Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Tutorial and Pattern: Recycled Mooshy Belly Bunny


This all came about because of a large multi-colored stack of stripey tees I have had taking up space in my workshop for months. The t-shirts were all thrifted and reclaimed and salvaged from our own outgrown boxes of clothing, of course. When I started collecting them, I admit, I had no idea what I intended to do with them. But those colorful stripey tees kept calling my name every ime I went to the thrift store...even Mr Beeper commented when folding a freshly washed pile how lovely they were to look at. Yep.
And so here we are, a little Mooshy Belly Bunny tutorial and pattern download for you so you can cut into some of your own discarded stripey tees and get something simple and sweet back from it.

And this is an easy plushie to make--you can turn this out in about 1 hour. For real ( I made three, I would know). So, for those of you who have left comments stating that you do sew but want to sew more, and more specifically, want to sew plushies but are a little intimidated to try--well, this tutorial is dedicated to you. Yes, you. And you know who you are. Anyone can make this little guy, and even with a screw up or two, it will still look sweet and be mooshy and stuff.

And need I also point out that this is the prefect last-minute bunny to make for someone's easter basket? You could easily do it tonight.

So, go root through your boxes of discarded clothes, dig through the bowels of your kids'closets, find some stripey tees and go to it. Because I know you can make this one. And I know the results will be just fine. Just relax, drink a glass of wine (or two) if you have to, and try to enjoy this. It's just a little bunny. Easy peasy, people.

115 comments:

Jo said...

This is just too cute. I've already made a rabbit for my daughter for Easter but I think she might be getting another one. Thanks for the tutorial :)

Silvia LGD (Little Green Doll) said...

Thank you!!! it's a funny bunny!!

Natalie Simons said...

its gorgeous - think I'm going to try this one!
I unfortunately can't open the tutorial :-(

Ana said...

How adorable! I think I'm going to pull out my own striped shirts and get to work right now!

Annette said...

Love it, but I can't open the link!!

Tracey said...

these guys are reeeeeeally sweet looking. thanks for sharing a free tutorial, its lovely of you :)

Holly said...

Regarding the link--I was having some problems with Google Groups last night--but the link is not broken--I just opened it. Try back if you cannot open it right now--something is going on with Google Groups that is making it temperamental right now.

And thank you for all the lovely comments.

Stephanie Rose said...

I love this! I have been trying to make a bunny that would be small enough and fun enough for my 7 month old! Love this idea - now I just have to wait for the link to be available - apparently Google is having trouble and I haven't been able to view it all day!!! AHHHH! :)

CraftCrave said...

Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [31 Mar 02:00pm GMT]. Thanks, Maria

Unknown said...

Too cute! You have such great ideas. I will have to make a few.

Katie said...

Link trouble like the rest :(. Super cute! Love the idea of recycling tired tees!

eatmoresmores said...

Thank you! I think this will be a great way to reuse cute baby clothes.

Holly said...

Cna anyone tell me if they have been succsseful at all in accessing the pdf download? Just either email me and let me know or leave a comment here...just curious. Like I said, I have been able to acceess it today, but last night it was not working...damn Google.

Rose said...

Thank you so much for this, I managed to access the PDF yesterday but only after many attempts.

Kara Forristall said...

Thank you for the tutorial! I will be trying this one for sure! I love it!

Mila said...

Очень мило и красиво!!!! Прелесть!!))

la.daridari said...

thank you for the tutorial... that bunny is cute and nice!

Banuca said...

I like all kinds of recycled crafts.
This bunny is so sweet, thanks for sharing. I am going to share it with my friend at my blog with your link.

Julianna said...

This is so cute! I love it! This would be well loved at my house!

Secondhand Nation said...

I will have to download. Because I am not an intrepid crafter or sewer these days. What will pain is cutting up stripey shirts. I Heart Stripey Shirts.

Holly said...

I heart stripey shirts too--that is why I have the stack of them in the first place. Also, Carrie, I made one of these bunnies for Matilda and will be delivering it to your home tomorrow...but this might be a good first project for Matilda to try to make with you, given her interest in sewing.

