adds a bit of detail.
{Right sides together}
{Pinch and pin 'or' tack}
Now stitch the round the ears leaving the bottom unstitched in able to turn them out and remember that the 'right sides' should be together. Turn out the right way, they should look like this ::
I still have my pins in the ears for a 'pinched' look.
I've added some embroidery floss in a running stitch around the outside to hold the pleats in place and to enhance the ears, but you don't have to do this be as individual as you choose. My bottom stitches will be hidden when I attach the ears to the body.
To attach the ears to the body place them on one of the cut out body pieces facing down and pin in place. This will make sense when it comes to turning the body out after stitching.
Place the other cut out body piece on top and pin remembering 'right sides' should always be together, don't worry about the ears I promise it will all make sense.
Stitch round three sides leaving the bottom unstitched for stuffing and embellishments.
Now turn out or 'bag out' your bunny, it should look something like this ::
See the ears should now be attached and pointing up and outwards - I hope!!
Now this is where I decorate my bunny. I do it at this stage purely because it means I can make sure everything is in line and centered with no off set eyes or nose or whiskers etc... if you catch my drift??
You can do all this before you sew the body up, but for me I feel it just makes it more bulky to manoeuvre when sewing all pieces together, though it does make it awkward to bring it all together by leaving it to this point.
Anyway, I cut out a rectangle and folded it in half and hand stitched onto the front for an apron 'or' bib.
Then buttons for eyes and free style whiskers and nose, but you can do any design you like.
Another button for a tail, but again it could be a pom pom or a little ball of some kind maybe even a bell?
Then when you are happy with the look of your bunny, stuff her 'or' him with whatever you have to hand, I used fibre filling. Sew up the bottom and hey presto a bunny!!
And failing that you can always cheat and find your local 'GreenGate' stockist and buy one of these fellow's like I did when we went down to Haslemere (Surrey) in my absolute all time favorite shop 'HollyPark'
They have little pockets at the front to pop a tiny chocolate egg in, how cool is that??
Though I hope you'll have more fun making!!
Anyone for a chocolate egg?
