Stuffed Chicken How-To

1. Enlarge templates to desired size on a photocopier (for a 5-inch-tall chicken, enlarge 400 percent), and cut out.
Using templates as a guide, cut out a side piece from felt; flip template, and cut out another side piece that's the
mirror image of the first. Cut out underbelly piece. With right sides facing and 1/8-inch seam allowance, stitch one
side to underbelly along lower side portion, from neck to tail, curving underbelly piece to fit.

2. Stitch other side piece to other edge of underbelly, sandwiching underbelly between 2 side pieces. Cut out wattle
and comb from felt.

3. Pin wattle and comb, facing inward, between layers of head and neck. Stitch around top of chicken, leaving a hole
for stuffing.

4. Turn chicken right side out. Cut out 4 wings. With right sides facing, stitch 2 wings together, leaving a small
opening at the base. Turn right side out; hand-stitch opening closed, then hand-stitch to body. Repeat for other wing.
Sew a handful of dried beans into a small sack created using a scrap from the sweater. Place inside chicken at
bottom, to weight and balance it. Pull cotton or polyester fill into small pieces to prevent lumps, and stuff chicken.
Slip-stitch back closed. Steam-iron the finished animal to refine its shape and loosen the stuffing.
Stuffed Lamb How-To
1. Enlarge templates to desired size on a photocopier; for a 6 1/2-inch-tall lamb, enlarge 150 percent. Cut out the
templates. Using template as a guide, out the underbelly piece from felted wool. To make legs stand up, fold back
each at solid lines, and stitch at dotted lines.

2. Cut out the side piece; flip template, and cut out another side piece that's the mirror image of the first. With right
sides facing and 1/8-inch seam allowance, stitch one side to underbelly along lower portion, from neck to tail, curving
underbelly piece to fit. Stitch other side piece to other edge of underbelly, sandwiching underbelly between the 2 side
pieces. Cut out 2 tail pieces: Stitch, right sides facing, leaving a hole at the base. Turn inside out. and stuff with cotton
or polyester fill.

3. Sew dart at mouth. Pin tail, facing inward, between the 2 side pieces. Sew side pieces along top portion of lamb,
leaving a gap at the back and at the top of the head. Cut out 4 ear pieces and the top of head piece. Sew together
two sets of ear pieces, right sides facing, leaving a hole at the base of each; turn right side out.

4. Cover head: Pin one ear and the top of head piece pointed end facing forward between the layers of the head.
Starting in front, sew around the top of the head, stopping when you get to the back. Pin on the other ear, and
continue sewing around the head. Turn lamb right side out. Rip fill into small pieces to prevent lumps from forming,
and stuff. Slip-stitch the back closed. Steam-iron the finished animal to refine its shape and loosen the stuffing.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Felted Stuffed Animals - Martha Stewart Crafts

Homemade slippers of thick wool felt make a heartwarming (and foot-warming) gift. Felt is the ideal fabric to work
with, since it won't unravel when cut. 

Felt Slippers How-To

1. Use our templates. Trace onto 1/8-inch-thick wool felt, and cut out (you will need 2 sole pieces and 2 upper pieces
per slipper; remember to flip the soles over for the opposite foot). Stack the sole pieces. 

2. Place the upper pieces together, then sew the heel and the instep with a straight stitch, 3/16 inch from edge. Open,
and pin to the sole pieces, first at the heel and toe, then along the sides. Sew all the way around, through all layers,
3/16 inch from the edge. 

3. Add a decorative stitch with embroidery floss, like the X pictured on the big red slipper opposite. To add custom
fabric name tags, print them on iron-on tape using a label maker, and apply to top layer of sole before sewing slipper.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Felt Slippers - Martha Stewart Crafts