Patchwork Scottie Dog

What You Need:

• 84 3-inch squares of cotton fabric in different patterns and colors (fat quarter bundles from the fabric store work great)
• Design template
• Sewing needle
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Polyester fiberfill stuffing
• 2 buttons
• Iron

What You Do:

1. Following the design template, use a sewing machine to sew each of the six columns that form the dog’s body. You will place each square back-to-back with the fabric pattern on the inside, and continue adding the number of squares needed for each column.
2. When the six columns are complete, sew them all together according to the design template (it may help to iron the seams flat). Again, place the fabric together with the pattern on the inside. You will now have one complete side of the dog’s body.
3. Repeat the above process for the other side of the dog’s body, but this time with the design facing the opposite direction (the dog’s nose will be to the right, not the left).
4. In the same manner, sew 30 squares into one long column.
5. Now it’s time to sew the column of squares to the dog’s body. Choose one side of the dog’s body to start with (it doesn’t matter which one). Starting with the tail, align the first square of the column to the first square of the tail, pattern sides facing in, and sew them together.
6. Continue sewing the column to the dog’s body, making sure that the seams match up. Each square in the column should be aligned with a square on the dog’s body.
7. Now take the other side of the dog’s body and, starting with the tail, match the squares up to the column in the same way and sew them together one by one–but this time, leave the last three squares unsewn. At this point the sewing can get tricky, so take your time, think about how each part will fit together, and go slowly. Remember, if you make a mistake, you can easily pull out the stitches and correct the problem!
8. Turn the dog right-side-out so the right side of the fabric pattern is showing. Take small handfuls of the stuffing and place inside the dog, making sure to fill out every corner. It may be helpful to use a long knitting needle or stick to push the stuffing into the edges.
9. Once your dog is fully stuffed, sew the remaining squares by hand to close up the body.
10. Sew a button on each side of the dog’s face where you want the eyes to be.