Quiet Book, Page 2 {Snakes}

So, the last few weeks have been filled with kids with colds,  me catching the flu and snow-days {which are rare when you live in the mid-Atlantic region}...and trying to get the house back into some semblance of order {we're almost there}.  Needless to say,  I didn't have much time to blog...but I'm back now & here is page 2 of our quiet book...

This "snakes" page is the most quick and easy of all the pages I put together, but has lots of value.  Use it to learn colors and patterns or to practice counting {with small children, use adult supervision, we don't want anyone choking on little felt triangles} :)
Here's how to make your own...

You will need:
8 1/2 x 11 inch piece of felt {I used purple}
green felt
red felt
felt scraps {or an assortment of colored felt}
scissors
sewing machine
needle and black thread
pins

1. Cut out your snakes, I free-handed mine by just cutting a squiggly form then squaring off the head.  If you like do a quick little sketch with a fabric pen, then cut out each snake.  My snakes measure 8 to 9 inches long, with the bodies about 1 inch wide and the head about 1 1/2 inches wide {at the widest point}

2.  Cut a 2 1/2 x 3 inch rectangle of scrap felt to use as a pocket.

3.  Arrange your pocket in the bottom corner of the page {with the widest side at the top, where the opening will be}, pin in place.  Arrange your snakes however you like and pin in place.

4. Cut a small forked tongue for each snake...make it a little longer than you would think, slip the non-forked end under the snake's head and pin in place.

5.  Using coordinating thread, use your machine to carefully stitch around each snake close to the edges.  When stitching the head, stitch over where the tongue is securing it under the head, don't worry too much if it slides a little {it gives each snake a little character if they are not perfectly centered}.  Leave the remainder of the tongue free for a little extra dimension.

6.  Machine stitch around 3 sides of the pocket.  Always be sure to back-stitch when you start and finish stitching to lock your work in place {there are few things worse than falling out stitches}

7.  Using a needle and thread sew two French knot eyes on each snake.

8. Using felt scraps in an assortment of colors cut out small triangles to decorate each snake and store in the pocket. 

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Page 1: Lion

Page 3: Hidden Flowers

Page 4: Bugs on Leaves

Page 5: Tropical Fish

Page 6: Coconut Trees

Quiet Book, page 1 {lion}

When I decided to make a quiet book for Oliver {my almost 18 month old}, I knew that I needed to do super easy, uncomplicated pages...otherwise it was never going to be finished {it's been known to happen}.  So I decided on all felt {no hemming and finishing required} and simple designs that could be easily free-handed and didn't require a pattern.

A jungle theme was decided on based on a lion that I saw on Pinterest with a ribbon mane.  But after adding up the cost of all the different ribbons that I would need to created the mane...I decided that I needed to find a new solution.  So wandering through the craft store looking for anything that would work for a mane, I found these...

fabric loops usually used to weave pot holders {remember making those as a kid? I do}.  They work perfect...they stretch and don't unravel...and cost around $3.00 for A LOT more loops than I actually needed {it looks like there is more pot holder making in my future}.

So here's how to make your own quiet book page...

Gather:

1 rectangle of felt {for the background} cut to 8.5 x 11 inches

Golden yellow felt circle measuring about 5 3/4 inches {diameter}

Colorful fabric loops

Triangle of brown felt for nose

Yellow felt ears {what ever size/shape you like}

Embroidery floss and needle

Sewing machine and thread

Fabric marker {water-soluble or disappearing ink}

Scissors

Pins

1. Start by laying out your background piece of felt.  Decide where you want your lion head to be.  You will want it slightly off center towards the bottom of the page to allow room for the mane.  Using a fabric marker draw a 5 inch circle.

2. Start arranging the loops along the drawn line.  If you want the neck to be open start near the bottom of the circle, if not you can start anywhere you like.  Using your sewing machine, stitch along the line, securing the loops.  It's easiest if you arrange the loops a few at a time, then stitch them on.  Repeat until you have a complete mane.

3. Sew another line of stitching inside of your first circle to add extra strength.  Trim the ends of the loops INSIDE the stitched circle, if you like {they will be covered by your lion's head}.

4.  Place the ears over the mane and top-stitch each.  Try to stay close to the edge, and be sure to back-stitch.

5.  Now for the face.  Using the fabric marker, draw the features {eyes, eyebrows, mouth & out-line your nose}.  You can hand stitch or machine stitch, which ever is easiest for you.  I machine stitched the eyebrows and mouth and hand-stitched French knots for the eyes.  After the eyes and mouth are stitched on, top stitch the felt nose on using the sewing machine

6. Place the lion's face over the edges of the mane and ears.  Pin in place.  Using your machine, top stitch close to the edge, completely around the full circle.

And page 1 is done!  Easy, right? :)  

Pages 2-6 coming soon & a binding tutorial to finish it off.

Page 2: Snakes

Page 3: Hidden Flowers

Page 4: Bugs on Leaves

Page 5: Tropical Fish

Page 6: Coconut Trees