Then to make matters worse, I forgot about the hippos eyes! I hand-sewed the hippo's leg shut without placing the eyes. I was frantic to figure out how I was going to sew in eyes. I decided to use embroidery floss. Going through the fold in the ear to hide the starting and finished ends to tie it off seemed the only way to add eyes. They did not turn out perfect, but they sort of make my hippo have more of that hand-made feel. The eyes aren't perfect. I was ok with that. I was just happy that I figured out a way to hide the ends of the floss well enough so it looked presentable. Typically I am a perfectionist. Everything has to be perfect. I go so far to redo things a handful of times before I get it just right. I only did these eyes once.
The pattern suggested adding a felt flower to the hippo for an accent. I did not have any felt. I typically don't like using felt for anything. Felt and I do not get along. Perhaps it's the easiest thing to wok with, but I can not get anything felt to turn out cute. I opted out of the felt flower design and added my own tiny crochet flower. (I will add a picture of the flower soon, I forgot to snatch a picture of it)
There will be more stuffed animal posts to come. Next to come: Giraffe and Alligator! Hopefully soon!! And there are plans for more animals. Anyone else try to make a stuffed animal? What are your favorite patterns? Feel free to share your experiences! I am always open to some helpful tips. :) Making stuffed animals is still new to me.
Happy Crafting lovelies!