My physical therapist has been wonderful in helping me regain mobility and strength after damaging my arm and shoulder. The guilt is all mine but was likely caused by 2 factors: daily walks with our 2 dogs pulling me along by the leash and my repeated marathon sewing days with heavy denim. After a proper medical diagnosis, physical therapy has begun in earnest.
After learning one of the causes of my malady, my therapist donated 2 sets of sleeves from her daughter’s blue jean jackets. They had been recently cut off to make the jackets into vests. Initially, I thought they would become components of a future wall hanging project. When I looked at them at home, I suddenly saw 4 animal legs and big ears!
This was a quick upcycle and my first time making a stuffed animal. There was no pattern, but the body and 4 legs were basically already made so just needed closing and pushing batting/stuffing inside. The body was simply the backside of a pair of men’s jeans folded in half and the tail was a belt loop. A little denim fabric was needed to make the head and a quick review of Pinterest gave ideas for that. It was all machine sewn except for hand sewing around part of the neck to attach the body and head.
The elephant is now ready to be given as a gift to her daughter, but I have left the fun part for last. It will be gifted with nail polish, earrings, a bracelet, a necklace, and a permanent black marker. I hope she will make the elephant female by personalizing her with eyes, a mouth, painted toenails, jewelry, etc. After all, more girl power is always needed in this world.