Autumn Leaves Feathered Friend

We're putting our #PSLwithPBS game bundles to work this week! 

We're letting our Thanksgiving spirit shine by sharing three quick projects made using those fun fall palettes from our Painter's Palette Solids collection. 

(See Monday's Harvest Tones Leaf Runner here and Tuesday's Modern Fall Give Thanks Banner here.)

It's the day before Thanksgiving! You might not be plucking a turkey today, but you can make its stitched cousin with a lot less work! Chicken may not be the most popular bird at Thanksgiving, but this stuffed cutie can hang out all fall without worrying about that big day in November! 

We used these Painter's Palette Solids:

This chicken, which can serve as decor or be stuffed with pellets to work as a door stopper (or even a large pincushion!) was designed by Diane Arganbright, who graciously agreed to let us share it here. 

Let's get started!

You'll Need:
Six fat quarters (Paprike, Ash, Claret, Old Gold, Jack O'Lantern, Pencil Yellow) 
Fusible web
Fiberfill
Two buttons for eyes

Cutting:
From the Old Gold:
Two 10" squares (for body)

From the Paprika:
Two 4" x 11" strips

From the Claret: 
Two 4" x 5" pieces

From the Jack O'Lantern:
One 9-1/2" square

From the Ash:
One 7-1/4" square

From the Pencil Yellow:
One 5" square

From the fusible web:
One 4" x 11" piece
One 4" x 5" piece

Download the template pieces here. Print one copy. 

Making the Chicken:
Step 1: Adhere the 4" x 11" fusible web strip between the two 4" x 11" Paprika strips. Fuse the 4" fusible web square between the two 4" Claret squares. Cut out the template shapes. Trace two wings onto the Paprika and one comb and one beak onto the Claret using a fabric marking pen. 

Step 2: Cut out the shapes. 

Step 3: Find the center of each 10" Old Gold Square. Pin a wing near the center point of each.

Step 4: Use a buttonhole stitch to secure the top curved edge of the wing to the Old Gold Square. 
Step 5: Position the beak 2" from the left corner as shown. Position the comb 1" from the top left corner as shown. Baste both in place. 

Step 6: Layer the second Old Gold square with wing on top, right sides together. Stitch along the left side (securing beak) and the top edge. On the bottom edge, stitch 2" in from each corner. 

Step 7: Fold the 9-1/2" Jack O'Lantern square in half diagonally and then in half diagonally again to create a triangle with two folded edges. 

Step 8: Repeat with the 7-1/4" Ash square and the 5" Pencil Yellow square. 

Step 9: Stack the triangles, matching raw edges, and baste. 

Step 10: Pull the chicken so the seams align, with the comb on top. Tuck the tail triangles inside, also facing up. Align the center of tail long edge with the two seams. Pin in place. 

Step 11: After the tail is pinned in place, pin the bottom body edge as well. Sew along this edge, securing the tail between the two body sections. 

Step 12: Turn right side out through the remaining opening. 

Step 13: Stuff with fiber fill to desired firmness. Whipstitch the opening closed. Add black buttons for eyes. 

Enjoy!

Our chicken was romancing this ceramic chicken. :) 

We hope you enjoyed our Thanksgiving Day themed tutorials this week using our Painter's Palette Solids!
Wishing you and your family a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving!