Sometimes I like to just get out my needle and thread and start sewing something just for fun.  These mushrooms are the perfect thing when I find myself in that mood.

Getting back to the basics with some good ol' hand-stitching is just the thing I need after more intense sewing projects.  Grabbing that needle and working with your hands is really satisfying sometimes.  I like to sit back to crafts and work on techniques like this that tend to get a little rusty over time.

 In this case, it's relaxing and produces charming results!  All you need is a few scraps of linen and you can have yourself a nice pastime for the afternoon.

Materials:

• Two different colors of linen.   I show a few different earth tones in the picture above that look nice for mushrooms, but pick whatever colors you like!
• Scissors
• Thread
• Fluff to stuff them with!

I start with the stem of the mushroom by cutting a piece of linen.  Cut your linen into the shape shown above.  The size depends on how big you want them.  This one is going to be fairly small and is only a few inches tall.  I like to fold and press the other edges in to make stitching the side easier.  Also, I used 4C22 in Natural for this part of the mushroom.

With a contrasting color thread, stitch the side together with the folds turned inside.

Cut a small circle from the same linen to fit the bottom of the tube-like product you have sewn.  Make sure the circle is the same size as the opening you will be sewing it to.

After you have stitched the circle to the base of the stem, you can stuff it with the fluff filling.

For the mushroom's cap, you need two circles of linen.  I chose the same Natural color for the underside and IL019 in Hunter Green for the top. Stitch these two pieces together and leave a small opening for the filling.

Now that the edges are all stitched up, you can begin stuffing!  Also, you can stitch the edges in whatever style you like.  The exposed stitch is what gives these mushrooms their charming characteristic.  Mistakes are fine; they just add to the charm!

Once the cap is all filled and sewn up, I like to add stitches to the underside (similar to a pincushion).  To do this, just start from the center and pull the thread to the outside edge.  

Pull the thread to the middle point of the green linen and then back down through the center.  Repeat this until the pincushion effect is complete.  The reason you pull the thread through the inside and to create that bulging effect.  The fluff inside becomes sectioned off by the thread and pushed against the linen with each stitch this way.  

Just be sure to pull the thread snuggly.  You'll see what I mean when you begin sewing.  It all works out once you pull the thread through the center.

Now just attach the stem to the cap and you are left with an adorable mushroom!  Sometimes we need a fun craft to keep busy and just relax with.  I love going back to hand-stitched crafts now and then.  These mushrooms make a great craft on those days when you just want to sit around and sew for fun.

*How did you like this craft time mushroom post?  It's a fun way to use up those scraps you have laying around! Feel free to leave your comments and "like" us on Facebook! if you need some new linen colors for your mushrooms, be sure to check out all the options here!