Rabbit Report #11

Paws!

Like the rabbit feet, the rabbit paws were very easy to make. I actually think they were a bit easier. I modified the pattern a bit to make true paws. The original pattern has thumbs; rabbits do not have opposable thumbs nor do these rabbits need them for their parts.

As with the feet, some of the paw construction is done while the piece is still flat. To accomplish this, the seam around the hand is partially stitched and then pressed open. The casing at the wrist is then made while the piece is flat. This so much easier than trying to figure out how to make that casing once you already have the paw (or mitten sewn!). I do this often with sleeve hems and other things - I will go ahead and press the hems up, just unfolding them enough to sew the seam and then quickly pressing them back into place. It is just much easier to work with a flat item than something that has been already sewn into a narrow tube.

For the casing, the pattern instructions indicate to turn under 1" and then stitch 1/4" from the edge. This sounds like a lot for a casing for 1/2" wide elastic, but because of the thickness of the fur it works. This is a good opportunity to use the 1/4" presser foot, even with the fur, it was easy to line it up along the edge and stitch down the casing.

Note the lavender ribbon inside this paw - these are for Flopsy, who wears purple. Once the elastic is inserted the remainder of the seam around the hand is sewn and the paws are turned right side out. Done!


I spent a good part of today judging and it took longer than I thought, but it all worked out just fine. Maybe tonight I can spend a few minutes working on the pad stitching for BB!

Parting Shot: Refashion. One of the dresses I made for my daughter last fall for school is already too short! Instead of adding length at the bottom , we decided to cut it off and make a tunic out of it. After trimming off 12" and adding a narrow hem, here's the result: