In Felt Tutorial, Sewing Tutorial

We’ve got bunnies! Super lux cashmere bunnies…mmm! I’ve acquired a lot of scraps from making recycled cashmere scarves last holiday. I’ve been trying to come up with a project that is scrap worthy. These are the perfect snuggle bunnies for the job.

Materials:

  • Cashmere sweater
  • Scrap of cotton print fabric
  • Fiberfill
  • Needle felting supplies (optional)
  • Buttons, pompom, felt ball, etc.

**PLEASE NOTE: for kids under 3 years old, do not attach buttons, felt balls, etc. Embroider or needle felt all embellishment. It’s safer and just as cute!

I find second hand cashmere sweaters at Goodwill. Here’s a tip: If you have trouble finding them on the sweater rack, look in the blouse/long sleeve shirt area. Wash in hot water and dry in the dryer. They won’t felt, but they will shrink and get a little thicker and fuzzier.

1) Cut a bunny shape out of scrap paper and pin to 2 layers of sweater. I’m using contrast colors with right sides together so I get both sides of the bunny. (make your own bunny shape by tracing a cookie cutter and enlarging. Or you can use mine) Cut 2 ears out of sweater fabirc and 2 ears out of a print lining.

2) Place ear and lining right sides together, pin. Stitch around perimeter (leaving bottom open) with 1/8″ seam allowance.

3) Turn right side out and press.

4) Now it’s time for a little needle felting embellishment on the bunny body. I use the Clover tools, which I did a tutorial on a while ago. First lay out some roving on the mat, crossing the direction of the fibers.

5) Once you get a nice little matted piece of felt, carefully remove from the mat. Using a pattern, cut out a heart shape for each side of the bunny. (save the scraps!)

6) Next place one side of the bunny, right side up, on the mat. Needle felt the shape into place. To keep the edge of the shape defined, I like to outline it with yarn, also needle felted into place. (It might help to use a single felting needle for this, but be sure to transfer work to a foam mat. Do not use a single needle on the Clover mat.)

7) Carefully remove work from mat taking care not to stretch and distort the shape. Steam the back of the work to help set the fibers. Repeat needle felting steps for the other side of the bunny.

8) Now it’s time to assemble! Fold a tuck into the bottom of the ears and pin onto one side of the bunny head.

9) Place the other side of the bunny on top, right sides together, sandwiching the ears between layers. Pin and stitch around perimeter of bunny, leaving a 2″ opening to turn work.

10) Turn work right side out and stuff with fiberfill. No, that little puff is not the tail! :) Hand baste the opening closed, then attach a tail. I used a pompom I made out of yarn for this one and a felt ball tail on the orange bunny. Sew on some button eyes and you’re done!

Oh my goodness, they’re multiplying.

So soft and sweet! (This photo shows the other sides.)

For needle felting supplies (roving, Clover tools, felt balls) I recommend the nice folks at ornamentea. Have fun and let me know if you make some bunnies!

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Showing 113 comments
  • blop

    Those bunnies are adorable. I have to get to Goodwill now!! Great toot, too!

  • lori marie

    super sweet bun buns!

    love em:)
    smiles

  • DIANA

    Thank you so much!!!I am from Italy and i am not the only one who loves your works!!!this tutorial is very nice and it will be simple to do for me..thank you and i hope you will do a book about your works!!have a nice day and bless you!!

  • DIANA

    Can i have your permission to talk about this tutorial on my blog?thank you very much for answering me at dianaquilts.blogspot.com
    ciao from Italy..

  • Claire

    So cute! Love the felted hearts on them.

  • kim

    ADORABLE!!! Thanks so much for sharing your talent with all of us! Happy weekend~

  • Kirsten

    These bunnies are so cute – thanks for posting the tutorial! I can’t wait to try it out.

  • DIANA

    Dear Betz,i posted on my blog with your permission about you..thanks again!

  • Julie

    Totally *love* these! I posted about them at whip up!

  • kristina

    Those bunnies are beautiful, Betz! Love them! :)

  • Carochinha

    Lovely!

  • ana

    thanks for share they are lovelly

  • ArtsyMama

    Thanks so much for this. They’re gorgeous. Definitely going to give these a try:)

  • evashouse

    One hundred thanks¨! I’ll try to do it with my children.A great, great tutorial, thanks ;)

  • Isobel

    Once again, you are amazing. I have a few cashmeres that really need to be felted – to old to wear out but still wear in – now I won’t have to totally part with them.

  • Jodi

    Oh my goodness, those bunnies are some of the cutest things I have ever seen. Thanks so much for sharing with us!

  • Lisa K.

