Please help! I need to re-line some floppy (toy) rabbit ears and i don't know where to start.

[DrivenToDistraction]

DD has decided that a particular cuddly rabbit is an essential sleeping partner, so I'm looking for an identical one now before something dramatic happens to the first one. Unfortunately it's no longer being produced. I've managed to track down one on on a second hand site that is identical apart from the colour inside the ears.

I cunningly suggested to DD that the rabbit would like to have some pretty fabric on his ears instead of the nasty blue fleecey stuff that he has now. She says he says that would be a good idea so we're off to the market this afternoon so --she- he can chose some.

If I can get her to go through with it I can order the second rabbit and change his ear colour too. But, I have no idea how to go about it . I have a good sewing machine and am pretty handy with a needle, I've just never done anything like this.

Here, is a photo of the (potential) new rabbit. Will I have to open up his head, take the ears off completely and turn them inside out?

Well, we're back from the market and I'm quite impressed with DDs taste. She didn't even need steering, just choose a nice soft turquiose cotton with small brown spots. Suits the rabbit perfectly

So, any tips about the best way to go about the 'operation'?

You call, I came

2 options as far as I can see.
1 - remove ears by cutting stitches carefully, turn inside out and unpick seam, sew on new fabric, turn and sew back on, time consuming but definately best result.
2 - cut out ear lining shape from new farbic, fold over the edges and iron flat. Pin onto old ears and top sew by hand all the way around. This won't look anywhere near as pretty but also means you won't have to worry about the ear stitching coming loose....

Yeah, good luck with that though

that is cut stitches of ears where they meet the head, unless it is all one part on the head?

You're a star! Thanks

Right, option one it is. I feared as much, it's starting to rather intimidate me already. Gah. I suppose the second one will be easier

My first though was indeed to try to 'patch' the new fabric over the old but I fear it'll look horrific as the ears are large and rounded and I'm cack handed. Am also vaguely OD a perfectionist.

So, the ears are sown into a seam that goes right across the back of his head. Is there anything I can do to avoid a 'pasty crust' effect when I re-close the seam on the back of his head (after I've inserted the ears)?

I've always hated this rabbit, I hid it as soon as she was given it, but she found it last year and adopted it a her soul mate. I bet going to all the trouble of getting a second one and re-lining the ears of both will guarantee that she a, finally looses interest in it OR b, never looses it. Ho Hum.

I can't think of a way to fix it without having to resew a seams omewhere I'm afraid but this way is pretty invisible

If she is happy for him to have his ears recovered can you not buy the new one, convince her to have that fabric instead and pretend that is the old one just re eared? I know she has chosen fabric but can she 'rechoose' it?

That method of closing looks grand, much better than what I had in mind

The idea is to end up with two identical rabbits that I can rotate (so they age similarly) hopefully that'll increase the lifespan and I won't have to constantly panic about where the damn thing is... It's fur gets really matted and I have to brush it aggressively and quite regularly to keep it looking more like a rabbit than a turd. It'll soon start to go bald.

I'm guessing I should uses a short zigzag stitch to attach the two fabrics together, is that right?

She's only 2 1/2 so I fear there are plenty of years of rabbit addiction ahead

So, now you've sorted my hair and my DDs rabbit, I shall be eternally grateful [bows]

One last thing (I hope), do I have to wash (and iron) the new cotton before I start sewing? Really?

If you ever want to wash the toy again without it going wrinkly and mishapen yes.
I hate pre washing with a passion but it has to be done, sorry

OK, will do!

Thanks so much for your help.

Done!

He looks great, much nicer than before actually . It's not perfect be certainly good enough. 'twas fun, I fear I may have to look into making some wee toys.

That was quick! well done, what does dd think?

Meh, I think it took about an hour or an hour and a half.

DDs at nursery today so I've got to wait a few hours before she gives her verdict. Am quite nervous TBH!

DD is thrilled. She even thanked me!

'twas an hour or an hour and a half for one rabbit, not two. Now that would have been speedy work. I was waiting to confirm buying number two until DD had accepted the new ears. you know what toddlers are like, she might have refused to have had anything more to do with him...

Excellent news. I meant fast to actually do it, I am Queen of the Procastinators

Hah. No. I am the queen of procrastination.

I first considered doing it when she was given it almost two years ago. Decided I would do it when she adopted it about a year ago...

A couple nights ago I couldn't sleep and had visions of it being lost. Cue frantic internet search for a double. The question is, how long it'll take me to 'find time' to do the second one.

Mind you, it was actually quite fun and I'm halfheartedly casting around to see if I can find an easy pattern to make a little cuddly for a baby who's due next week.