More Madras Please....

I’ve been having so much fun experimenting with different fabrics for my bears, and also expanding my repertoire to include elephants.  Now I have to actually think whether a given fabric would work better as a bear, or an elephant.  Life can be rough sometimes…. ;)

Recently, I excitedly showed one of my latest creations (an elephant) to a co-worker and was slightly disappointed with her less than enthusiastic reaction - “that’s cute, but if you want to do something REALLY cool, you should make a hippo.”  I flippantly fired back “sure, if you can find me a pattern.” 

I should have known better – I had just issued a challenge!  Within hours, I received an e-mail with links to FIVE candidate hippo patterns.  Included among them was a link to an incredibly cute hippo pattern from Funky Friends Factory: http://www.etsy.com/listing/62051926/hippo-heather-stuffed-pattern-pdf?ref=af_new_item

I had to admit that she was right – I DID need to make a stuffed hippo!  The only question now …..  which fabric to use?  Ok, that was easy actually – Madras of course! 

Meet Harris.

My first Madras hippo made from fabric from the Pottery Barn Madras bedding collection in navy.  His ears, feet and tummy are accented with a coordinating navy fabric with contrasting white stitching to match the original bedding set.  My son (my official hug tester) quickly adopted him and has declared that he will not be giving him up.  I can’t think of a better ending!!

Chevron Bear

I just love all the chevron fabrics that are finding their way into home decorating accents and accessories these days.  Maybe it’s the engineer in me, but I’m drawn to the bold, clean graphic prints.  I recently fell in love with a gray and white chevron pillow cover with a bright yellow felt flower accent from urbanfringe on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/80474117/gray-chevron-stripe-felt-flower-pillow
Unfortunately I haven’t been able to think of a good place for it in any of the rooms in my house…… yet. 

But, I couldn’t get that combination of gray and white chevron with the pop of yellow out of my head.  Finally, my neighbor suggested that I should make a bear.  The result is my Dylan bear!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/98930016/dylan-gray-and-white-chevron-fabric

My Dylan Bear

My Inspiration Piece