I have been meaning to join in Magpie Monday at Me and My Shadow for the longest time since I am a regular raider of charity shops and love going to Boot Fairs. I keep forgetting to take photos which would make for an incredibly dull post. And then last week I was inspired by a bargain children’s coat, which today was reincarnated, or ‘upcycled’ into a fabulous Rabbit Wreath to hang on our door for Easter. I am deeply proud of myself so I will brook no criticism.
You will need:
about 1/2 metre of fabric, plus a contrast colour
a polystyrene wreath
some corrugated card
some buttons
a glue gun
time
First, you need to use your glue gun to cover your wreath in the primary fabric: obviously I used the fur from the coat, but you could use felt, or fleece. If you do use fur I’d strongly recommend wearing an apron, or some sort of covering. At the very least, change out of your black trousers, before you start. I learnt the hard way.
The second step is to make the ears. Cut out two ear shapes in your primary fabric, and two in your secondary fabric. For each ear, lay the primary fabric right side down, with the secondary fabric right side up, on top. Fold the primary fabric over and in on top to create a hem and pin in place all the way round the edge. Zigzag stitch roughly round the ear. I did this twice for security but I was using fur and therefore it was hard to see. If you want a neater look, use a straight stitch.
Once your ear has been stitched, fold the bottom two edges of the ear towards the centre and stitch across the ear several times to hold in place. Then do the other one. Using the glue gun, fix each ear to the rear of the wreath near the top so that they both peep out. Mine were too floppy so I cut a small slit in the rear of the ear (above the stitching at the base) and pushed in a bendy straw, then sealed the hole with the glue gun. The straw supported the ear so that it stood upright. You could also use florist’s wire, or perhaps a metal coat hanger. I used the straws because they were to hand.
Take a small break to pick up children from nursery.
Cut out a pair of feet shapes from the corrugated card (mine was torn from a pushchair box: I have a few.) I aimed for a horse-shoe shape with a flat top. Lay these flat onto your fabric and cut around leaving a 2cm excess. Glue the cardboard to the fabric, then secure the rest of the fabric to the back of the card. Turn over. Cut paw shapes from your secondary fabric with pinking shears (to prevent fraying) and glue into place. Then glue the feet into place.
I used a couple of butttons I had lying around for eyes and glued them into place. I also added a wire hook, hidden behind the wreath, for hanging my bunny.
It’s love, people. I may have to keep Bertie (for that is what I have named him) on display all year round.
This is the cutest wreath i have ever seen! You are very clever. I have a question for you how would you convert the required 1/2 meter of fabric into inches or yards. I live in the u.s.a and we use different terms of measuring things. Also, i am planning on using bulky yarn for my rabbit. i am also going to do a “baby chick” inspired by your cute rabbit wreath.
Half a metre is roughly half a yard @gina!
Very cute. You could add a bow tie for Bertie and do a Betty with a bow between or in front of the ears for a hair bow. Really neat!
such a good idea Diane
whats his nose made from? xx
A large button, Emma. But you could use a pompom.
I LOVE HIM! he is so beautiful!! im going to buy the stuff and make one for Easter!!
your very clever!
thankyou!!!!
Thanks Emma.
I am over from Blow your own Blog Horn. This wreath is amazing and I am going to try and make it over the weekend.
Bertie is adorable…
Thanks for linking to Creative Juice! Hope to see you back this week…
aww this is super cute!! Would love for you to come link up to Handmade Tuesdays @ Ladybug Blessings next week! http://www.ladybug-blessings.com
Hello! This is one of the cutest Easter wreaths!! Thanks for sharing it! I saw your Bubble Eggs over at Red Ted and loved how you were able to recycle an item into an adorable project!
Kerri
This is so adorable!!! I love it!
That is just genius!!! I want one! And I also want to know how you managed to make that while also coping with a teething toddler…. Whatever you’ve got, I need it!!
First visit here and thoroughly enjoying myself. Thank you.
That’s lovely and so clever and creative.
I don’t have a crafty fibre in my body so I’m totally in awe.
Now *that* is fantastic! How clever are you? I am inspired! Thanks for your comment on my ebook by the way – I don’t write tips about writing an ebook in it, but hopefully it is entertaining! Check out catherinecaffeinated blog – loads of ebook tips there.
Oh its so cute lol I want one . Thanks for sharing
That the the most amazing Easter wreath I have ever seen! wow!! Brilliant!
Thanks so much for linking up!
Your bunny wreath is just the cutest thing ever and look EVEN more special in real life – so pleased I got to see it
And thank you for linking up to Kids Get Crafty – always appreciated
Maggy
You are so creative and Bertie is adorable! Great job! x
He’s fun and funky, and cute as can be!
Bertie is brilliant! We’ll have to make our own Bertie, L will love him! x
Oh my word!!! I’m actually jumping up from my seat (or should that be hopping?)
I LOVE Bertie. He’s so gorgeous. You need to make him a Betty, so they can make lots of beautiful little rabbit wreath bunnies.
You are SO clever. xx
ps where did you get the polystyrene wreath from? I’ve been looking for ages for something else. Not bunny-related. Not made from my daughter’s coat. Honest.