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sewing project kids three wise owls softies

Three Wise Owls

It’s getting close to school holidays over here and I’ve been looking for new sewing projects for my holiday workshops.

Recently I saw some owls on Xue’s blog which I really admired – her work is really beautiful – it has that understated Japanese refinement and everything about her blog has a really lovely feeling – anyway, I began thinking that perhaps I could use her owls as the inspiration for a project that would work as an afternoon activity for my girls.

This is what I came up with: Three Wise Owls

sewing three wise owls kids
Templates are always a bit fiddly. It took me several attempts to get the template below just right so that the owls didn’t look a little “odd”. The size given, 10 cm X 10.5 cm, is the size of the Papa Owl. The curves give you good ears and a nice round body, but if you want a different look or character, just play around with a few versions. My owls are filled with rice which gives them stability and a nice weight to hold. Actually, it sort of gives them their realness.

Remember: (1) Leave a 2 cm turning gap at the bottom of your owl and (2) fold and glue the beak of your owl down before filling with rice.


To give the owls a flat base I fold the ends under as in the photo below: (so glad there are photos to explain this sort of thing!)


So that’s my very quick, very condensed tutorial.

Thanks again to Xue.

Hope you enjoy making your owls…I don’t think kids can ever have too many wise friends.

Looking for a sewing book for kids?
Have a look at my new book ‘Sew Together Grow Together
There’s 20 fun and original sewing projects to make with your kids.

 

23 thoughts on “Three Wise Owls”

  1. Dear Trixi,
    How kind of you to say these about my work & my blog. I feel honoured by the thought that I can inspire a teacher – sure boost my ego 🙂 ! I use polyfil stuffing or plain old green beans in mine. And I too, tried out a few sizes before I was happy with the owls – hence the various sizes in my collection. I love owls & it's nice to know that someone I like, like owls too!

  2. They are very cute Trixi. Are your workshops for kids? I'm guessing yes as they are in the school holidays. The kids will love making these. Actually so would adults too! Could they also be wheatbags? Although I guess the eyes might not go so well in the microwave!

    Hope the workshops are/have gone well.

  3. I quilt & am usually excellent at foldiing corners at an angle. However, I just can't put the bottom steps together.
    I work with small children. If I could use pencil marks, I could guide them through it.
    -may you please give me a step 1, 2 & 3 for the bottom fold?
    They are so adorable & parents could brighten up their work space with these classy little owls.
    Thanks a mill.

  4. Purl Girl – I'm not Trixi but I can help. You sew around the edges, stuff the owl, then sew the stuffing hole closed…then pinch the outside bottom corners together, lining up the seams, so they make a flat triangle; take this triangle and fold it under, then tack the tip of the triangle down where it meets the seam. It's the same as making a flat bottom for a handbag. Of course, I don't know if you've ever done that, either…I hope this explanation helps.

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