Follow pattern directions and cut out dress pieces, substituting Acorn Pocket pattern for pocket pattern #6.
Follow pattern directions to sew the dress.
FOR ACORN POCKET:
Follow pattern directions for pocket sewing and placement.
FOR ACORN CAP:
Use a chalk or fabric marker to trace around the cap pattern on WS of fabric; stitch 2 pieces together along drawn lines, leaving an opening at the bottom for turning.
Trim fabric to 1/4" around stitching.
Clip corners and curves, turn RS out, press.
Slip stitch opening closed.
Pin cap over top edge of pocket, on the WS, tack cap to dress.
JOANN HACKS:
Using a chalk or fabric marker to draw sewing line onto fabric and sewing before cutting allows for more control and a smoother shape.
SQUIRREL TAIL
SUPPLIES & TOOLS:
Sewing Machine
Sewing Notions
Rotary Cutter & Cutting Board
Quilters Rule, 2'
Marking Pen or Tailors Chalk
Iron
Dye, Synthetic, Chocolate Brown
Pot for Dye Bath
Stir Stick
Gloves
Rag Towel
Interfacing
Dress Fabric, Knit Stretch, For Collar, Ears and Tail Straps
Faux Fur, White, Long Pile, 1yd
Poly-fil
Chopstick or Dowel
Hot Glue Gun/Glue Gun Sticks
Hair Pic
Headband
DIRECTIONS:
To find the downloadable patterns click on the "GET PATTERNS" tab above.
Cut fur for ears, collar and tail. Make dye bath. Read and follow dye manufacturer’s directions. Test a small swatch of fur in dye to determine timing for desired color saturation. Top of tail may be dyed lighter for an ombre effect. Place fur for ears and collar into dye bath. Hold tail fur WST by tops. Place lower 2/3 of tail, up to the top inside curve (where shoulder straps attach), into the dye bath. Stir occasionally. Let set for approximately 20 minutes. Push top section of tail into bath. Stir occasionally. Let set for 10 minutes. Remove and rinse. Place in dryer with rag towel. Dry at 5 minute intervals removing immediately when dry.
Cut all interfacing for tail straps. Shoulder straps, 2 @ 3"x 26", bottom loops for shoulder straps, 2 @ 1 1/4"x 5", high waist straps, 2 @ 1 1/4"x 16", collar straps, 2 @ 1 1/4"x 8". Fuse interfacing to WS of dress fabric. Cut fabric. Shoulder straps, press one short end in 1/2". Press long edges to center then folded edges to center. Sew close to both edges. Loops, fold both long edges to center then folded edges to center. Zig zag stitch down center of length. High waist straps and collar straps, fold one short end in 1/4", press. Fold both long edges to center then folded edges to center. Zig zag stitch down center of length.
Place shoulder straps, high waist straps and loops (5" lengths folded in half) on RS of fur tail at marks located on pattern. Part fur at locations to set straps and loops flat to fur backing. Place tail ends of straps and loops 1/2" beyond raw edge of fur. Baste 1/4" from edge. Place tail fur pieces RST. Tuck all fur and straps into center of tail. Sew 1/2" SA leaving bottom 5" open to turn. Trim edges to 1/4". Turn RSO. Use chopstick or dowel to push out curves. Fill with poly fill. Hand stitch opening closed. Single knot shoulder straps through lower loops to desired length. Wrap high waist straps above gathered skirting of dress. Tie at center front of dress.
Cut interfacing for ears and collar. Fuse to WS of dress fabric. Cut fabric. Place collar straps on RS of dress fabric collar at marks located on pattern. Place tail ends of straps 1/2" beyond raw edge of fabric. Baste 1/4" from edge. Pin straps to center of RS of collar, pins facing one short end. Opposite end will be left open to turn. Pin RST fur collar to dress fabric collar with straps. Tuck all fur into center of collar. Sew 1/4" SA leaving one short end (the end pins pointing away from) open to turn. Trim corners and seams to 1/8". Turn RSO. Remove the pins holding the straps while turning. Pull on the closed end strap to assist in pulling the collar through the open end. Use a dowel or chopstick to push out corners. Fold in the open end 1/4" and hand stitch closed. Set aside.
RST ears dress fabric and fur. Tuck all fur into center of ear. Sew 1/4" SA around curve of ear leaving the straight bottom edge open to turn. Trim seam edges to 1/8". Repeat. Turn RSO. Turn bottom edge in 1/4" and hand stitch closed. Repeat. Cut dress fabric 1 1/4"x full width. Hot glue around headband. Fold one short end corner over to inside of bottom edge of headband, hot glue in place. Spiral fabric around headband overlapping spirals. Place beads of hot glue on WS of each long edge of fabric with each spiral. Attach the ears to the headband. Place a bead of hot glue at the bottom center of dress fabric side of ear. Pinch bottom of ear together. Repeat. Locate positions for ears on headband. Hot glue to secure ears to headband.
Use a hair pic to fluff fur. Gently pic at fur directing the fur up on the tail and ears, out from the center of the collar.
JOANN HACKS:
When constructing dress additional lengths of 1 1/4" straps may be added, as loops, at sides of dress at gathered high waist seam.
The high waist straps on the tail may be fed through the loops.
This will prevent the straps from shifting onto the gathered bottom of dress.
After fur has been styled with a pic a gentle mist of hair spray may be dusted over the fur.