Australian Homespun — October 2017

6

Machine stitch around the side

and curved top edges of each

shape, reversing at the start and end

of the stitching; leave the bottom

straight edge unstitched. Clip little V

shapes from the seam allowances at

the curves and turn the puppets right

side out. Use a blunt tool to push the

seam out gently and smoothly and

press from the back.

7

Fold under and press a^1 ⁄ 4 in hem

around the bottom edge. Repeat

this step to make it a double-fold hem

and machine stitch it in place to fi nish.

8

Play options are many: kids can

play make-believe families by

themselves or with others, or parents

can use the puppets to act out the

narrative in a storybook they’re

reading aloud for example. Have fun!

THAUMATROPE

Preparation and cutting

9

Trace the circle from the Pattern

Sheet onto paper and cut it out

carefully.

10

Trace around the circle

template twice onto cardboard

and cut these shapes out neatly.

11

Centre the circle template

on the wrong side of the two

white fabric squares and trace

around it on each one.

12

Using a lightbox or other light

source behind the pattern,

position a traced circle, right side up,

over one of the thaumatrope designs

with the outer circles matching.

Trace the design lightly with a pencil.

13

The designs have two motifs:

a bird and cage; a heart and

hand; and an elephant and water

spray (not shown). Repeat Step 12 to

trace the second motif for your

chosen design onto the other traced

fabric circle. It’s vital to position the

embroidery as shown in each of the

circles for the visual effect to work.

14

Trace the heart or the reversed

Spinning thaumatrope bird or elephant shape (provided

ALLISON’S FABRIC

TIPS The fabrics for the

nesting dolls can vary greatly,

but if they’re going to be used

standing up as a paper doll would

stand, then the fabrics need to

be a bit substantial. Canvas, drill,

denim, thick cotton or linen, fleece

and wool felt are all good choices.

They can also be made from

quilting cotton and used as dolls

and puppets of course. If you do

use thicker fabrics, clip the upper

curve to make the seams less

bulky when the shapes are turned

right side out. It’s not essential,

but it helps to minimise puckering

around the curves.

Bird on

the front

Cage on

th e b a c k

Bird in

a cage

34 Homespun

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