Island Batik Ambassador Funky Friends

This month, the Island Batik Ambassadors are doing something a bit different. We’ve been tasked with creating stuffed Funky Friends, and our sponsor is Funky Friends Factory. Each ambassador has chosen one of their patterns for this challenge. After visiting Scotland last year, I fell in love with Highland Cows, so I decided to make Harmony the Highland Cow.

 

Next, I needed to choose the fabrics for making this cute cow. I aimed for Harmony to resemble a real Highland Cow as closely as possible. For the main body, I selected the Red Burgundy Mushroom Time from the Fall 2024 Studio 180 Design Forest Flora collection for Island Batik. For the hooves, I used a scrap of dark brown fabric from the Summer 2022 Studio 180 Design Modern Opulence collection, and I picked an Island Batik Blender Dandelion Crumbs for the horns.

The pattern is easy to follow, and the tutorials for making this Highland Cow are enjoyable to make. I highly recommend using all the tips included in the pattern and tutorials when working on any Funky Friends Factory design, as they really help the project come together well. 

As I made Harmony, I used my Bernina 790 Pro, along with a combination of two different colors of Aurifil thread and Schmetz needles. Lowering my stitch length to 2.0 made the project look neater and gave the seams extra strength.

Once I filled Harmony with Hobbs Simply Stuffing, I made sure to pack it in firmly. 

I decorated her forelock with flowers made from scraps of the Jackie Kunkel Collection “Cosmic” for Island Batik and added a ribbon from the Island Batik Bundles around her neck. Now, Harmony is all ready for her adventures!

Her adventure began with Harmony introducing herself to Lucy. Lucy was uncertain about this large cow.

Then she headed out to the backyard to see what mischief she could get into.

Climbing onto rocks and wood piles. She loves the grass. 

Then Lucy said enough and guided her outside the gate. I hope you enjoyed Harmony the Highland Cows adventure. 

Wishing you a wonderful day filled with creative sewing time.