Anonymous said...

wow. now that is cute!

Crafty Mama said...

Thank you for this adorable patter. I made one for my little boy, and one for another friend's little boy. Your blog is always so useful!

BUSIR said...

thank you for your tutorial;I made one yesterday ..hoping to see one of my 7 grandchildren soon.The only problem was because i was too lazy to change my machine needle...after that it was easy.Y.S

Holly said...

I am so happy to know some of you made the little bunny...I made a few extra of my own the past few days. They all went into little easter baskets for the kiddies in our lives, along with some homemade candy...also, for those of you who made a bunny, I hope you will take a photo and share in my Flickr project group. Find it in the sidebar...

Natalie Simons said...

Thks, I can open it now, going to try this weekend!

Margret said...

thanks for the tutorial, he's so sweet.

Very Shannon said...

Awwww, so cute - just love it! You're in our link luv roundup today, come by for a peek! http://bit.ly/cQKk4F

Adventures in Dressmaking said...

So, so cute!!

Anonymous said...

So adorable! I love it!

Anne said...

Ohhhhhh, he's so cute!!! I linked to your pattern over at Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/free-pattern-recycled-mooshy-belly-bunny/2010/04/07/

--Anne

Anonymous said...

Um, this is darling. Way way darling.

Lizzy @ Lizzy Designs said...

This is so nice! I had to make it myself and blogged about it here, linking to you. I hope that's ok! :)
Thank you for taking the time to do the tutorial.

Lizzy @ Lizzy Designs said...

Silly me! I didn't put the link! It's http://lizzydesigns.blogspot.com/2010/04/mooshy-belly-bunny-from-chez-beeper.html

Holly said...

My son and I made one last weekend, but he insisted on turning it into a cat! I still hope to try the bunnies, too.
http://www.stitchcraftcreations.com/2010/04/28/my-apprentice/

zauber-a said...

This mooshy bunny is too sweet! I made one yesterday for a friend I will see at the weekend - she's just had a baby and it seemed the perfect gift. One question on the darling little pom pom tail though - my husband immediately showed concern that it was not baby-safe. I'm wondering if I should take it back off again? I think at 5 weeks, it's safe enough, but when baby gets to the oral phase where he puts everything in his mouth...would the tail be a choking hazard?

Thanks for the fabulously adorable tutorial!!

~april said...

I can't WAIT to try this out. I am going to a baby shower next weekend and guess what the baby girl is getting? Thanks!
When it's done I will post to my blog with a link to your fab tutorial! http://www.aprilscraftnest.blogspot.com/

~april said...

here is the link to my blog post about your adorable mooshy belly bunny. http://aprilscraftnest.blogspot.com/2010/05/shower-gifts.html
thanks again!

Holly said...

All the mooshy belly bunnies you guy have been making--why, they are proliferating like, well, rabbits.

zauber-a--I would have to agree with your husband on the tail for a baby. My son was such a gnawer as a babe and could have chewed almost anything off or apart so I always think it is best to be safe...

nanann said...

Just found this through some blog linkage -- it is ADORABLE! I've saved the tutorial already for next Easter.

Thanks for sharing!

Ammieloris said...

Hooray! I love love love this. (How did I not find it earlier?)

Steph Jacobson said...

Thanks for sharing! My friend is due in December, and this will be a perfect little gift for her newborn. (And I love projects that use recycled items!)

Hashi said...

I just made one from a favourite tshirt. I love that the pom pom tail allows him to stand upright!

Jenna Z said...

I whipped up one of these a few weeks ago and posted it on my blog!
http://destashbabycache.blogspot.com/2010/12/simple-bunny.html

Nina said...

Thanks for the tut! The bunny was very easy to make :)
You can see my bunny here: http://whiterabbittreasures.blogspot.com/2011/02/some-crafting-done.html

Wendy said...

