Stick zebra

I thought a stick horse would be a fun project. Then, as I was perusing for fabric, I thought, “Every kid has a stick horse. But how many have a stick ZEBRA?” I decided to get a little whimsical with the concept. Of course, you can always go for a more traditional horse or even use our Cowboy fabric for an unusual one. A fun, fluffy trim makes a great mane!

Supplies

 

(Click fabrics for direct links for purchase at Warehouse Fabrics Inc.)

Zebra Breeze/Linen

Fluffy trim

Felt for eyes

Large dowel or old broomstick

Poly stuffing

Something to tie around base of head

Tacky Glue
Half a yard each of fabric and trim (for mane) did the trick. Make the eyes out of felt or buttons or anything you want. Dowels can be found at any craft store or you can use an old broomstick. I used this suede “string” to help secure the neck of the horse to the dowel, but you can use ribbon or rope.

The pattern

 

stickzebra1 stickzebra2 stickzebra3 stickzebra4
Print each of those PDFs with no scaling. You will cut off or fold the borders along the lines and tape together so that the letters match. There will be three pages across and then one page underneath. Just match the letters and you’ll see. Then cut out your pattern.

Cut 2 of the horse head
Cut 4 of the ears
Cut 2 of the inner ears on the dotted lines out of brown felt
Cut 2 of each of the eye pieces

The process

 

Using a tight zigzag stitch, sew the inner ear to one of the ear pieces (you don’t have to sew the bottom). Repeat on other ear.
Right sides together, place the ear pieces you just sewed with the backs of the ears and sew along the sides, but not the bottom.
Trim the seam allowances. Turn right-side out and press.
Top stitch along the sides.
Sew the brown piece of felt to the white piece as shown using a short zigzag stitch. Then sew the whole eyeball to one side of the face using the same type of stitch. I went around twice. 

Repeat on other side.

Baste the ear to the ear dart as shown, keeping in mind which way the inner ear should face.
Close the dart and sew at a 1/2″ seam allowance, tapering toward the dot at the bottom of the dart. Repeat on other side.
This is what it looks like from the right side.
Baste the mane to the top and back of the head.
Place the two sides of the head right-sides together and pin. Sew with a 1/2″ seam allowance, leaving the bottom of the neck open.
Turn right-side out. It will be a tight squeeze through that skinny neck. This part might make you a little mad.
Stuff with the stuffing and then insert the stick. Add a little more stuffing and some glue. Fold under the raw bottom edge of the neck. Glue as much as needed to secure. Then take some sort of cord or ribbon and wrap around the bottom a bunch of times. Tie to secure. 

Ride off into the wild.

Other views

 

(Click for bigger views)