I’m excited to share a project that I’ve been keeping a secret for quite some time. It hasn’t been a total secret, since I used to have it as one of my rotating banner images. But, since I’ve never blogged about this little guy, let me introduce you to Hugh Manatee.
Over a year ago, I was thinking about a plush toy I could design to submit to the sequel to one of my most beloved sewing books, One Yard Wonders. The call for submissions asked for project ideas designed using a variety of fabrics. I set out to design a project with fleece, and started to think about animal designs that were not currently out there.
After searching and searching the Internet, I did not find any sort of manatee sewing pattern that was larger than a desk toy. I was searching for a big, cuddly friend, like a snuggle pillow.
So I set out to design a manatee sewing pattern, with my trusty roll of teal-striped wrapping paper that I use for most of my pattern designs. My first manatee was in light gray, and I also made one in blue, which photographs better.
The most difficult part of designing this pattern was getting the mouth and face to look wrinkled and adorable. I knew I wanted a comical, cute face rather than a true-to-life frowny manatee. I spent a lot of time arranging felt faces on the manatee, then snapping photos. Then I’d go back later and rearrange the eyes and nostrils until I loved it!
Then it was time to ship him off, to be photographed for the book. I’ve heard he went to the book release party with the other 100 projects.
![100_4071](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3346/4614011290_1d2e6f472c_z.jpg)
![Hugh Manatee](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6479858205_d3e6d8d9eb_z.jpg)
And my original, with top hat!
![My Project, Hugh Manatee](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6479855743_4cd13294e9_z.jpg)
Next week, I’ll tell you how you can win a copy of this new book. And if you don’t win, please put this immediately on your holiday wish list! It’s such a great value, with some really classy patterns for clothing, bags, home decor, toys, accessories, and lots more! You are going to LOVE it.