We designed a new pattern for the Sew Expo show in Puyallup WA and I wanted to share it with you.  It’s a little clown fish.    It’s based on the clown fish that is in Kayla’s baby blanket pattern called Whale of a Tale. See the little fish peeking through the seaweed in the bottom left corner?

It’s really easy to make – just cut two of the little fish – and trace the stripes and the eyes onto a fusible web – and then iron them to the back of the appropriate fabric, cut them out and applique them on the fish.  Sew the front and the back of the fish together, then turn it right side out and stuff it. I decided not to stuff the tail – but instead left it empty and topstitched little lines on it so the tail would wiggle when it swims. 

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Then I got thinking – why does the fish need to be orange?  So I made more using my favorite colors. 

Then I thought – why not make fun designs on the fish?  So I did.  What’s the point of being a muse if you can’t be creative?  The mission of our company is to inspire creativity in others … we’d love to see what you come up with.

The downloadable pattern is available on our website for just $3.  Just click here.  It doesn’t take much fabric – just a 10”x10” square of the primary color and 5”x5” for the stripes.  Here’s the link to the pattern.

We also have kits available – the kits are just $5 each and that includes the pattern.  If you order four kits, I will include TWO for free … so six fish for $20.  I will include one of each color so you will have a rainbow of fish – or you can send me an email and just let me know what colors you would like me to include.  If you are enjoying your time at home … perhaps this would be a perfect time to teach someone to sew. 

Be as creative as you’d like – the little pink fish is made from embossed cuddle fabric, the little light blue fish is made from dimple cuddle fabric and the little orange fish in the center is made from rose cuddle fabric so it’s got more texture – and I made a jester hat for this little clown.

Once you have made your little school of fish – you just need your fishing equipment. I used a 1/2″ round dowel that was 36″ long. We screwed a round little metal eye into the top of the dowel and attached a string through the eye. On the end of the string we attached a strong magnet – we just used electrical tape. To be able to ‘catch the fish – we just attached a small binder clip to the top fin – you can see the magnet and the binder clip on the little orange clown fish in the lower left corner

And … one more creative tip ….. Did you know you can ‘write’ with cuddle fabric? You just need to cut a strip that is 1/2″ tall and around 12″ long. This needs to be cut across the stretchy part of the fabric. Once you have cut it just pull on it as hard as you can, and get all the ‘cuddle’ dust off. It will automatically turn into a tube. You can then use the tube to ‘write’. Just use a zig zag stitch to sew the ‘writing’ in the desired location. I created the cursive L on this little fish that way.

Just one more idea …. do you have a furry feline in your house? If yes – just try adding cat nip to one of them and you have a new cat toy.

Happy Sewing,

Sheila