https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/elephants-on-parade • Posted by Fox Chapel Publishing
Who doesn’t adore elephants, particularly those floppy, big-footed babies? Inspired by the beautifully decorated elephants that take part in Indian festivals, this cute pair is really simple to make. Once you’ve embroidered them, just sew around them, turn them and get stuffing. I’ve made a mother and baby to start, but you could easily whip up a whole herd. Stitches used Straight stitch, running stitch, chain stitch, lazy daisy stitch, scallop stitch, French knot
Who doesn’t adore elephants, particularly those floppy, big-footed babies? Inspired by the beautifully decorated elephants that take part in Indian festivals, this cute pair is really simple to make. Once you’ve embroidered them, just sew around them, turn them and get stuffing. I’ve made a mother and baby to start, but you could easily whip up a whole herd. Stitches used Straight stitch, running stitch, chain stitch, lazy daisy stitch, scallop stitch, French knot
Get stitching... First transfer the elephant patterns onto your fabric.
For the mother elephant, outline the elephant in chain stitch using three strands of dark grey embroidery thread. Using the same thread, work the ear in running stitch.
For the flower petals, make 6 lazy daisy stitches using six strands of mauve embroidery thread. Make a French knot for the flower centre using six strands of orange embroidery thread.
For the toenails, work three scallop stitches using three strands of dusky pink embroidery thread.
Make a French knot for the centre of the eye using three strands of royal blue embroidery thread. Work seven straight stitches around the eye centre using three strands of leaf green embroidery thread.
For the baby elephant, work exactly as the mother elephant but use pale blue thread for the body and ear, red for the flower petals and yellow for the flower centre.
Trim around both your elephant embroideries leaving a few centimetres (an inch or so) of fabric all the way round.
Place each embroidery face down on a second piece of fabric that is roughly the same size. Using matching thread, sew around the elephants about 5–7 mm (1⁄4 in) from the edge of the chain stitched outline, leaving a gap between the legs for turning. You can use a sewing machine for this or sew by hand.
Turn the elephants the right way out through the gap and press lightly using the iron. To get the seam to lie nicely round the edge of the elephant, try rolling it gently between your dampened thumb and forefinger before you press it.
Stuff the elephant lightly then sew the gap closed. Stitch it! This design is perfect on a baby sleepsuit, on a small tote bag or on a cushion for a playroom – you could decorate the cushion with colourful braids or a pom-pom trim.