I don’t know whether you remember my post about making something from a Japanese craft book but, if you don’t, and you care , here it is
Anyway, I have a Japanese speaking reader who not only offered to help me with the translation but also has now told me that these little rabbits can be used as bento which is an idea from Japan where lunch is packed into a divided box and is both nutritionally balanced and visually appealing. I know these rabbits are not boxes but, apparently that is what they are being marketed as in the book and, because my Japanese is limited to what I hear coming out of the computer when Madamoiselle Tialys the younger is watching her interminable Manga, I hadn’t realised and thought they were just for storage. Hoorah for helpful blog readers (thanks Jenn!).
I know that the Japanese are keen on ingeniously wrapping things in beautiful fabric so those long ears tied into a knotted handle for little children (or big ones with small lunches) to carry to school is a great idea.
Of course, bunnies being bunnies, they are multiplying and I am going to need to replenish my linen and Liberty cotton stocks soon. I got some coloured linen last time I was in the U.K. and, as I am going to visit my family next month, I will stock up on some like this lavender colour which I matched up with some Liberty cotton in the Strawberry Thief design to make this one.
Now that I know they can be lunch bags for tinies, I might well replace the buttons with stitches – just in case.
Also, I can’t wait for the little Easter eggs to come in to the shops here in France (where they don’t jump the gun as much as they do in the U.K.) so that I can pose the buns with some eggs inside.
#1 by UniqueNique on January 19, 2012 - 01:41
They are really cute ;~D
#2 by Ria on March 14, 2012 - 01:58
They are so cute! I want to make one for myself!
#3 by Vicki@Hitch&Thread on October 10, 2012 - 14:14
They are so sweet. How big do they turn out to be?
#4 by tialys on October 10, 2012 - 15:07
Hi Vicki and thanks for dropping by. I must see if I can get around to making some more of these as they seem to attract lots of interest. The lining is a bit fiddly to get right but I suppose I could persevere. Anyway, they measure (approximately!!) 4.5 inches high, 4.5 inches wide and 2.75 inches deep. The bunny ears are 9.5 inches long. I’ve just popped over to your blog and seen a couple of your awesome quilts so I’m sure this project would hold no fears for you.
#5 by Sandra L. on October 31, 2012 - 23:48
Are you using interfacing to stiffen the bag so it stands up? Would love to try some!
#6 by tialys on November 1, 2012 - 00:01
Hi there, thanks for dropping by. I haven’t used interfacing because, up to now, I’ve used fairly thick linen and it stands up O.K. by itself. However, although the pattern doesn’t specify it, I think it would probably be a good idea to use interfacing on the body section if you were using thinner fabric.
#7 by Emily on December 4, 2012 - 17:27
Emily here.
Is there anywhere I could find some DIY patterns for these?
#8 by tialys on December 4, 2012 - 18:20
Hi Emily, Yes but it is in Japanese. However, I worked it out and don’t speak Japanese so it is possible. Here’s my original post where I show the book that I got the pattern from http://thetialys.wordpress.com/2011/09/28/must-learn-japanese/
#9 by Kristin on April 6, 2013 - 06:31
Oh my goodness this is adorable!
I may have to make something similar as a gift for a bunny loving little girl. 
#10 by tialys on April 6, 2013 - 09:32
Thanks Kristen, I keep going back to making these. They are a bit fiddly but I just love those ears!