Turn your dog into a reindeer for Christmas with fabric paper.

Turn your dog into a reindeer using fabric paper.

I made this reindeer using my dogs face that is printed on fabric paper. This is really very easy and will be a decoration you’ll enjoy for yearsThis would also make a great gift for the pet lover in your life.

Materials:

  • one piece of fabric paper
  • twigs
  • small piece of soft cotton canvas
  • paint
  • stuffing

print up a picture of your mutts face using fabric paper and your printer

Step 1.

Print up a picture of your dogs face using fabric paper and your printer.  Cut it out leaving a seam allowance all the way around. I usually use a quarter inch but you might want to leave a half inch if you don’t sew a lot. That will give you a little more fabric to work with.

cut a piece of canvas fabric using your dogs face piece as a pattern put the pieces together (right sides together) and stitch around edge

Step 2.

Cut out a piece of the canvas fabric using your face piece as a pattern. Put the two pieces together (right sides together) and stitch all the way around leaving the neck edge open to turn it and for stuffing.  Turn it to outside.

poke stuffing into the open edge of the head stitch the opening closed after you stuff the head. head stitched shut

Step 3.

Stuff the head loosely through the opening at the neck as shown. Stitch it closed.

cut a body and stitch all around leaving an opening stuff the body and stitch opening shut

Step 4.

My dog is kind of long and has a big chest and skinny back end. ( He is Jack Russell and Italian Greyhound which means he is hyper and fast….) You can make your body pattern to match your dogs shape or just copy this one.  This doesn’t have to be perfect but I always draw it out on scrap paper until I’m satisfied with it.  Cut two pieces from the canvas fabric and then stitch them together (right sides together) leaving an opening to turn and stuff.  Turn to outside and stuff. Stitch opening closed.

stitch the head to the body

Step 5.

Stitch the head to the body as shown.

punch four holes in the underside of the body using an icepick or sharp pointed scissors cut four sturdy twigs and poke them in the holes you have made. secure each leg with a bit of hot glue

Step 6.

Poke four holes in the underbelly of the reindeer using a pair of sharp pointed scissors or an ice pick.  Cut four sturdy twigs and poke one in each hole. Secure with a bit of hot glue.

glue a piece of twig across the legs. This will make the legs sturdy reindeer legs made from twigs

Step 7.

Glue a twig across the legs as shown. This will stabilize the legs.

oke two holes in the top of the head and then poke twigs in the holes for antlers

Step 8.

Cut some branched twigs to use as antlers.  Poke two holes in the top of the head and then stick the twigs in the holes and secure with glue.

draw spots to match your dog then fill in with paint

Step 9.

Draw on spots to match your dog and fill in with paint. I added a ribbon collar and bell but you could also use a piece of leather for a collar and make a tag with your dogs name on it.

About Elaine Kazinec

I have never met anyone who can't make wonderful things for their homes, friends, and family, only those who think they can't. The purpose of this blog is to show everyone how really simple most projects for the home are to make. When my husband and I bought our first home we were short on cash so I learned to be long on creativity. I have been told that I can make something wonderful out of nothing and that is true. You can too! Some of my favorite things are items that I found in someone's junk pile. I am going to show you how easy it really is. I hope you find the courage to jump in and attempt some of these projects. You will be amazed at how talented you really are.