Fabric Mushroom Tutorial

This past year, I've been a bit obsessed with recreating fun and whimsical things from nature. Whether it's the mushroom pincushions, the recycled fabric owls, pixie costumes, and so many more things that have never made it to a shop. So, while I was on vacation, I had an idea to incorporate some mushrooms into my pixie hats and maybe even the tiaras.

The idea for making these cute little mushrooms were inspired by my mom (she makes all the yo-yos for our crowns and feathered headbands). I plan on replacing the fleece with recycled wool felted sweaters so that I can felt dots on to them. Stitching fleece dots didn't give me the look I wanted and sewing french knots on the top was cute - but still not the look I wanted.

Anyhow, while I am playing around with the details for my actual costumes, I thought I might offer these in the store as play food for kids. I also thought it would a nice tutorial to share here on my blog. They are really easy, fast and the result is so rewarding... you'll get addicted to making them, I'm sure. I'm hoping you are able to click on the photos to enlarge them. If not and you have a question about a step, please just ask.

Materials:
Scrap fleece (or wool)
Scrap cotton
Thread

Step 1: Cut a circle from the fleece. The one I used to demonstrate was three inches and made a slightly larger mushroom than I was making previously... I think my previous circles were 2.5 inches. But I cut them freehand, so I can't be sure. Save the scraps!

Step 2: Place the fleece circle on top of the cotton (cotton should be facing up) leaving at least half an inch around the edges.

Step 3: Stitch around the circle stopping with about an inch to two inches remaining (I used a zig zag stitch because I like the look of it when the mushroom is complete). Drop the needle so that the fabric doesn't move.

Step 4: Take the fleece scraps you made from cutting the circle and stuff them under the fleece. You don't need a lot, just enough to give it some depth. The amount of scraps you stuff will also depend on how firm you want your mushroom.

Step 5: Complete the stitch around the circle, enclosing the scraps inside.

Step 6: Trim the cotton around the circle about half an inch to three quarters of an inch from the fleece.

Step 7: Cut another scrap of fleece for the stem. I make it with the bottom slightly longer than the top so that when rolled, the bottom is a little wider than the top (see step 7 for example).

Step 8: Tightly roll the fleece starting with the longest side.

Step 9: Hand stitch the edge closed to form the stem. I start from the bottom of the stem and work my way up to the top, knotting it... but not cutting the thread.

Step 10: Trim the ends of the stem so that they are flat on both sides.

Step 11: Sew the stem onto the bottom side of the mushroom cap placing it in the center. Do not sew through all layers... just the cotton layer. Tie it off and cut it.

Step 12: The mushroom should look like picture 12 with the stem attached to the center, and the top of the mushroom showing no stitches.

Step 13: Start yo-yoing around the underside of the mushroom. When I yo-yo, I turn the edge about an eighth to a quarter of an inch and loosely stitch around the edge. (If you don't know how to make a yo-yo, here's a link - they also sell little gadgets to help... but I find them more cumbersome).

Step 14: As you pull the thread tighter, you will see the mushroom start to form and the fleece start to pull over the edge.

Step 15: Tie off the thread and pull it through the mushroom to cut so that the thread does not show. You might have to work the mushroom cap a bit with your fingers to straighten out the yo-yo stitches.

And you now have a fabric mushroom! I'd love to hear if you make these, how the tutorial worked for you and what you did with them when you were done - pictures would be even better! Have fun!

** Note - some of the mushrooms in the photo were made while I was on the road. Since I couldn't use a machine, I hand stitched the fleece on to the cotton. It worked fine, but I prefer the look of the zig-zag stitch.