"But it is all the way in Japan and I am in America. What can I do? Oh! I know! I can make a pillow! Always With You! Here is what you will need:"
- Heart shape on paper for a pattern (you can draw or print or trace one). Make it a little bigger than you want the heart!
- 1 square of craft felt (for bear-scale pillow)
- Thread to match the felt
- Sewing needle
- White acrylic craft paint and small paintbrush (a fabric paint pen might work, but test first) OR embroidery floss and needle
- Stuffing
"It is also nice to have:"
- Elastic or elastic bands
- A few pins or clothespins
- Acrylic craft paint or embroidery floss in tan, pink, or gray-green
- Cut out 2 matching heart shapes from felt.
- Add words using paint or embroidery floss. I think paint actually looks nicer and it is so much easier!
"(The Japanese says "Zutto issho!" which is "Always together!" Oh, and the dress and sweater were not made by me OR my human. But they are so cute!)"
"If you are using elastic:"
- I tied the elastic to make sure it was a good size for my paws. This should work on an S-sized plush too. (I am SS-sized!)
- Put the part that will be the handles in-between the hearts.
- Sandwich the heart pieces together. The word sides must be on the INSIDE! The parts of the elastic that will be the handles need to be on the INSIDE!
- Pin or clip the pieces together. Leave a space on one side that you will not sew. (Stay away from the bottom tip. Don't do like I did!)
- Sew almost all the way around, but leave a hole of a few inches. You can use a machine if you want.
- Turn the heart inside out!
- Rip up your stuffing into itty little fluffy clouds. Stuff it into the heart!
- When you are happy with your pillow, shove the stuffing away from the opening. Fold the edges of the opening inside and pin or clip them together.
- Stitch the side. A tiny whip stitch is good!
- SQUISH the pillow so all the stuffing is even. And you are done!!!
"Zutto issho! Um, ignore that rolled up rug, OK?"
