Fun Fall Project - Tutorial and Pattern

I'm really tickled with what I have for you today!  I hope you have as much fun with this as I've had putting it together.  I am definitely in full on fall mode, and I'm wanting to decorate for the season.  I was doodling the other day and came up with this friendly little owl.

Pull these patterns off to your computer.  I know they look different sizes, but they should print the same size.  The front should fit right into the same oval on the back.  You can size this as large or small as you wish.  My finished owls are about five inches, head to tail.

Edit:  they don't print the same size!  Darn.  So just pull off the bottom one and print 2 copies; using the middle oval for the tummy pattern.  If I wasn't such a neophyte when it comes to digital imagery I could do better.  Ha ha!

You need:
fabric, thread, scissors, stuffing, needle, pins, buttons

You can use whatever fabric you happen to have on hand.  I happen to have a stash of upholstery fabric, so that is what I used.  Sometimes you can find books of upholstery fabric samples at thrift stores.  You can make all kinds of fun things out of them.

This is a very primitive owl, so no sewing machine required, only very minimal sewing skills needed.   If you can sew a running stitch, you're good;  there are no finished edges to worry about.

Cut out your pattern and pin it to the fabric.  I used contrasting fabrics for each  piece.  Cut around the pattern piece.  Use the tail portion of the back pattern piece to cut a second tail.

Place the tails together, wrong sides facing, and sew with a few small stitches just at the top.  Then center the tummy on the back, wrong sides facing, and stitch it on, leaving a space for stuffing.

Stuff him as full as you like, then sew it up.  Fold over one wing and sew with a running stitch.  Do the next wing, too.

Now, fold the top triangle over to form the beak and a couple little feather "ears".  Sew that down as well.  Next add a couple big buttons for eyes.  Snip the tail into feathers.  My fabric has a backing that prevents it from fraying, so to combat that, I snipped it a little more.

You can see that tail better here.  I also added a little bit of feather stitch embroidery on the wings.  You can embellish him any way you wish.  For the first owl up there, I threaded a large needle with some jute and pulled it through the top flap to make a hanging loop.  And because I can't leave well enough alone, I decided he needed some feet and a perch.  I twisted up some craft wire into feet and then sewed them on the owl, then pinched the toes around a stick.  You could add some glue to make it more secure.  I'm going to make a few more and string them together with this bottom fella to make a garland, because as you know I'm a bit crazy for garlands!

Have fun with this, and let me know if there are any problems with the pattern or instructions and I'll make it right:)