    Wow, Betz. Thank you for the little bunny tutorial. They look like candy!

  • LeeAnn

    This is wonderful! I have a few thrifting cashmere sweaters in my stash I’ll have to turn into bunnies!

  • gray la gran

    what cute bunnies :)
    i’ve never found cashmere at my local thrift stores, but maybe i was looking on the wrong racks.
    ornamentea is local for me … not even 2 miles away.

  • mary richmond

    these are so cute!!! i must make some tonight…..thanks for the inspiration! and i love that they’re made from cashmere….

  • Emma

    Hi!

    I saw this over on Whip Up and it’s just too cute, I will have to try it. Thanks so much for sharing the tutorial :)

  • Dawn

    These snuggle bunnies are just the sweetest!!
    Thanks for posting the tut…

  • msubulldog

    I came over from Whip Up, too. These are totally adorable! :)

  • Rid

    Hola!
    Those bunnies are so cute! I like very much your work, you are brilliant!
    I would like to link this tutorial from my blog. Is it possible?Thank you. Have a nice weekend!

  • Darlene - Dazed Quilter

    Those bunnies are beyond cute! I love bunnies and have collected them over the years. I’m thinking about making one or two!

    Thanks for sharing your talent.

  • aliciaderosa

    So cute!! I´ll try make one form my baby!!

  • Thien-Kim

    Those are adorable! I saw your bird change purses in Adorn Magazine today! I was proud to point them out to my sister and say, “I know her! I read her blog.”

  • Jill

    Those bunny are sooo cute! (you should send to the Martha show, they’d probably have you back!)

    I’ve never worked with recycled sweaters but your work sure makes me want to try!

    You are fabulous for sharing this adorable pattern!

  • Tangerine Dreams

    So sweet! THank you for the great tutorial. We need more spring here!

  • minuit citrouille

    I love your rabbits! they’re so lovely!

  • ratichoo

    Thanks so much for such a cute tutorial! I’ll be making some of these pretty soon!

  • cruststation

    Oh Betz, your tutorials are always so clear, concise and wonderful. The bunnies are perfect for Easter, cute!

  • Morgan

    Gads I’m so completely loving these!!! I have never done any felting but am so interested… thanks for the lovely tutorial!

    xoxo

  • Morgan

    GADS I love these!! Have never done any felting but am so intrigued! Thanks for the adorable tutorial!

    xoxo

  • love.boxes

    These are darling!

  • jen

    Oh my gosh, that is so cute! I will definately try that out on my scraps.

    And I have added your book to my wishlist on amazon :)

  • Denise

    Way cute bunnies ! Thanks for the tutorial !

  • losabia

    Hi, Betz! I lucked out a thrift store this week and picked up an embarassing number of cashmere sweaters. I tried your tutorial this afternoon, and it was perfect! What a thorough writer you are. Thank you for sharing.

    Here’s the result.

  • Jen

    Oh I love these so much! I hope it’s ok if i mention it on my blog – http://fripperee.wordpress.com let me know if you object and I’ll remove the link!
    kind regards
    Jen

  • Jeanne

    Thanks so much for this tutorial. I made three of these bunnies. Two for a birthday girl and then two for my girls who fell in love!

    I didn’t felt designs, but embroidered and appliqued. They can be seen on my blog. Let me know if this is a problem. Of course I will credit you:-)

  • Bejeweled

    What super cute bunnies! The felted hearts on them are just darling. Thank you for being so generous in making and sharing this wonderful tutorial!

  • suzanara

    oooh so cute! makes me want to get my needlefelting out, your bunnies are adorable

  • laurence59

    it’s so sweet !!!

  • Special K

    I made a felt bunny inspired by yours. Thanks for the inspiration! (There’s a pic of mine on my blog…)

  • Jodie

    Oh, I think I’m in love! What could be sweeter than a soft bunny?! Thanks for the tutorial.

  • Michal

    These bunnies are so cute! Thanks for sharing them!!

  • Claire

    They are multiplying …. their babies are in France now !!! Come and see !!

  • mira

    Oh my gosh these are just too sweet! Thanks for sharing.

  • Becky

    The bunny is way to cute! I tried my hand at making one. I used cream velvet and I can tell you that velvet was NOT a good choice. It looks “ok” but I could not stuff it as much as I wanted to because I was afraid I would burst the seams. I am going to make one out of wool. I have better luck with wool. Can I post a photo of my bunny with a link to your blog on my blog?

  • Betz White

    sure Becky! link away!

  • Star

    Oh my goodness!
    Your bunnies are adorable!
    I love the colors.
    I will have to try to make,thanks for the tutorial.

