Stuffed Animal Rug Tutorial

This is a project I did a while ago and posted on my family blog, but I loved this one soo much I'm sharing it again here. I originally found the idea on the Dollar Store Craft site submitted by The Best of DIY. I just loved the panther she had done and found a great lion to do for my little cub. 

Step 1: Unstuff and wash. I ripped open the seam at his bottom and unstuffed the poor lion completely. I then put him in a pillow case closed it with a rubber band and then washed him with a little detergent. Next he took a spin in the dryer on fluff until he was dry. This worked wonders on his musty smell from the thrift store and made him super soft (he was $3! btw). I then re-stuffed his head and paws.

Step 2: Mutilate the poor guy (FYI-this is actually really messing since he had such long fur it was like I gave someone a haircut in my living room). I detached his tail and cut him off at the legs. Why cut him to bits? I knew he was too short to be a cool rug and the fabric wouldn't lay flat since he was made to be fat and to sit upright. so...

Step 3: To lengthen him I cut out his belly and attached it to his back to make him longer.

Step 4: Sow feet back on and attach tail.

Step 5: I lined his belly with some felt and linen that I had. I think it looks more like he has a lighter colored belly than a liner.

Step 6: Test it out on the baby...

He likes it!