Crafting Along

Yesterday I finally had some time to work on a project.

I made a chicken saddle (also called an chicken apron).

This is the first time I have ever sewed for an animal.

People are going to think I am crazy.

But you gotta do what you gotta do.

I found a tutorial on Pinterest and got to work.

I cut out a template using a piece of card stock that Bunny had colored on.

Traced it onto my fabric (leftover laminated cotton and flannel that I got on clearance at Joann's for another project).

I cut my fabric and elastic (enough to make 8) and waited for Squirrely's naptime to do my sewing.

Stitched around all side except one, and stitched in my elastic.

Flipped it inside out, closed the hole, and top stitched around the whole thing.

My tension was acting up and I didn't realize I until I was done. I decided to just go with it for the prototype since I didn't want to waste time ripping stitches and re-sewing if it wasn't going to work anyway.

It also came out slightly cooked, but like I said...prototype.

I added snaps, and it was done.

Here you can see why some of my hens needed some sewing done for them.

Chickens are not romantic creatures at all. Roosters get a little rough while mating.

The feminist side of me wants to have nothing to do with them.

But alas, no roosters... no fertile eggs, no baby chicks...

Once the hen has a bare spot, it is an easy target for other hens, and re-growing feathers can be mistaken for something to eat. Either way, it is hard for something to heal if it is always getting pecked.

The solution? A chicken saddle to cover and protect the bare spot.

The saddle fit and all seemed well...

Until we put her back in the fence and the whole flock (including the chicken wearing the saddle) was terrified of it. They ran around flapping and squawking as if something was after them.

Katie caught the hen and we removed the saddle.

Plan B is to make another one in a duller color and see if that helps.

Maybe my chicken saddle was a bit too funky?

So much for having seven more cut and ready to go.

Going to try to make one up today to test out.

Plan C?  No clue... let the research begin again.

Each week I joined several linky parties!  What a fun way to share and learn! 

Natural Living Monday,  The Children's Bookshelf,  Monday's Kid Corner, Hey Mom, Look What I Did!, Montessori Monday, Made by Little Hands, Homemade Mondays, Mama Moments Monday {Link Up}, The Gathering Spot,  Little Wonders' Days,  Mom's Monday Mingle,  Hip Homeschool Hop, Mom's Library,  Tuesday Tots, (tot school tuesday), The Tuesday Baby Link-Up, Keep Calm Craft On {crafting on}, Tuned in Tuesday, Teach Me Tuesday, TOO Cute Tuesday, Open Call Tuesday, Backyard Farming Connection Hop, Tuned in Tuesday, Kids in the Kitchen,  Waldorf Wednesday,  It's Playtime, We Made That Linky, What I Learned Wednesday, Super Link Party, Kids Co-Op,  Artsy Play Wednesday, Healthy 2Day Wednesday, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Adorned From Above, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways, Kids Crafts, Link and Learn, Thrifty Thursday,  Hearts for Home,  needle and thREAD, Made U Look, Tender Moments with Toddlers and Preschoolers,  Natural Living Link-Up, Small Footprint Friday,  Our Days Homeschool Link-Up,  For the Kids Friday, Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday, Read. Explore. Learn., Creative Learning on Friday,  Preschool and Kindergarten Corner, Friday's Nature Table, The Friday Baby Shower,  TGIF Linky Party, Family Fun Friday,  Creative Friday, Friday Flair Link Party, Shine on Fridays, Friday Favs, Outdoor Play Party,  Do Something Crafty, Tot School Gathering Place,  Sharing Saturday, Share It Saturday, Country Kids, Link and Learn, sharing creative, ideas {all weekend}, Show and Share Saturday, The Sunday Showcase, The Preschool Prekinder Nook, Fun Sparks, The Sunday Parenting Party, Making Boys Men, Made with Love

And each week I co-host two such parties:  The All Year Round Blog Carnival and Eco-Kids Tuesday Link-Up!