Calico Babushka Copyright © 2002 Zart Art

How To:

Each Babushka has been sewn with polyester thread and reinforced at stress points for added strength.

With cutting, filling and some simple stitching completed, students are free to dress and decorate their Babushka in a variety of ways.

MATERIALS  - Construction of the Babushka

Cream sewing thread

Sharp sewing needle

Long handled paintbrush (for filling)

Sharp scissors

Polyester filling – approx 250g per Babushka

Decoration and dressing - could include the following:

Fabric markers, paints, crayons, dyes

Sequins, glass beads, bugle beads

Felt, fabric

METHOD

MARKING & TRIMMING THE SEAMS
Draw a cutting line all around the Babushka about 5 mm out from the stitching line.

Using sharp scissors and taking care not to cut the stitching, cut along this line.

When you get to the filling hole, leave an extra 1cm of fabric along its border.

Now very carefully snip the fabric inwards towards the seams on all the bends and corners.   (This helps to give the Babushka a smooth edge when it is turned right side out.)

TURNING OUT

To turn the Babushka, pull the fabric through the filling hole.

Gently work the seams with your fingers to make them sit flat, especially the arms, head and feet seams.

DECORATION

Once you have decided where you want the face to sit on the head shape, draw in the face with fabric markers or use fabric paint with a fine brush.  Use a black fabric marker to outline design of Babushka’s costume back and front and fill in design with fabric paint. Add beads, braid or other adornments by stitching or gluing.

THE FEET

Use the end of a paintbrush to push a small amount of filling into the feet, working it right into the seams with your fingers.  With a doubled sewing thread and sharp needle, stitch along the base of the feet with small stitches.

FILLING THE BABUSHKA

Use the end of a paintbrush to push the filling into the Babushka.  Begin with the body and arms and work towards filling the hole until the Babushka is plump and firm.  Fold the raw edge of the filling hole in and stitch the hole with small, firm stitches.