FREE Pattern: Plush Bunny Easter Basket

Easter is coming up fast, but I've got one more project tutorial that can be made in time.  This one is cuddly, practical and fun all at the same time...my Plush Bunny Basket!

This basket is the perfect place to put all those Easter goodies.  

It's nice and deep so it can hold a lot.

He's got a fun bunny face and standup ears: 

And hoppy little feet.

There's even a fluffy bunny tail at the back!

The basket holds its shape well thanks to a sturdy foam interior, yet is still nice and soft.

The minky fabric outer and lining makes it cuddly for the little ones. With an active just turned one year old in the house, there are toys and baby things EVERYWHERE, so the more places I can toss them into the better!

Materials:
- 1/2 yd minky/cuddle fabric outer
- 1/2 yd pinky/cuddle fabric lining 
- 1 yd foam
- Hand sewing needle
- My FREE PDF Ears & Paws Pattern
Optional: safety eyes, white & pink felt, large pom pom 

Printing the Pattern:  Click HERE to download my PDF ear pattern & paw and print at 100% (actual size) no scaling.  Cut out pattern pieces (since the paws are a layered piece, cut the outer fabric pieces first, then trim down to cut the foam pieces).

Using my ear & paw pattern pieces, cut out fabrics and foam according to the directions.  With right sides facing, stitch together the ear pairs and paw pairs with a 1/4 in seam allowance.  

Trim and turn right side out.  Insert the foam pieces inside.  

From the foam cut a 10 1/2 in diameter circle and a 9 in high by 34 in wide rectangle.

From both fabrics cut a 10 1/2 in diameter circle and 9 1/2 in high by 34 in wide rectangle.

Take the outer fabric rectangle and determine the center.  Pin the ears 3/4 of an inch from the center on either side and the paws 1 inch from the center as shown and baste to the main fabric.

If adding a face, now would be the time to set the safety eyes and stitch a triangle felt nose and whiskers on.  I decided to add mine after I'd made the basket so I had to hand stitch it all on.

Starting with the foam rectangle, bring the short sides together and stitch with a 1/2 inch seam allowance.  

Trim down the allowance and pin the circle to one of the circular ends.  Stitch together.

Turn right side out and set aside.  

Repeat this process with cuddle fabrics, except with the lining, when stitching the rectangle into a tube, leave a 4 inch gap and use a 3/8in seam allowance for everything (this will help the foam fit inside better).

With right sides facing and lining up the back seams, pin together the top raw edges of the lining and outer fabrics and stitch together with a 1/2in seam allowance.

Pull right side out through the opening in the lining.  

Fold up the foam basket form and insert into the lining gap.  Smoother the outer fabric around the foam and then the lining onto its inside.  Hand stitch the gap closed.  Hand stitch the pom pom tail onto the back.

Now this hoppy friend is ready for filling!