Ducklings in a Row Instructions

Ducklings in a Row Tutorial
By Gail Cerva (The Fairy Gardener Quilts Too!)
Copyright 2014

 

Materials needed (for one duckling)

·         Pattern for body, wings,  feet and bill 

·         Frixion marking pen or water-soluble marking pen.

·         8 x 5 inch square of fabric for each duckling (I used cotton flannel)

·         One 2-inch pc. of stiffened felt (for duckling feet)

·         One 1-inch pc. of regular felt for the beak.

·         1-2 oz. of Polyester stuffing

·         2 6-mm round black seed beads for eyes

·         Tacky Glue and / or low melt glue gun.

·         Sewing machine recommended but can also be hand-sewn.

·         OPTIONAL:   Feathers

Instructions:

1)       Pre-wash and press fabric if using cotton flannel as this will shrink the fabric slightly and make it sturdier to sew and stuff.  Fold fabric right sides together so that there are two layers and trace the pattern for the wings and duckling body onto the wrong side of the fabric, leaving enough space between the pattern pieces to separate them, but do not cut out the pieces.  It’s easier to sew if you do not cut them out first.    Placing a pin through both layers will help hold them together.

2)      For the duckling’s bill, cut a 7/8” circle or trace the bill template onto regular (soft) orange felt and fold it in half.   Insert the half circle with the folded side up, about midway in the duckling’s head and into the seam allowance. Set your sewing machine stitch to a straight stitch with the length of 2. 

 

3)      Sew on the line that you traced around the pattern.   Leave a small opening (about 1 & ½ inches long) on the bottom of the duckling for turning.  (It will be easier to close up this opening later, if it’s not on a curved edge).

4)      After sewing around the pattern, trim the seam allowance to approximately 1/8 of an inch and clip the indentation where the neck and head join.  Clip only to the stitching line.   I find that it sometimes helps me see where I’m clipping better if I turn the piece to the unmarked side because I can see the stitches without the drawn lines.

5)      Now turn your duckling right side out.  You may only be able to insert one finger into the duckling’s head.  Use another finger to gently push the head into the body while you reach inside to pull the head out.  When the duckling is turned right side out roll the seams between your fingers and use a point turner to make sure that edges are nice and smooth.  Press lightly

6)      Next, sew around the edge of the wings and trim the edges to about 1/8”.  You do not need to turn the wings if you are using a solid color fabric, but if you want, you can make a small slit on only one side of the wing and insert a small amount of batting. 

7)      Stuff the duckling firmly, adding small pieces of stuffing at a time.  This can be kind of tedious but if you stuff using large clumps of polyester, your duckling will be lumpy and / or  floppy.  Adding small pieces at a time and really packing them in will give you a nicer finish.

 

 

8)       Once you’re satisfied with the way your duckling looks, you can sew up the opening on the bottom using matching thread and a ladder stitch or whatever hand stitch you prefer. 

9)      Using matching thread, sew the black 4 mm seed beads to either side of the ducklings head for eyes.  Sew securely through both sides when attaching the beads.  Tie off and bury the knot in the head seam.

10)   To add “downy edges” to wings, tails and head, Strip some of the downy from the purchased turkey feathers.  I used Tacky Glue to attach small bits to the edge of the wings, tail and/or top of the head.  I varied this for each duckling.   See photos for suggestions.  Attach wings to duckling using the low melt glue gun.  I don’t recommend using the glue gun to attach the feathers.

11)   Cut out web feet and fold on points.  Use the glue gun to attach the feet on the bottom of the duckling.  Place one foot slightly ahead and pointing outwards, the other slightly behind and slightly back.  This will help the duckling stand

Finally, tie a ¼” width ribbon around each duckling’s neck and make a bow.  You can personalize the ducklings by adding feathers to the crowns of their heads or purchased miniature  straw hats .  You can also make a "PRIM" version like the duckling above.   These little guys would look cute marchwill generate lots of "Awws" and "Oohs" marching across your Easter table.  Use them to decorate your spring wreath.  You can also use them as baby shower favors, just attach a net bag filled with small candies.