  • A Spoonful Of Sugar

    What lovely bunnies – wish I had found this tute before Easter – perhaps I will be super organised for next year.

  • Claudia

    Thank you so much for the tutorial.
    If you want to see, this is the link to my bunny: http://auxpetitsoiseaux.blogspot.com/2008/04/arwards-go-tothe-badger.html

  • jeanne winters

    VEEEERY cute!!!! I don’t even sew, but with your excellent instructions, I feel like I could attempt a sweet bunny of my own!

  • Liz

    I just found cashmere at my local thrift shop – for a quarter no less. I see a bunny in its future! Thanks for the pattern.

  • Brisbane marketing

    Great photos of very cute bunnies. I wonder if some potpourri in the filling would be a nice touch?

  • Nasza kochana ruderka.

    Hello!You are great.Your bunnys are so sweet and cute!I like this bunnys so much that i will try do one for my dauther if you will let me,of course.I`ll visit your blog every day.Best wishes.Ana

  • curls

    THANKS! i made one out of an old wool sweater that had been through the dryer a few times for my little girl for christmas. she loved it! “Hop, Hop, Hop!” Thanks for the tutorial. it was super quick – though i did applique a felt heart and stitched the eyes

  • Lindsay

    So cute and just in time for Easter! I did one up real quick and though it’s not the greatest I think my kids will enjoy it.

  • Amy

    these are cute, I may have to try to whip some up for our church kids.. thanks so much

  • Mathea

    This is the cutest tutorial, I am going to make some for my kid’s school teachers. I blogged about this as an Easter Project I love.

  • Liz

    Thanks so much for the cute pattern. I’ve got my first one made and three more to go. Did mine with a pink cashmere that didn’t quite felt as much as I’d like, and a brown/tan check that wouldn’t felt at all. So I added a bit of interfacing to stabilize both. Made the leg turns a bit trickier, so next time around I’ll try to find some light weight felt to work with. Thanks again!

  • :danielita:.

    Gracias por compartir este hermoso tutorial. Tengo ya hechos mis conejitos para regalar en estas pascuas. Aquí el link, (creo que tan mal no me han quedado)

    http://esimperfecto.blogspot.com/2009/04/mi-conejo-favorito.html

    Saludos!!!

  • Kelly

    I love these, it was hard to stop at making four! but they will make great easter presents, thankyou

  • APO (Bem-Trapilho)

    very nice! I might do this! :) thanks!!!
    Happy Easter!

  • skippinginthemeadow

    They are Beautiful :3
    So generous of you to share this gorgeousness.
    I am a bit late to make any for Easter, but bunnies are lovely anytime
    Many thanks
    xx
    sumea

  • Perrine

    Snazzle Craft (

  • coisasdanecca

    Muito lindo teu trabalho!
    Parabéns!
    Abraço,
    Necca

  • Anonymous

    OMG!
    it’s super cute!
    i think ima make one for my cousin that’s going to be born soon!
    i hope she likes it!
    thank you!
    ^-^

  • Hand-Me-Down Creativity

    these are super sweet and very easy! Thank you for the idea!

  • Hand-Me-Down Creativity

    do you mind if I mention this post in my blog? Thank you for your time!

  • Frau Sonnenschein

    hello,

    that is beautiful!very sweet your bany.
    i love your fabrik and the color.

    greatings from conny

  • Kelley Hart

    Did you stitch the bunny together by hand or machine? Can’t wait to make a few. I just felted a bunch of sweaters for this project! Thanks for the inspiration and great tutorial.

  • Betz White

    Hi Kelley,
    I sewed this on the machine but you could also sew it by hand.
    Have fun!
    Betz

  • So cute! I know some little ones for whom this project would be perfect.

  • catherine

    Thank you so much for these adorable creatures! I just finished making one for my daughter for Easter. I created a tail from some left over faux fur. So cute! i can’t wait to give her her new “hop hop”!

  • jaya pratheesh

    awwwwwwwwww they are so adorable. i’ve been looking for bunny patterns to gift my new baby niece, and i’m making this one with embroiderd eyes.. thanks for the pattern and tute!

  • Elizabeth

    Thanks for the super great and super easy tutorial. I was able to whip an adorable little bunny up for my daughter for Easter. I hope to make one for her friend tonight. I blogged about it here – http://heartfelthomemaking.blogspot.com/2010/04/wip-wednesday.html

  • Once Upon A Parent

    Oh my this is lovely. I plan to add it to a post I do every Friday on internet finds. I wish I had found this pre-Easter.

    Annie

    OnceUponAParent.Blogspot.com

  • That was vary cute bunny! I can’t wait to try it myself. Although, I might look for an alternative for the cashmere sweater – still can’t part with the one I have. Thank you for sharing that bunny craft. I loved it!