I don't sew, but I have to make a bunch of little softies for the safe birthing kits our community is putting together to send to Haiti. Egads! So, I'm going to attempt these this weekend. If all goes well a bunch of these will end up in Haiti. :)

Bron said...

Thanks for this tutorial..I have had you bookmarked for a while and thought it was the perfect thing for my one year niece.

The Wallers said...

Finally made these squishy loves! Thank you so much for the tutorial!! http://richandchristen.blogspot.com/

Erica said...

These are so addictive!
http://arslongavitabrevisblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/vacation-time.html

kristena marie said...

I just made this sweet bunny yesterday! Check it out here: http://www.thimblythings.com/2011/07/13/bunny-for-baby/

Unknown said...

Adore this bunny! Taking this project on tomorrow since my husband will be out of town for the weekend! Too cute!

Love your newest follower, Lindsay

Anonymous said...

These are so gosh darn cute!

Happy in red said...

Oh, this is very adorable!! I have a polka dotted tee that I have wondered what to do with it... and now I know. Yay.
Esther.

Mary Jo said...

Thanks for the awesome tutorial! Finished my bunny!
blogged about here:
http://allthisforthem.blogspot.com/2011/10/mooshy-bunny-isnt-he-cute.html

mitch1066 said...

only furbabies here so i think ill shorten the ears and stuff them with catnip for my 3 cats :)

Kate said...

This is adorable!!! Thank you.

Jane S. said...

Thanks so much for the pattern! I am going to use some leftover Minky fabric...it'll be so soft and squishy I might keep it for myself. heh heh

Júnia Izabel said...

Que lindos!
Amei!
Grata por compartilhar.
Beijos e fique com Deus

Júnia Izabel said...

Lindos!
Amei!
Grata por compartilhar.
Beijos e fique com Deus.

Erin said...

Love this!! I just made one for a baby shower gift "from" my daughter - I used a pair of her old pants. I had a little trouble sewing the curves (I'm a sewing machine rookie, really), but you're right, the imperfections make him all the cuter!!
Thank you for sharing.

Camille said...

http://inmommyland.blogspot.com/2012/01/bunny-cuteness.html - Thanks for the tutorial! That was fun!

new mom said...

Hello!
Such a lovely bunny :-) I'm looking forward to make one. Since I'm not a sewer, what are the notches between the head and the arms for? Thank you.

Holly said...

The notches stop it from bunching and gathering in these areas when you turn it right side out--it allows the seam to lay smoother.

Aliselle said...

Très très joli ton petit lapin!...
Merci pour les explications...
Kiss from France

El said...

Thanks for the pattern! I just love it. I'm curious if I can make one within the hour...

Cheda said...

Thanks a lot for the tutorial!
Your rabbit is wonderful!

I've already made 3 rabbits for 3 little kids. I've had only congratulations.

If you want to see my rabbits go there :

http://couture-et-autres.blogspot.com/2011/11/lapin-raye.html

Emilie

Anonymous said...

Wow this is really cute and it looks so easy to make. I'm thinking of making one for a friend who just had a baby but I am a bit worried that the string around the bunnies neck might not be save for a newborn. I'm thinking it might come off and the baby could swallow it or get entangled in it. What do you think?

Holly said...

I am pretty sensitive to what coulée conceivably be pulled off by a baby--especially since when my boy was a baby he chewed and pulled ferociously on everything he could reach--but I really think you are safe with these--for one, the string is pretty much completely obscured by the bunny's head and body so it is not noticeable and not especially esy to get to, but you can also tie the string around the neck in a couple of loops, using knots with each new loop, making it practically impossible to come loose. Once cinched the string will be too small to slip over the bunny's head. So, I would not worry about the string.

jelly_belly said...

Just made one of these bunnies. Its turned out fab! Think I may have to make another!

Elif said...

I just churned out a slew of these for Easter baskets - perfect size, easy and adorable. I didn't have scrap knits so I used a woven calico. Thanks for the tutorial, I'm new to sewing and this was a perfect project!

Bridget said...

