From Appliqué to Adventure: Meet Bart the Caterpillar
Every so often, a project captures not only the creative spark but also the hearts of everyone who encounters it. That’s exactly what happened with Bart the Caterpillar, a whimsical character who started as a simple appliqué and blossomed into a lovable stuffed toy. Let me share the journey of how Bart crawled his way into our hearts and became the star of my quilting room.
The Beginning
Bart’s story began in January during the Sprout 2024 Challenge. Sondrasa of Art Quilts By Design created this fun little caterpillar as a fun little addition. Bart quickly became a subtle little feature character. He started popping up as a little appliqué on challengers’ quilts.
You can get your Bart appliqué here:
https://www.artquiltsbydesign.com/online-store/Bart-Sprout-Mini-Block-PDF-p617634331
From Appliqué to Stuffy
After the challenge, Sondrasa of Art Quilts By Design asked me if I could turn her appliqué into a stuffy. With some brainstorming, a quick sketch, and two failed prototypes, Bart began to take shape. I transformed Bart’s flat appliqué design into a 3D sewing pattern. His colorful body, and wiggly shape came to life in fabric form.
Why Bart the Stuffy is Special
Bart isn’t just a sewing pattern; he’s an invitation to create and play. He offers endless opportunities for fabric combinations. Mix bold prints, and scraps from your fabric stash.
And the best part? Bart is a travel-sized companion! Whether he’s cheering you on in your quilting room, jumping on a plane, or tagging along to a quilt retreat, Bart is always up for an adventure.
Share Your Bart Adventures
One of the most exciting parts of Bart’s journey has been seeing how others bring him to life. I’d love to see quilters around the world sharing their Bart creations, and to see your personality shine in different fabric choices.
Join the fun by sewing your own Bart and sharing your photos with the hashtag #bartouting (if hashtags still work) and tag me @josimpsondesign on Instagram. Whether he’s perched on your cutting table or exploring your garden, Bart will love to be part of your creative world.
Ready to Sew Your Bart?
You can make your own Bart the Caterpillar with the pdf pattern. The pattern includes:
- step-by-step instructions
- printable templates
- a bonus video tutorial for extra guidance.
Find the Bart Stuffy Sewing Pattern here and let your imagination take Bart on adventures far and wide!
https://josimpsondesign.com/collections/all