  • Sarah loves Cashmere

    They look so dainty and neat. Can you share more tips on recycling a cashmere. I’m a huge fan. Appreciate it.

  • Cashmere sweaters and me

    Lovely! Very lovey! I can even teach my 5-year old girl to do that. I love you concept with cashmere.

  • I love the feel of cashmere clothing. I am pregnant right now and I want to thank you for sharing this wonderful craft. I finally found something to do.

  • Stephanie

    Love it. So Cute!

  • Aanee @ Flower Delivery Dublin

    The bunnies are amazing, really adorable.
    Thanks for sharing

    Aanee xxx
    Flowers Dublin

  • Tom

    I love these bunnies, i have to print this out and get my wife to sow some ASAP

  • Albery

    aaawwww. so cute. I am going to teach my kids how to sow these. Thankyou so much for sharing these crafty tips. I am subscribing.

  • Tina

    hmm this will make a good sunday afternoon activity for me in front of the tv.

  • Stacked Stone

    Love the snuggle bunnies!

  • tim

    I like the love hearts on the bunnies

  • Joy

    lovely, will make a great little present for my niece

  • jackson

    I might do something like this for easter

  • Jennifer

    What a WONDERFUL tutorial. I whipped up three of these cuties this past weekend and have linked your blog and acknowledged your wonderful tutorial on my blog. I hope you’ll take a look at my blog to see how you’ve inspired me. http://thimblesbobbinspaperandink.blogspot.com/2011/03/peter-cottontail-and-basket-of-colorful.html

    Cheers!
    Jennifer

  • Anonymous

    Absolutely gorgeous i have been looking for a special bunny to make for my grandaughter who has just moved to Aussie as i am unable to give her easter eggs this year,so this will be lovely for her bedroom. A million thanks.

  • feelincrafty

    These look so cute and soft! I included these in my link love today.

  • MYPINKRAINBOW

    hi , these bunnies are absolutley beautiful , gosh i wish i had a cashmere sweater to cut up , but i am on the look out for a pink one at the thrift store , they are so sweet and i cant wait to make one , and i love those little cupcakes in the photo , do you have a diy on those ? they are so cute and sweet also , thanks for sharing this i appreciate it and wish you a pink rainbow day
    georgia

  • SewAud

    Thank you for the wonderful tutorial. I used it as one of my first creations for a Toy Society drop. No spare cashmere sweaters, but some fleece scraps worked fine. I linked to your blog from my flickr page to give you credit for the fun pattern. http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/
    Thanks again for sharing you talent.
    Audrey

  • wendy lazuras

    love your cashmere bunnies. I’m pretty into crafts but I don’t generally have time to do any of them at the moment.

    love your tips. think they might help me out long time.. x

  • Country Rabbit

    such a wonderful blog, found you via pinterest ;0)…great bunny tutorial ;0)

  • Marcia

    Hi,obrigada pelo passo a passo.
    Beijos

  • naturally crafted mama

    thanks so much for sharing this pattern! i just stitched up one for my boys and it came out so stinkin’ cute!
    http://www.naturallycraftedmama.com/2012/03/peter-woolentail.html

  • Giovanna

    Lovelly, vou fazer…. bjus Giovanna (www.giovannastewers.com.br)

  • Giovanna Stewers

    lovelly eu amei td isso e vou fazer agora mesmo, bjus

  • Shayla Sharp

    These are adorable–how do I get on the receiving list? LOL

  • Lyann

    What a great idea! I was about to throw away a scarf and found this!

  • Anabela Soares Silva

    Lovely bunnies! I’ll try to make one for my daughter!

  • Katrina

    Oooohh, so cute!
    Thanks for the cashmere bunny tutorial, I’ll try it soon.

  • Gaëlle Brial

    Thanks a lot for these cute bunnies. I’ve made several of them on my blog, and created a hen pattern, that can be also used. I just love them all. Bye !
    http://sewingpot.blogspot.fr/2013/03/paques-lapins-et-poules.html

  • tonna palmer

    hello,
    do you still have the pattern for these bunnies available?
    Thanks!

    • Betz White

      Hi Tonna,
      Yes! The link to the template should be working again now.
      Betz

  • Kristina

    Hi there,

    Thanks for the great tutorial! I’ve made some bunnies for easter and gave them to friends and Family, they all loved them. :) wish I could upload a picture on here… Thanks again ^^

  • Kristina again ;)

    Managed to upload some pics to flickr – maybe you’d like to have a look? :)

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

    • Betz White

      Very cute! Thanks for sharing!

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