I don’t think there’s any way to explain why I now have a giant batik turtle. It does have a purpose other than being adorable – extra seating for the living room.
The pattern is Dudley by McKenna Ryan, from her Sea Breeze collection. I flat out refuse to call mine Dudley, because it makes me think of Harry Potter’s tormentor. My turtle did turn out big and round, so maybe I’ll rethink my refusal of the name Dudley.
For the head and the top of the flippers I used this awesome batik with turtles on it. That makes this project extra turtley.
As a cruel prank, I flipped the turtle over so you can see the tummy and the underside of the flippers. Yet another cool batik, this one with coral print. Flippers were flailing. I flipped it back over.
The eyeballs are appliqued onto the head. For added interest, and because I thought this turtle looked tired and/or mysterious, I gave it hooded eyelids. From certain angles the turtle looks angry.
This is the turtle shell draped over my sewing machine. Do not worry – no turtles were harmed to provide this picture. The shell is approximately 34″ diameter, so awkward doesn’t begin to touch what it was like to make the top shell. It has darts, which allowed me to make my turtle extra fat.
The opening I left to stuff this monster is pinned right now. Since I stuffed it more than recommended, I want to try it out on the floor before I sew it shut. I still have the option to slim it down, but I want to make sure it will keep a butt off the floor.
Little Dorito is not quite sure what to think of this fatty. She finished all her puppy shots, so this was her very first day going out to play in the yard. She will probably expect giant batik animals every day now.
This is the face of a very happy little girl. She loves her new playground. Now I just have to make sure she doesn’t pee on the turtle.
handmade by Carole Carr 