Octopus Garden
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Ringo Starr said he named his song after the story that Octopuses strolled along the ocean floor gathering rocks and other pretty baubles to make a garden. Is the story true?
Indeed it is! Octopuses like to hide in small, protected areas. Sometimes they hide the opening to that area by piling up rocks, shells, broken glass, bottle caps, or anything their tube feet can move. This is called an Octopus Garden. Then they fold their body into the crevice, which is easy to do as they have no bones, and change both the color and texture of their body to match the surroundings.
Last year, I taught a 3rd-grade Zoom class on ocean animals for my grandson. I’ve included some of the videos and tutorials that I shared with him in this post. Here is my third-grade level tutorial on the octopus.
To make your own Octopus Garden:
- a 30″ x 30″ piece of watery fabric. If you have a sea panel or something with a large ocean print, that would be an excellent place to start your garden. The American Wildnerness “Monterey Bay” fabric by SSI that I am using is long out of print, but I did find some interesting panels at the Fat Quarter Shop.
- a Pigma pen, colored fabric pencils, or embroidery needle and thread to add accents to your garden visitors. If you have tulle, maybe a round pearl button for the clam, other small buttons for eyes, or organza ribbons for embellishments, all the better.
- Steam-a-Seam II Lite Fusible Web. I like this the best because it sticks when you put it in place but it’s not permanent until you hit it with a hot iron. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- An Applique pressing sheet.
- Karen Kay Buckley Perfect 4″ scissors.
To use the motifs in this pattern, first print them out full size. Using a lightbox or a window, trace them on to the paper side of your fusible webbing. Remember that these motifs will be reversed when you actually use them.
Don’t try to be too precise in your tracing. These are animals that move through the water. They are always going to look a little different from each other. Cut the paper apart ROUGHLY. You will cut them apart precisely after they have been fused to fabric.
You don’t have to use all the motifs I have given you. If your fabric has fish or kelp (or yellow submarines), feel free to ignore those motifs. They are just for ideas. If you want to add or subtract an element from your design, no one will criticize you.
Time to play!
Go through your stash or beg fabric from friends. Be sure to look at the wrong side of the fabric, too:-)) Try to match the feeling of the animal. Remember that Sea Stars are actually quite colorful. Look for brilliant blues or purples for them. Here is my tutorial on Sea Stars.
A batik or a leopard print might make a good sea turtle. Here is my tutorial for a third-grader.
A seahorse is usually yellowish, but some species have zebra stripes. Here is a third-grade tutorial.
Don’t overthink this. No matter what fabric you use, I can guarantee you that somewhere there is an animal that looks just like what you are creating.
Prewash and press your fabric. Don’t use fabric softener or spray starch. Place the fusible web on your fabric, sticky fabric toward the side of the fabric you are not using, and rough-cut motif facing up. Place the Applique Pressing Sheet over the fusible and press the sheet. That helps keep the heat away from what you are working on, and the webbing away from your iron.
If you have never done fusible applique before or are using a new type of fusible webbing, try a test piece first. This is especially important if you are not using 100% cotton. If you would like to try a shiny polyester for a motif, I suggest you use Misty Fuse. That adheres in low temperatures.
More Animals for Inspiration
Do you think some of your animals would look more interesting if you stuffed them? You can do that! When you cut your fusible web, cut out the center. That way when you press it on to the fabric, there will be a section with no sticky stuff. Just before you place the motif-to-be-fused under the Applique pressing sheet, you can insert a little cotton ball or whatever you would like to stuff it with.
If you want to insert something larger – a squeaky toy maybe – do the same thing but skip the cotton ball. After you have fused the motif to the background, you will have to cut a teeny tiny hole in the background under the part of the motif that has no fusible. Insert the toy and hand stitch the opening.
Now that you have your rough cut motif, it’s time to cut the edges. Here is where the Karen Kay Buckley scissors really shine. You will need to make tiny, precise cuts in a few places. If you run into trouble, remember what I said about variety in animals. You can always use your Pigma pen to add interest. The whale’s teeth, for example, or a smiling dolphin. Remove any stray threads.
Lay your background on your ironing board and place your motifs. Move them around until you like the design. Place the applique pressing sheet over the top and press your design. If something moves, or you decide you don’t like it after all, you can usually move a motif while it is still warm if you are using Steam-a-Seam Lite II.
If this is going to be a wall hanging, you don’t really have to finish the edges as you won’t be washing it that much. If you want to, though, you can always use the zig-zag stitch on your machine to secure the edges. This would be a nice piece to put on stretcher bars, but if you quilt it be sure to quilt in some bubbles and maybe a bit of froth.
Here is my tutorial.
Don’t forget to make a label. You worked hard, you should get the credit for it.
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Granny Square blocks are my favorite. Just finished another quilt. I love these creatures. It’s too bad Accuquilt dies are so expensive. I do love them.
Thank you for the block and tutorials. This is sure to be a unique block
My favorite block for this row along so far is the Garden Visitors block.
Kris – -I love this – would be a great addition to my sewing room in Florida! My favorite quilt block would be the Log Cabin or Ohio Star – Lots of possibilities for each!
I like that you went with a different type of garden. Great job!
You have to watch their specials. Right now there is a 20% off sale, plus free shipping, which is pretty good. Plus if you buy from their site, you get the points which gives you free stuff. But you are right, there is no way around the fact the dies are expensive.
is that this one? https://yoursewingfriend.com/blogs/sewing-friend-news/garden-friends-pattern-release She did a GREAT fusible applique tutorial, lots of tips and tricks.
Kris, this is such a sweet row, and so many options. Thanks . And you are right, I was humming along. The little sub nearly did me in! (oh such wonderful memories.)
Thank you for this wonderful block! Sea creatures are my favorite so I can’t wait to try this.