Thanks for this great tutorial! Here's a link to the bunny I made. Cheers!!

http://homecozy.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/bunny-love/

Karla said...

I just love this pattern. Can add it to my website with a comment and a link back to your site? Warm wishes, Karla

Holly said...

Karla, please feel free to share your creation and/or an image from this tutorial on your website but please be sure to credit it to my blog and link back to my blog (please do not, however, direct link to the downloadable tutorial--link to the blog post, please)
Thank you for sharing and your kind words.

Kate said...

Thank you .... I love it!

Stefanie Warreyn said...

Hi there, I loved your tutorial so much! I've made my own bunny (I very conveniently had an old stripey t-shirt lying around begging to be made into a bunny).
I blogged about it here:
http://www.fabricstash.co.uk/bunny-from-upcycled-t-shirt/

ayisha said...

Your site is very good and helpful thank you.

Kellie said...

too cute!!

Amélie said...

Thanks a lot for that bunny.
It will make a really cute present for a baby^^

And thanks for sharing !

Amélie said...

Thanks a lot for this bunny.
It will make a really cute present for a baby^^

And thanks for sharing !

Unknown said...

Adorable! Thanks for sharing :)

NabihaW said...

I loved making this bunny...and my daughter loves it even more! I'm planning on making a whole batch of these to give out as gifts...unfortunately I only have black and white stripey tees...I envy you for the beautiful bunnies you made in so many different colours! Thanks for the wonderful tutorial.

Here's the link to my bunny
http://desertcrafter.blogspot.com/2012/11/lookie-what-i-made-mooshy-belly-bunny.html

Amelia said...

I don't sew a whole lot...what are the notches for? I don't see where I ever come back to that.

Holly said...

Amelia, the notches are cut in places where the bunny's body has curves-- it helps the seams and curves to not bunch up and curve more smoothly. The notches are not meant to be sewn--you just cut them in and leave them be.

Fm said...

Such a great tutorial and sooo easy to sew! I made them when I had just started sewing and could hardly make anything that looked halfway acceptable. But I'm very pleased with my results:
http://fingerles-werke.blogspot.de/2012/11/hannis-bunnys.html

Anonymous said...

Just found this on Pinterest. Too adorable! Now to select the perfect t-shirt for a cute bunny...

Kristen said...

Thanks so much for sharing your pattern & tutorial! I found it on Pinterest too. It makes a cute little bunny, and I love how easy it is! :)

Unknown said...

How do i trim a notch? HELP!

Unknown said...

How do you trim a notch? In detail, please!!

Holly said...

Parisa, you simply cut a tiny "V" into the deep curve between where the body and head come together--you will see a tiny v indicated on the pattern template where you should do this. You just need to take care to not trim into the seam you sewed--so your "V" should only be cut into the inseam portion of the fabric. The notch you cut will allow the curve to turn out more smoothly once you turn your bunny right side out--otherwise it will pucker a bit (if you feel too uncertain about doing this still, skip it and your bunny will still be fine...the seam will just pucker a bit in that neck area, but because you tie this area up with a string later on after you stuff it, it will hardly be noticeable). Hope that helps!

Anne said...

Thank you for the tutorial! I hope I can make a cute bunny tomorrow!
Does the template include seam allowance?

Holly said...

Anne, the pattern template does include seam allowance. Happy bunny making!

Crazy diamond said...

Hello! Thank you for sharing this nice tutorial!
I made one, you can see it on my blog:
http://lescreasdudiamantfou.blogspot.fr/2013/01/tatie-diamant-fou.html
(sorry it's in french!)
A bientôt et merci!!!

Caitlin said...

I'm new at sewing and wondering if anyone can help me - I can't seem to figure out how to embroider the face on while the bunny is already stuffed, from the outside.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a link that might help me out?

Holly said...

Caitlin, this link explains how to do it:
http://www.ehow.com/how_12082388_embroider-face-stuffed-toy.html
Good luck!

Jarmy said...

This is too cute! Have made 2 in the hour one each for both my grandsons.
Feel there maybe a few more to make when other people se them lol!.

