Wednesday 21 August 2013

Second Rabbit - finished!

 I have been given a timely reminder, by a colleague who reads my blog, that there hasn't been much on the craft side of things for some time.  She was absolutely right, so I shall attempt to rectify this shameful state of affairs.  You may remember that I made a little rabbit, having been prompted to use some material from my stash which was left over from my favourite puffed sleeve dress when I was five.  So, I set to work and made a rabbit.  Then I thought she would need a friend, so decided to use some left over material from my wedding dress bodice to continue the memories theme.  Above is rabbit number two in her pantaloons.
 I used a slightly different pattern for the rabbit (from Helen Philipps, rather than the Tilda one I used first).  Here she is in the pink silk dress.  I changed the sleeves from the pattern too.
 Then I made an apron from some floral cotton I bought earlier in the year ("Oh, I'll use it for something, I'm sure", I said (as I do every time I am drawn into buying more material) and then I added it to my ever-growing stash).
 Here is the finished rabbit with a face and a felt hat which was a real nuisance to make as the size wasn't right.  I gave up after attempting it in different sizes and finding none was perfect!  The eagle eyed amongst you may notice that her ears are different from the original too.  This is due to the fact that originally, I wanted to link the rabbits by using the puffed sleeve dress material on both.  However, with all the pink, the blue flowers didn't quite work.  I tried to convince myself that it was fine, but Chris had mentioned a couple of times that he wasn't sure that the material was right for the pink rabbit (I stuck to my guns and said it would be fine, not wanting to admit that it wouldn't!) Once she was all made up though, I could see that the material looked wrong.  So, I made another set of ears, using a piece of material left over from a dress my sister made for me when I was about eighteen.   This material does look fine!
Here are the two (hopefully) contented rabbits, helping me to remember some special times that made me very happy.

8 comments:

  1. I love them both Ellie. I really enjoyed making the Tilda rabbit but it was a bit fiddly.

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    1. Dear Anne
      Thank you. I found the second rabbit a bit easier, but I think that was mainly to do with being more used to the pattern and how to make it up. I found that both patterns were fiddly!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  2. She's gorgeous! Fabulous use of your fabric stash - what a lovely way of perpetuating your happy memories! E x

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    1. Dear E
      Thank you. I am really pleased to have finally finished them both. It is a good way to be reminded of those happy times and far better than letting the material just sit in a box, which I allow to happen on a regular basis. (However, I could have made things a little easier on myself by making up a patchwork heart or some such item instead, though! Of course, I still may do that as well.)
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  3. What a sweet pair... I think they are really beautiful Ellie, well done!
    I like it that they are slightly different from each other!
    Love from Mirjam.

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    1. Dear Mirjam
      Thank you. I must admit to feeling pleased now that they are done. I seemed to get to the final stage of the hat and face and then come to a stop, which is why they have seemed to take so long! I like their differences too.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  4. What perfect reminders of your youth, a super idea.

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    1. Dear Toffeeapple
      Thank you. On reflection, it was quite an ambitious project, but I am pleased with the result as I can now see the fabrics, and don't have to go delving in a box to find them. The next problem is where to put the rabbits...
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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