Hey everybody – Robin here from Craft Sisters™ . I thought you might like to build some sock monkey appliqués. Erin Michael’s Santa’s Little Helper line is irresistible and I’m excited to share my first Moda Bake Shop recipe using this adorable fabric.
I appliquéd Sock Santa, Modaelf, and Rudolpharilla to a quilt as a gift for my grand daughter’s first Christmas. These appliqués would be cute on bibs, nappy covers, a little shirt, bags… whatever you can think of. The appliqué characters print out at about 8” tall but could easily be re-sized using a photocopier. Have fun with these!
Note: Use appliquéd or embroidered eyes and earrings if you are gifting to a small child (buttons are choking hazards).
1 Santa’s Little Helpers charm pack – This is more than you need but you’ll have a lot to choose from
3 Santa’s Little Helpers Fat quarters, one each in brown, red and green monkey skin
1 Fat quarter Moda white or white on white dot for beards, hat trims etc. or scraps from your stash
1yd Paper-backed fusible webbing
Matching thread for applying appliqués
Applique patterns included in Printer Friendly Version at the bottom of the post
Contrasting embroidery floss if you decide to do any hand stitching (optional)
Tear away or wash away stabilizer for satin stitching (optional)
Small craft iron (optional)
Step 1 – Trace reversed pattern pieces on to the paper side of fusible webbing.
Step 2 – For a softer appliqué, cut out the centers of the larger pieces (leave about 1/4” inside the line, similar to seam allowance). Leave extra around the outside too to make the piece a little more stable and the paper easier to peel away. Then fuse to the wrong side of appliqué fabric pieces. Be sure to let it cool before you cut it out and try to peel the paper away. The paper comes off much easier.
Step 3 – Trace the details.
Using a window or light box, tape pattern down. Place each fabric shape over the right side of the placement guide version of the pattern and trace details (facial features, etc.) on to the right side of the fabric shapes so you can easily see to stitch later.
You can create your own makeshift light box by putting a flashlight under your clear plastic, sewing table. Line up the fabric shape over the pattern on the table, turn on the light and trace away.
Step 4 – Assemble the appliqué.
Slide the paper placement guide under an appliqué-pressing sheet and use it as a placement guide.
Place antlers under the bow, collar under the muzzle and mouth and Rudolpharilla’s head
under the top of the muzzle. The overlap can be anywhere from1/8” to 1/4”.
1/4” is easier to peel off of the pressing sheet.
Step 5 – Join the edges.
Lightly fuse the appliqué where edges join/overlap.
A small craft sized iron can be helpful with this if you have one.
Let the assembled appliqué cool a bit and gently lift/peel it off of the pressing sheet.
Step 6 – Fuse the appliqués to the background of your choice and they are ready to stitch.
Step 7 – Stitch the appliqués to the background.
Use your favorite stitch or a combination of stitches to secure the appliqués and make their faces come alive. I used a combination of machine stitches on all the characters including satin stitch, blind hem, and straight stitch. The big blanket stitch (my personal favorite) was added by hand with embroidery floss.
Three darling sock monkey appliqués for your favorite project!
Robin Nelson
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