Patchy Produce

I spent the last several days patching and sewing a new line for my shop and had such a good time that I decided to share the instructions here for anyone that may want to give it a whirl. 

Pattern.
From left to right, tomato, apple, leaf. 
I don't have instructions for my tomato yet.  That will have to come later...for now, just the apple, orange or whatever round fruit you prefer.
It's difficult to read but the grid is a 1 inch square. 
Apple piece, cut 5.  It measures 5.75" x 2.5"
Leaf piece, cut 2

Sew right sides of apple pieces together leaving a small opening along one seam for turning right side out and for stuffing.

Stuff and use a ladder stitch to close the fruit.

Leaf.  Sew right sides together as marked on the pattern piece, turn right side out and close with a ladder stitch.

Using a doll makers needle and STURDY floss attach the leaf.  I usually start from the top.  Needle enters top (leave a long tail on the thread at the top), pass through bottom, back into the bottom, back up through the top.  Catch the leaf on the way up and tie.  If you're not accustomed to a hard tie down, an extra set of hands may be useful to hold your knot.  I generally secure 1, 2 and sometimes 3 times this way.  Dependant on the age of the child that the intended produce is for. 

Continue tying square knots until you have about an inch of knot.  Fold it over and tie it once more at the base of the knots so you have a stem. 

Re thread on to the needle and draw one set of ties to the bottom of the fruit. Repeat for 2nd set of threads.  Tie a final knot and clip threads.  A drip of fray check doesn't hurt on that final knot. 

Comments

[craftybernie]

I love your fabric apples - thanks for sharing the pattern.

I'm going to make 3 of these as end of year presents for daughter's teachers.

I specially like the way you use the fabric strips. Lovely.

An apple for the teacher x 3.

Best wishes...Bernie

[Marian]

This is fantastic! Im a wet felter but a few months ago I inherited an old sewing machine... very old. but I had no idea... still don't, but slowly Im learning. I wanted to make some "fruit" ...been looking around, and here it is! thanks for sharing!

[Holly]

How adorable. Thanks for sharing.

[La Mañosa]

What a fantastic idea! I love your apples. I found your blog via Craft Magazine--they have a link to this post for your tutorial.

[Anne]

Love it!!!! I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing Blog: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-sew-a-patchwork-apple/2009/03/27/
--Anne

[Corey]

Thank you for this! I made one for my kids' teacher and blogged it here: http://nevertoomuchfabric.blogspot.com/2009/05/teacher-appreciation-week.html

[miranda]

Thank You!!!! I was looking for a tutorial of apples!!! Seen them alot, but did not know how... wil try it soon!

[Term Papers]

I read a lesson at school. There is no such thing like useless. Its depend on us that how we use the useless things. In this post with pieces of cloth, you made an apple.

[Michael]

nice tutorial. thanks for sharing,
http://www.jobspert.com

[Jordans Sneakers]

The sea can accommodate all, so we just to see the sea, our heart is infinitely more freedom and broad!