Love with a Twist: Responsible Rabbit

Happy Mother’s Day!

A quick post to wish you a very blessed Mother’s Day. To all the mothers, and to those who fulfil the role of a motherly carer in someone’s life, thank you. If this is a tough day for you in any way, I also especially acknowledge you and wish you a double dose of blessings and much comfort.

Mother’s Day can be a complicated occasion for some, and in my house too. This year Paul and I decided to celebrate alone with our kids early on Mother’s Day Eve to try to uncouple our own parenting adventures from some of our other extended family tensions, needs and losses. It was very enjoyable and relaxed and, importantly, simple. A smart choice that “filled my cup”, and one that is helping me be more gracious today than I have felt on some past Mother’s Days. I even found more joy in preparing this Mother’s Day themed post last night than I expected. All good things. 🙂

So, as promised, to mark the occasion of Mother’s Day and to celebrate mums everyday, we have another Love with a Twist appliqué pattern release. A loving mother rabbit to go with Friday’s baby rabbit balloon block. No matter how your day pans out today, I hope this little gift gives you a smile and a warm moment. I made it for you, my quilting friend.

About the Love with a Twist Mummy Rabbit Balloon Appliqué Bonus Block

Responsible Rabbit is a bonus block. That means it doesn’t have a formal place in the original Love with a Twist throw size quilt design. If you are making a throw size version of Love with a Twist, you are welcome to collect and use it as a substitute block or to create a pillow or a bag etc.

On the other hand, if you are making the twin size quilt, you will need this appliqué to combine with baby Rascally Rabbit to create the bottom right rabbit block. Everything you need to know about the Rascally Rabbit part of this combo can be found in Friday’s post.

Download your Rascally Rabbit pdf pattern here

The just-sensible-enough-but-still-fun mummy bunny appliqué pattern can be downloaded here. Clicking on the balloon rabbit appliqué picture directly below will download in a new tab. Using the red button will open the pdf right here under your nose.

**** It is really important that you print this pdf at 100%, otherwise your pattern pieces will be the wrong size for the quilt blocks. Turn off any “fit to page” options in your printer dialog and ensure that the printout size is set to 100%. There are check boxes supplied in the document. If your printout is successful, these will measure 1″ square. The document is designed to fit on US Letter and A4 paper. ****

What you will need to make the (raw-edge appliqué) Responsible Rabbit block:

If you have not pre-constructed your quilt top, you will need background fabric for your appliqué. To make the two-rabbits block for the twin size quilt you will need a background fabric piece of 17.5″ x 11″. This measurement does not include any trimming allowance.

You will also need:

• one main fabric for the rabbit’s body, approx. 8″ x 10″. My bunny was made from Island Batik fabrics from the Ditty collection, given to me by Island Batik.
• scraps of white and black fabrics for the eye and nose
• fusible paper-backed fabric adhesive , approx. 8″ x 10″
• thin batting for trapunto or your favourite stabiliser for stitching (optional)
• general tools and notions: sewing machine, iron etc, teflon ironing sheet or non-stick paper, small sharp scissors, pencil, quilting pins, grease-proof/tracing paper, machine embroidery or sewing threads for appliqué and embroidery

How to put together the Mummy Rabbit Balloon Appliqué

Trace your appliqué shapes directly onto the backing paper of your fusible adhesive. Fuse the shapes to the back of your fabric, according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Then cut out each shape and remove the backing papers. They go together the same as Rascally Rabbit, except they are larger and in mirror image.

Step 1

Assemble the 2-page layout diagram supplied and cover with an ironing sheet/non-stick paper. Position appliqué pieces R10, R11 and R12 in place and secure them temporarily by touching them briefly with the tip of a hot iron (or tack down with a small appliqué iron).

Step 2

Add piece R13.

Step 3

Add the rabbit’s hind leg by placing down piece R15. Add head piece R14.

Step 4

Add the second foreleg, piece R16.

Step 5

Finish the bunny’s face by adding the cheek (piece R17).

Step 6

Finish Responsible Rabbit’s main shape with her ear, R18.

Step 7

Finish up with the eye and nose details.

Use tracing paper to mark the positions of the eye and nose as described in the tutorial for the balloon poodle (step 6) if you need help getting them into place.

Step 8

Give your appliqué a thorough pressing and transfer to your background fabric. Position the mummy and baby rabbits facing each other with noses touching.

Stitch your appliqué bunnies down using your favourite method. The sample I have shown uses free-motion straight stitching over a low-loft polyester batting. I layer my appliqué over the polyester batting and secure with quilting pins. Then I stitch around my shapes 5-6 times to secure them thoroughly. And finish by removing the excess batting with curved blade scissors/snips. Admire your work!

Have you started your Love with a Twist quilt yet?

Share your Love with a Twist blocks with me! You can fill the Chameleon and me with joy by sharing your Love with a Twist blocks via email, or on Instagram (mention @cleverchameleon or tag #lovewithatwistquilt). Or by posting on my Clever Chameleon Facebook page. Or by adding your beautiful work to the Chameleon’s Colour & Inspiration party right here on any Tuesday.

Hope to hear from you soon! And Happy Mother’s Day xx

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The Chameleon turns rainbow with pleasure when he hears from you. I am more reserved, so I will respond in gratitude by email instead. Now that it’s your turn…. Scroll right to the end, leave me a comment and tell me, what do you think? Thanks for connecting!

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