Paula said...

Olá

muito bonito o coelho e parece simples, vou tentar, obrigada
Paula

cémina kafé said...

They are so cute,and now they've got many french cousins!Thank yo so much for taht fantastic idea!

Jen - Ava Pot Pie said...

Thank you for such a fantastic pattern. We used them for our Easter Basket Bunnies this year :o)

Caroline said...

Hi Holly,

Love love LOVE this tutorial!

Have you considered selling the licensed pattern at all? I ask because we run a sewing club, and it's just the sort of simple project we'd like to teach a class on one week. I know our members would love to make one, as so many of them have kids!

Also, I have hundreds of baby gros I'm looking to use up somehow, and would end up with too many to do anything with but sell on!

Thanks,
Caroline

glitterrs said...

Thank you for the tutorial with pattern. I made two bunnies for my daughter and my niece--they were a hit. There's no way mine look as lovely as yours, but they're still cute. A photo is on my blog http://glitterrs.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/recycled-t-shirt-bunny.html

Anonymous said...

Brenda said
Thank you for such a wonderful simple but delightful toy pattern. I keep visiting your blog to see if you come up with anything else. I have made several for my grandchildren and they are much treasured.

Julia said...

Hi, this bunny is so lovely and cute. I wanna make one for my baby cousin, but I have two questions; 1.) I'm not a pro at sewing. I just 'can', but I'm not great at it at all. Do you think it'll be simple enough for me? 2.) I... Have no experience whatsoever with the sewing machine. What if I sewed it simply with a needle and thread? Would that work?

Thank you so much!

Holly said...

Julia, this is a pretty simple beginner project. And yes, you could hand sew this, just use little stitches. I believe in you--you can do it.

Palak said...

This is the most adorable little bunny I've ever seen! I just wanted to let you know I linked to it on Sewistry, my frugal sewing site. Here's the link:
http://sewistry.com/2013/10/mooshy-belly-bunny-free-pattern-and-tutorial/

scientician said...

I've got a blog post about this adorable rabbit coming up soon. http://scienticiankate.blogspot.com/2013/10/scrap-happy-baby-gifts.html
I'm so looking forward to making more of these. I have so many scraps of knit leftover that need to be made into bunnies!

Connie said...

Just made one by hand, turned out so cute. Thank you!

Mirakulixa said...

Thank ou very much for this nice litte bunny-pattern. I will sew it for my twin-boys I´m expecting in June!
Love, Julia

adriprints said...

Just saw this on Sew, Mama, Sew, and it is beyond adorable. I also have scraps of jersey just waiting to be something... this bunny is it! Thanks for sharing the pattern!

Silvia said...

Thanks for this funny bunny tutorial! I made it from flannel, but it works!

Angela said...

Just saw this on Pinterest (how many times have you heard that?! lol) This is so adorable! I don't sew much, but you've made this seem pretty easy, so I'm going to try to make a bunny family for my niece. Thank you so much for sharing!

1craftygirl said...

Hi Holly!
I LOVE this bunny and would love to make some for Christmas presents, but I cannot get the link to work. I have tried from a couple of different computers too. Is it possible for you to email me a copy of the pattern, or another link?
Thank you and I cannot wait to look through your blog and see what other goodies you have! I am so glad I stumbled upon it!!
emelton77@gmail.com

1craftygirl said...

I'm just wondering if you could email me this pattern? I can't get it open, I've tried a few computer and on different days with no luck. Thank you in advance and I love this bunny! I can't wait to make some presents with it!
Emelton77@gmail.com

gail said...

145This tutorial is great. I hope that my stitch group will help me make some of these for charity Christmas presents. Bless you.

gail said...

145This tutorial is great. I hope that my stitch group will help me make some of these for charity Christmas presents. Bless you.

Anonymous said...

thank you so much for this pattern and tutorial, it's really cute! I was going to give the rabbit I made as a baby gift, but my daughter claimed it because she thinks it's way so cute. I suspect I'll make some more in the future ;-)