I love how you wrote this post along with the great tutorial with making the pattern. I enjoyed learning and watching the animals and sea life also. I’m so happy you joined us for another row along year…
Thanks for the block! It is really cute. My favorite blocks tend to be star blocks
Thank you! That was quite the entertaining tutorial! And I don’t have a favorite block pattern.
I love the under the sea garden party! So cute! I sure miss the beach this year. This made me feel a little better about it.
My favorite block is the log cabin. There are so many ways to lay it out.
Thank you for your very interesting row you shared. Very cute.
I love your pattern! Thank you. My favorite blocks are stars or applique.
What a fun block full of sea life…thank you for sharing! Picking a favorite block is way too hard because they are all amazing.
I like the half square triangle. It is so versatile. This quilt is so imaginative.
oh my i love your Octopus Garden. this is going to be so fun to make. thank you for sharing the pattern. thank you for inspiring oh and thank you for sharing the song (haven’t heard that one in ages lol) for all the wonderful information and videos
Yes. Octopuses Garden is now stuck in my head. Loved the pattern and motifs but the absolute best part is reading about the creatures from a third graders lessons and the tips for customizing like the cotton ball or squeaky toy under the items.
Good for a bedroom wall hanging.
Thanks for the post and all your hard work.
I like any traditional piecing or paper piecing. Thanks for your wonderful patterns!
Wow! This one is awesome! Oh, I like the card trick block. 🙂
Log Cabin is my all time favorite quilt block.
Oh this is going to be a fun challenge. I love the Octopus Garden pattern.
Great take on the Garden Party theme. I have some ocean fabric somewhere that would be perfect for this. I hope I have enough of it left. Thank you for such a neat pattern.
I don’t really have a favorite block, but I do like log cabins a lot.
Wow, I love your sea life photos. My mom lives by the beach and I am always find it interesting to walk along the shore and see what I can see while I’m there. On occasion there are dolphins, and I always find sand dollars. Last time there were 3 dead jelly fish and yes, I left them alone! My favorite block is probably the log cabin. There are so many ways to use that block. Thanks for sharing!
I just want to say this is one of the most interesting RAL sites I’ve been too. All the information is so well provided and the “extras” are so interesting. Thank you. Flying Geese is my all-time favorite block. A big thank you to Marian and the sponsors of the hop.
Gorgeous. I love your underwater garden. Thanks
What a wonderful row and great tutorials on sea life. Thanks for sharing
I love the wedding ring block. Love your idea for the Octopus Garden . I already have some applique fish I could combine with your patterns. Thanks for sharing with us!
What a fun project. I think my favorite block is a log cabin
I had no idea that octopuses (octopi?) make gardens! I figured that song was inspired by some kind of substance he might have ingested….sorry, Ringo! Thank you for this fun block, I may have to make a yellow submarine!
Wow, amazing “block” and wonderful infirmation! Thanks so much. I would have said my fav. Quilt Block was either churn dash or log csbin, but tonight it’s octopus gardens!!!
My favorite block is friendship star. Thank you for all the wonderful tutorials you made about the ocean creatures. I can’t wait to share with my grandsons.
Kris your octopus garden is so whimsical, bright and fun. I love it. Thanks for the ear worm. It will likely stick with me for a few days! I love the churn dash but just last week did another block which is even more fun but I don’t think it has a name 😉
I’ll be sure ro have my /Beatle Albums on, ecpecially the one with
Thanks for sharing, I love the sea. We even go this weekend for a short holiday!
I’m glad you liked it. It was a lot of fun going through my camera and picking just the right photos and videos
I learned a lot while researching those mini presentations! I am glad that someone other than a bouncy 8 year old got to enjoy them.
I thought maybe I overdid it, but people seem to like it so I guess it’s okay.
Super! It was fun doing the zoom classes with my grandson, I am glad someone else can use those worksheets. I took the homework section off the PDF though:-))
Cute design!! My fav block is churn dash!
Thank you for such a fun pattern. I learned some new things today.
I really like quilt block patterns that have a Celtic look to them.
Thank you for the pattern and the tutorials!
Thanks for the cute pattern & great tutorial! Churn Dash blocks are my favorite!
Thank you for this awesome pattern
I love your block. My favorite block is Ohio star.
Your underwater garden is amazing!
My favorite quilt block pattern is Lori Holts Vintage Christmas
My favorite is the feathered star. Love you idea to use a squeaky toy in the applique!
Love the idea of the squeaky toy inserted in the applique. My favorite block is the feathered star.
Love your Pattern?Row…it si sooooo cool!! My favorite Quilt Block ..right now lol..is Churn Dash 🙂 Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way too 🙂
I love flying geese! You did a lot of work with your row!
What a fun way to look at those wonderful scenic prints. Love how you have made it your own. Thanks for a fun read too. I love ocean life!
Oh this was a totally different kind of garden. I have been dreaming of doing a large underwater wall hanging for my aquarium loving husband. This may give me the start that I need.
my favorite blocks are flower blocks–or birds or butterflies!
Looks like everyone has been so creative and have worked very hard for this garden.
Thanks for the reminder. I missed the whole week thanks to strep. =P
I like your take a the Garden Party. Life under water really is a garden.
Love your blog post and your different take on a garden party. Thanks for sharing your pattern.
Beautiful underwater garden. Thanks for sharing!
Such a fun idea for a Garden block!!!!! I made a queen-sized quilt inspired by Octopus’s Garden last year! Not at all like your row, but lots of sea animal applique. Very fun!
So different, a garden in the sea – the appliques are wonderful, everything I could ever want. An octopus, sea horse, sea turtle, starfish . . . awesome! I’m so looking forward to this row. Thank you very much.
I love your garden in the sey.