Cuddle Buddies - Felix the Fox

Felix the Fox Cuddle(R) Blanket and Stuffie

When I spied this adorable "Cuddle Buddies" kit over at Missouri Star Quilt Co, I knew it was the perfect thing to make for my newest grandson, born just a month ago.  

Cuddle Blankets

These are so quick and easy to make!  

This little throw is made of two layers of plush fur, spray-basted together with temporary spray adhesive.  I love Odif's 505 spray - non-toxic, no smell, and holds the layers together.  It's perfect for sewing with minky.  

Trim the blanket to even out the edges, then add a binding.  The binding holds the project together permanently.  

Binding

Because Cuddle comes 60" wide there will often be leftover strips.  Rather than using cotton for binding, I use those extra strips of minky for binding.  Seams are joined with a diagonal seam to distribute the bulk as with a regular cotton binding.  

Binding is sewn to the back in a single layer, then brought to the front to finish.   

Corners are mitered, then the binding is stitched down with a serpentine stitch. 

{{  This technique using minky strips for binding is another one of those "alternate endings"
included in my new book,

Ultimate Binding & Edge-Finishing Guide for Quilting & Sewing,

coming in February -  available for pre-order now. }}

I quickly made a couple of these minky throws for the baby's older brothers.  You could make a quilt of it by adding batting between the layers.  These little throws are just right for story time, or just dragging around the house.

Felix the Fox Cuddle Buddies Kit

This cute kit came with a selection of different textured Cuddle fabrics to make the cute strip-pieced blanket, along with Kimberbell patterns for an adorable little fox to applique on the quilt, plus enough supplies to make the sweet plushie to accompany it.

Applique

Did you know you can applique' with minky?  I do not have an embroidery feature on my sewing machines, but it's simple enough to machine-stitch.  Here are a few tips.

1)  Adhere fusible web on the back.  I used Heat 'n' Bond light.

2)  Cut out the pieces from the back.  Sharp scissors are a must!  Cutting from the back makes it easy to cut just the fabric base and not the fur.

3)  Keep a vacuum handy!  The fur really flies!

4)  Iron to adhere the applique' pieces to the background using a damp press cloth.

5)  Use an open-toe foot with the needle positioned to the right which allows the toe to glide along the edge of the applique.  Stitch with a blanket or zigzag stitch.

So cute!

Cuddle Buddy

Kimberbell's pattern book to make Felix the Fox has detailed, thorough instructions.  Stitching the parts from plush fur is made easier by stitching through the paper.  

Here's another tip:  Once the seams are sewn, use a toothpick or other semi-sharp tool to pull the fur out of the seam.

The pieces were relatively simple to put together - just needed lots and lots of pins!  Oh, he's adorable!

Took a trip to the zoo with my little grandsons the other day while the weather was still nice.  The baby is a bit young for this toy, but his big brothers, ages 2 and 4, like it, and took turns playing with their new buddy!  Even met a new friend, Rusty!!

"Hi, Mr. Fox!"

Then it was the 2-year-old's turn!

Awww!

Yep, I think Gramma may need to make one or two more Cuddle Buddies!

Big thanks to the folks at Missouri Star for sponsoring this post - you can find this Cuddle Buddies kit online at their website, www.missouriquiltco.com.  << Use this link for a one-time 15% discount at checkout on your entire purchase.  

Deonn

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