DIY Puffies

Have you seen those cute, soft little fluffy embellishments available for cards and scrapbooks? They are so sweet, but sometimes it is hard to find ones that coordinate perfectly with what you are making. Or they have only a single item that is right for your project and you are stuck with a bunch that go to waste. Using digital products allow you to have perfectly coordinated supplies without having unwanted leftovers.

SUPPLIES

DIGITAL KITS – A BUSHEL AND A PECK BY SARAH JONES, BRADY’S ROOM BY WISHING WELL CREATIONS
BLUMENTHAL CRAFTER’S IMAGES PHOTOFABRIC COTTON TWILL
INKJET PRINTER
FELT
SEWING MACHINE OR NEEDLE AND EMBROIDERY FLOSS
POLYFILL STUFFING AND/OR FUSIBLE BATTING
CARD STOCK

Begin by choosing some simple elements from the digital kit. I say simple because it is easier to stitch around smooth edges rather than fussy, complicated ones. I picked some sweet animals from BRADY’S ROOM BY WISHING WELL CREATIONS, and an apple from A BUSHEL AND A PECK BY SARAH JONES. I made them about two inches in height so they would fit well on a greeting card but they can be made just about any size. Follow the printing directions on the package of photofabric.

Cut out the images leaving about a 1/4 inch margin around the image.

There are two different looks you can achieve depending on which type of batting is used. First I will show how to get a flatter, quilt type of look. Trim a piece of iron-on batting so that is fits right inside the image and iron it onto the wrong side.

Place the image batting side down onto the felt and pin in place.

Using either a machine or needle and embroidery floss, stitch around the edge of the image just inside the margin along the actual image. I used a small stitch (a two on my machine) and went slowly. Not difficult – it just takes some patience. Trim the felt leaving a thin overhang around the image. I also stitched around the inner part of the apple on this one to enhance the quilted effect.

This gives a puffed but still a bit flat piece.

Alternatively, if you want something with a bit more dimension, try this technique. Place the image directly on to the felt without adding the iron on batting. Stitch and trim as on the apple. Turn the image to the felt side and make about a 1 inch vertical cut of the felt only.

Add a little bit of polyfill until it is as puffy as you like. I used the end of a paint brush to sort of push in the stuffing to the edges. Do it gently so as not to push through the felt.

Sew up the back.