Bunny Print Out Doll
by Lee Menconi-Steiger
Bunny Doll
You can print this bunny out on fabric on your own printer, then stitch and stuff him.

This is analmost-practically free pattern. You don't have to send money, but if you make the bunny, please e-mail me with your answers to the questions at the end of this page. Thanks!

Materials you will need:
*stuffing
*one light-colored pipecleaner
*tan or white thread
*one piece of cotton or cotton blend fabric, 8-1/2" x 11"
*one piece of freezer paper (from the plastic wrap and foil section of the grocery store), 8-1/2" x 11" (I understand that freezer paper is hard to come by in Australia, but someone mentioned that copier paper there comes wrapped in something similar. I've also had luck smearing glue stick over a piece of plain paper, and ironing that to the fabric.) Or, you can purchase special backed fabric for some printers.

Tools you will need:
iron, printer, sewing machine, scissors, hand needle, turning tools

Disclaimer: Some printers may not... er... respond well to printing on fabric. Mine sometimes makes a dreadful noise and jams. And bits of thread and lint from the fabric may cause printer problems now or later. You might wish to contact the manufacturer of your printer for their recommendations. That said, proceed at your own risk; I am not responsible for any problems you may have with your printer (or your sewing machine, for that matter!)

*Read all the directions (or print them out) before proceeding.

*Place the back of the fabric against the shiny side of the freezer paper. Using a dry iron on medium heat, press the fabric to the freezer paper. (Iron from the fabric side so you can get out any bumps and lumps). Machine baste around all edges of the fused fabric/paper. Most people skip this step, but my printer demands it. You can try it both ways, and use whichever works for you.

*If you aren't certain which side of the paper your printer prints on, do this test: Make an "X" on one side of a sheet of plain paper. Place this paper in the paper tray or slot, with the "X" facing you. Print something on the paper.
Did the print come out on the side with the "X"? Then your printer prints the top side of the paper. If it printed the unmarked side of the paper, it prints the bottom side of the paper.

*Remove all loose threads and lint from the fused fabric/paper.
*Set your printer to "envelope" or "thick paper" if it has such a setting.
*Place the fused fabric/paper in the paper tray or slot so the fabric side will be printed.

*How to print depends on your computer and the internet browser you have, but try this: Look for the word "File" near the upper left hand corner of your screen. Click on that. A pull-down menu will appear. Click on the word "Print", and a new menu will appear. Look for "Copies" or "number of copies" and make sure "1" is specified. Click on "OK", and it should start printing.

*Okay, you're ready. Go to the pattern and print it out. Click on your browser's "Back" button to return to these instructions when you're done, then scroll down to these big purple stars to continue.
* * * * * * *
How'd it go? You should have both sides of the doll printed out on a single piece of fabric.

*Remove the paper (it can be re-used if you remove it carefully). Don't cut out the bunny.

*Fold the fabric in half, then hold it up to a light or against a window (during the day, when there's light outside), and match up the register marks (those little crosses all over). Pin securely.

*Machine stitch around the bunny, just inside the color, leaving about an inch open to turn and stuff. Trim seams to about 1/4", and clip the curves and angles. Turn right side out.

*Finger press the ears flat (that means get them as wide and smooth as you can). Cut the pipecleaner in half, then fold each half in half. Insert the folded end of each into an ear, and adjust to the shape of the ear. Carefully machine stitch across the bottom of each ear, securing the ends of the pipecleaner.

*Stuff the feet, legs, and head, then the body. Ladder stitch the opening closed. Pose the ears and he's ready for Springtime!

*Most printer inks are not washable (get them wet and they run), so keep your bunny dry (for the same reason, he's not suitable for a child or pet that will chew on him). And most inks will also fade in the sunlight, so keep him out of the window.

Copyright Lee Menconi-Steiger 1999. You may make as many of these bunnies as you like for yourself or gifts.

Questionnaire
If you make the bunny doll, please help me refine this new technique by e-mailing me with your answers to these questions.

See *below for a quick way to copy the questions into an e-mail message.

1) Did you enjoy making the bunny? And did his eyes come out bright or medium green?
2) Did you have any trouble understanding the directions?
3) How tall did your bunny come out (including ears)?
4) Have you printed fabric from your computer before?
5) Have you printed a doll from your computer before?
Where did you find it? (Is anybody else doing this?)
6) What kind of computer did you use--Windows or Mac or ?
7) What browser (Internet program such as Netscape or AOL) did you use?
8) What kind of printer did you use?
9) Any other comments you'd like to share?

Thanks for taking the time to let me know!
Lee

*You can copy text in most Windows and Mac programs by using your left mouse button to highlight it, then hold down the "Ctrl" button (apple button on a Mac) and press the letter "C". Move your cursor to where you want to insert the text, then hold down the Ctrl/apple button and press the letter "V" to paste the text into the letter. Then you can type your answers into the letter. Send me an e-mail by clicking here



Site Map
Patterns
The
Wild West
Long Ago &
Far Away
Fantasy, Myth
& Legend
New Dolls
1998
HOME
Write
Me