DIY Network

Shape-Shifting Sweater Think a turtle can't be soft and cuddly? Think again! From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-241

Transforming felted sweaters into comfy household items, Allison Whitlock and the Handicrafters (Anne Kuo Lukito, Aubrey West, Zona Sherman and Rachel Suslow) begin work on Shelly, a large tortoise-shaped stuffed floor pillow.

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Shell

Shelly Tortoise

Materials:

sewing machine
sewing needle
straight pins
scissors
old or thrift-store wool (or other animal fiber, i.e., sweaters, blankets or clothing) select 3-5 different items
1-1⁄4 yds. fabric
several pieces scrap fabric
matching sewing thread
stuffing (such as polyester fill, plastic foam, scrap fabric, etc.)
measuring tape or ruler
silver or gold metallic permanent marker (for marking dark surfaces)
black permanent marker (for marking light surfaces)
optional: wool roving, felting needle, beads (for eyes)

Note: One of the sweaters can be a non-animal fiber sweater. If selecting a sweater that is a material blend, allow no more than 10 percent of a plant (cotton) or synthetic (acrylic, nylon) fiber.

1. Wash the sweaters with plenty of detergent, hot water and either tennis shoes, tennis balls or jeans in the washing machine (this will cause the fibers to felt up into a tight, plush and thick fabric). Two washings may be required.

Tip: If you're using a non-wool or non-animal fiber sweater, it's recommended that you wash the sweater in warm water before first starting, since thrift-store sweaters can be very dusty.

	PDF Shelly Tortoise: click to download templates.
	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

2. Using a piece of scrap cardboard or a grocery store bag, cut a hexagon template using the pattern provided (see link, at right).

Tip: If you want to cut a different-sized hexagon, you may enlarge the pattern provided (many quilting books explain how to draw and cut hexagon shapes).

3. Use a permanent marker to trace the pattern onto the sweaters. Cut out a total of 19 hexagons.

Tip: For dark-colored fabric, use a silver metallic permanent marker.

Note: If one of the sweaters being used is made of plant or other synthetic fibers, which cannot be felted, make sure to stitch with the sewing machine close to the cut line before you cut; otherwise the sweater piece will fray. For this project, using more than 3 hexagons from a non-feltable sweater is not recommended.

4. Before starting to sew, arrange the cut pieces in a desired pattern layout and pin in place (figure A). Sewing is done through a butt join of the edges with a wide zigzag stitch. For stability and easier sewing, and to prevent the felt from snagging on the feeder of the sewing machine, sew the hexagons with a scrap fabric backing. Continue joining the rest of the pieces in the same manner (figure B).

5. When all the hexagons have been sewn, trim off any of the excess backing fabric. Use scissors to trim off the outer half of the hexagons that are sticking out (every other one) to create a large rounded-edge circle measuring approximately 33" in diameter (figure C). This becomes Shelly's outer shell.

Head, Flippers and Tail

1. Using the shell as a template, trace around the fabric to be used as the bottom of the shell. To do so, lay the fabric with the wrong side up and then lay the shell right side up on top of the fabric. Cut out the fabric and set aside.

2. Use a felted sweater to make the head, feet and tail.

Figure D

3. Using the pattern attached, cut 2 for each of the "front leg" flippers (figure D). Sew 1⁄2" seam along both sides, creating a tube. Turn right side out. Sew the bottom of the flipper closed by topstitching close to the edge. Topstitch approximately 3" from the bottom feet (where the leg narrows). Lightly fill the tube with stuffing. Hand baste the opening of the tube closed. Repeat for other front leg. Make the back legs in the same manner as the front legs, using the enclosed "back leg" flippers pattern.

4. Trace and cut 1 using the pattern attached for the tail. The flat edge is the part that will attach to the whole piece later.

Neck, Head and Body

	Figure E
	Figure F

1. Use a permanent marker to trace and cut 2 identical pieces (using the pattern attached for the head and neck).

Note: The included pattern has two pages, which should be joined before cutting the felt.

2. With the two right sides facing, sew a 1⁄2" seam along the edges of the head, leaving the base of the neck open. Turn right side out, lightly stuff and hand baste the opening closed.

Tip: If planning to needle felt, sew on or add beading to make the eyes of the tortoise, do so before stuffing the head and basting closed (figure E).

3. Place the head, tail and feet with the opening edge along the edge shell (all the parts will be pointing to the center of the shell), right sides facing together (figure F). Pin and hand baste.

4. Pin the shell and the fabric circle right sides together. This may be a little challenging due to the weight of Shelly's appendages. It may be easiest to lay the whole thing on the floor to pin. Sew a 1⁄2" seam from the edge, leaving a 5" opening between the tail and one of the back legs.

5. Turn right side out.

Stuff and Close

1. Stuff the pillow and hand-stitch the opening closed.

Tip: Be creative with your conservation. Shelly can be stuffed with a variety of scrap fabrics or materials: polyfill, foam packing peanuts, scrap yarn, scrap fabric, cedar woodchips to repel pests (if being used as a pet bed), etc.

GUESTS :

Anne Kuo Lukito
Website: www.handicraftcafe.com

Zona Sherman
Website: www.twirlgirlfibers.etsy.com

Aubrey West
Website: www.handicraftcafe.com

Rachel Suslow
We apologize no contact information is available.