Been embroidering bunnies over here. 

Let me explain. With all the recent focus on fabric design I am inspired more than ever to learn all things sewing and embroidery. It’s challenging me - creatively which gives me so much fulfillment and personally which can be frustrating. I’m learning something new and sometimes the curve feels steep. But, I have decided that this is what makes us, artist and people, better. Learning is good for us!

Since I’m prolific and not patient, the time it takes me to create a small piece feels like forever. This is because lately, I have been more meticulous about fully understanding the best way to approach each project. I am actually taking the time to learn the details of each step that I have all too often skimmed over in the past. 

I will say that I recognize in my creative self, the need to improvise. I think it’s important very important when you embark on the creative journey, to fully understand and embrace what kind of creative you are. I’m not much of a pattern/instruction follower. I just like to get started and create. This also applies to instruction booklets. Three years later, I have yet to crack open the instruction manual to my camera. *ahem*

Making these two bunnies was an experiment in both styles of creating. The bunny with the big round ears was improvised by me. I literally made a sketch in my sketchbook and translated a similar representation using scissors. I didn’t even draw the sketch directly on the fabric. The other finger puppet rabbit with whiskers was sewn using a step by step tutorial courtesy of Purl Soho’s blog the Purl Bee. As you know I made my first visit toPurl Soho on my trip to NY and fell in love ~ not only with the store but the finger puppet bunnies that were on display. One of the employees pointed us to the bunny tutorial online! WEEE! I knew I had to make one.

What I have noticed with tutorials, even in books about sewing, is that very often the authors leave out the most basic steps, especially for a beginner. Like starting and finishing your thread. Did you know you can sew/embroider without knots? The best tutorial I found for a knotless beginning was this video on youtube. Another good tutorial on how to bury a knot, I found here. Thank you internets!! and thank you Purl Soho! They also have a kit you can buy to make 12 bunnies.

Happy Easter to those who are celebrating today - make some bunnies!