Rice chicks
These are great fun to make as well as being super easy ?… And of course could be another project to get the kids involved with! They are perfect for using with patchworking and quilt making as weights and if you want to use them as pin cushions just replace the rice with all stuffing. You can also use dried peas if you prefer. These are not meant for children to play with, however if you want to make them kiddyproof you can fill them with toy filling and triple stitch everything!
All you need is a scrap of fabric 18 x 8 cm and another the same size for the lining. A small amount of dried rice and an even smaller amount of stuffing! Plus a titchy piece of red felt for the comb & wattle and a yellow piece for the beak.
Pin the felt pieces as I have, with them facing inwards and on one corner of the fabric then fold in half. You will have to repin making sure each piece of felt is lined up with the edge of the fabric (see photos)
Then stitch across the top and down the right hand side making sure you catch the little felt bits before turning the right side out.
Push half of the stuffing into the chick and pour in the rice until just over half full then put the rest of the stuffing on top.
Gently squeeze down the rice and fold so that the seam is now in the middle, so you now have a triangle not a square and put a pin in to stop the rice seeping out. Then tuck the raw edges into each other and sew the opening closed either by machine or hand sew.
You can add a little button each side of the head to create a pair of eyes if you prefer but I prefer to leave it as it is.
Thats it….job done now you can use it as you see fit ?