Cutting out
Step 1
Trace and cut out all of the bat plush pattern template pieces. The templates include the seam allowances where necessary and the arrows indicate the print direction for marking and cutting out. The notches are used to match pieces when stitching together, so mark these too. When the pattern specifies to cut two or more of a template, after marking out half of the pieces required, the template needs to be turned over to mark out the remaining half so that the pieces are cut as mirror images.
Step 2
Draw the pattern pieces onto the wrong side (WS) of the fabric and cut out:
From Fabric A:
- Face, cut 1.
- Ear (for back of ears), cut 2.
- Back head, cut 2.
- Tummy, cut 2.
- Back body, cut 2.
From Fabric B:
- Wing (for front of wings), cut 2.
- Ear (for front of ears), cut 2.
From Fabric C:
- Wing (for reverse of wings), cut 2.
Making the wings
Step 1
Place the Fabric B wing pieces right side (RS) together, pin and then sew at the bottom along the short straight side. Press the seam open. Repeat for Fabric C wings.
Step 2
Place the two sets of wings RS together, pin then sew around the sides.
Step 3
Clip V-shaped notches in the seam allowance on the external curves, clip the internal curves and corners, and clip at the outer tip – a V-shaped notch works best at the corner on the top side of the wing. Turn the wings RS out and press.
Step 4
Transfer the stitch line markings from the template onto the wings and stitch along these lines backstitching at the start and end of your sewn lines to secure.
Step 5
Stuff the channels formed at the top and the ‘legs’ at the bottom of the wings.
Step 6
Tack the open edge closed to secure the stuffing and keep raw edges aligned.
Making the ears
Step 1
Place corresponding front and back ear pieces RS together. Pin, then sew around the outer edges. Clip the corner at the tip and clip V-shaped notches in the seam allowance around the curved side. Turn RS out and press.
Step 2
With the front of the ear facing upwards, fold the straight side over at the bottom where marked so that the edge meets the other marker. Tack the fold in place along the bottom edge.
Step 3
Repeat to make the other ear.
Creating the face
Step 1
Fold the face piece in half RS facing and sew the dart at the bottom.
Step 2
Refold the face so the end of the seam is at the top and the seam is central. Finger press the seam open, then sew across 3mm (1⁄8in) from the tip to ‘box’ the corner (shown in orange thread to highlight).
Step 3
Sew the dart at the top of the face.
Making the front body
Step 1
Place the tummy pieces RS facing, pin then sew along the front.
Step 2
Sew the bottom of the face to the top of the tummy, RS facing, taking care to match up the seams.
Step 3
With the front of the ears against the RS of the face (with the folded side at the top), tack the ears in place where marked.
Step 4
Make the smallest holes possible to allow the shank of the eye in the face pieces where marked. Fit the eyes in place following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Making the back body
Step 1
With the front of the wings against the RS of the tummy, tack the wings in place around the sides of the tummy.
Step 2
With RS facing, sew the bottom of a back head to the top of its corresponding back body piece (markers indicate correct placement). Repeat for the other side.
Step 3
Place the back body sections RS facing, pin and then sew together along the back at the top and bottom leaving an 8cm (31⁄8in) opening in the centre.
Step 4
Place the back body section on the front body section, RS facing, and fit the wings through the opening in the centre of the back body to keep them out of the way (you can pin them together as well, if preferred).
Step 5
Sew the front and back of the bat together from the top of the head all around the sides, sandwiching the wings properly in place but taking care not to trap any further parts of the wing in the seam.
Step 6
Turn RS out and stuff.
Embroidering the face
Step 1
Using an erasable pen or tailor's chalk, draw a smile on the bat’s face and backstitch over the top in purple stranded cotton. Add a French or colonial knot nostril at either side of the boxed snout. Embroider two inverted triangles in white stranded cotton on either side of the smile for fangs.
Finishing off
Step 1
Adjust any filling that has become disturbed, then close the opening in the back using ladder stitch or similar.
Step 2
Sponge or brush away any pen marks on the face to finish.
