Funky Friends Factory is sponsoring this month’s Island Batik challenge. We got to choose from a TON of different animals. It was hard to choose! They are all so cute! Thank you Pauline McArthur for allowing us to pick which one we wanted to do and sending us the pattern!

I chose Gregory Gorilla. He looked so cute. I already have made a few Funky Friends and I wanted a different one and I just couldn’t resist making Gregory!

The fabrics I chose are: for the dark – Blackberry, and for the light – Begonia. These are basics and available at all times.

There are lots of parts for Gregory … and here they are, all cut out. The pattern pieces are still pinned to the fabric because many of them contain necessary markings for when you’re making the critter.

The Funky Friends patterns are very well written and easy to follow. If you don’t quite “get it,” there are on-line photos that take you step by step!

And the head is starting to take shape! Can you see his nostrils? They make me laugh! I used Aurifil Thread 2581 (Dark Dusty Grape) to sew with a Schmetz Needle.

I originally wanted to give Gregory away as a gift, but alas, I couldn’t find any safety eyes. Well, I did find some, but they were green and not what I was looking for. I found the googly eyes with eye lashes, so perhaps Gregory should be a girl and I’ll now name her Gracie the Gorilla.

I used a polyfill stuffing for the areas close to Gracie’s ‘skin.’ And the rest of Gracie was stuffed with remnants of Hobbs 80/20 batting — I pulled it apart into very small pieces and it worked great!

Gracie escaped and I found her basking in the sun by the hyacinths and daffodils.

The next time she escaped, she was hanging out in the cherry blossoms with a plethora of bees!

Then she hopped over to the magnolia tree and I could finally rescue her!

This was a fun challenge to make!

Here are the other Funky Friends I have made over the past few years: The elephant, alpaca and rhino. These also used Island Batik fabrics!

Thank you!

Disclosure: The fabrics, batting, thread and needles were generously supplied by the following companies: Thank you, Island Batik  Aurifil Thread  Hobbs Batting & Schmetz Needles !! And a special mention to Funky Friends!

Want to see More Funky Friends?

Visit all of the other Island Batik Ambassadors.

Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs
Megan Best ~ Bestquilter
Pamela Boatright ~ Pamelaquilts
Elizabeth DeCroos ~ Epida Studio
Jennifer Fulton ~ Inquiring Quilter

Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts
Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts
Jane Hauprich ~ Stitch By Stitch Custom Quilting
Reed Johnson ~ Blue Bear Quilts
Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs

Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
Denise Looney ~ For The Love Of Geese
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine
Anorina Morris – sameliasmum.com

Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion
Claudia Porter ~ Create with Claudia
Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads
Brianna Roberts ~ Sew Cute And Quirky
Michelle Roberts ~ Creative Blonde
Andi Stanfield ~ True Blue Quilts
Sandra Starley ~ Textile Time Travels
Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations
Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail