Crochet Tutorial: Cozy Raccoon Washday Forest Cottage – Free Crochet Pattern

This cozy crochet scene features a cream forest cottage with a deep brown mossy roof, a front porch, side wash area, wooden fence, stepping-stone path, pond, flowers, mushrooms, baskets, clothesline, blue shirt, white towel, a sweet raccoon doing laundry, a tiny woodland helper, and a little blue bird watching from the corner.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Pattern Overview

This pattern is written in US crochet terms and is designed as a detailed decorative amigurumi cottage scene. The finished piece is a rectangular diorama with a cottage placed toward the back, a garden lawn in front, and washday accessories arranged around two small woodland characters.

The cottage is worked as separate panels for clean edges and sturdy shaping. The roof is crocheted as two thick rectangles with a ridge seam, then covered with textured moss patches. The raccoon, helper, baskets, mushrooms, stones, pond, flowers, railing, fence, and clothesline are all made separately and sewn in place.

Finished Size

Base: about 12 in wide x 10 in deep.
Cottage: about 6.5 in wide x 5 in deep x 6.5 in tall to roof peak.
Raccoon: about 3.25 in tall.
Woodland helper: about 2.75 in tall.
Gauge: 6 sc x 6 rows = 1 in using worsted weight yarn and a 3.0 mm hook.

Materials

Worsted weight yarn in cream, medium brown, dark brown, green, olive green, gray, black, white, light blue, red, tan, yellow, orange, and small amounts of pink or teal.
3.0 mm crochet hook for firm amigurumi stitches.
2.5 mm crochet hook for tiny flowers, moss, and facial details.
Fiberfill stuffing.
Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors, sewing pins.
Cardboard, plastic canvas, or foam board for the base and cottage walls.
Two 6 mm black safety eyes for the raccoon, or black embroidery.
Two 5 mm black safety eyes for the small helper, or black embroidery.
Small wooden beads or crocheted buttons for the door handle and laundry pegs.
Optional craft wire for fence posts and porch posts.

Abbreviations

MR: magic ring.
ch: chain.
sl st: slip stitch.
sc: single crochet.
hdc: half double crochet.
dc: double crochet.
inc: 2 sc in the same stitch.
dec: single crochet 2 stitches together.
BLO: back loop only.
FLO: front loop only.
st: stitch.
R: round or row.

Important Construction Notes

Use tight tension so the house, animals, and small objects hold their shape.
Most flat pieces are worked in rows. Most animals and mushrooms are worked in continuous rounds.
Insert plastic canvas or cardboard inside the base, walls, roof, porch, and shed roof for a firm display piece.
For neat cottage corners, sew panels together through the outer loops only.
The moss patches are intentionally uneven. Use the stitch counts given, then stretch and tack each patch into an organic shape.

Large Garden Base

The base is a thick green rectangle with softly rounded corners. It holds the cottage, front yard, pond, path, fence, flowers, mushrooms, and laundry scene.

Main Base Panel

Use green yarn and a 3.0 mm hook.

Ch 61.
R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 60 sc.
R2 to R54: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. 60 sc.
Do not fasten off. Work border: ch 1, sc evenly around, placing 3 sc in each corner. Join with sl st.
R2 border: Ch 1, sc around again, placing 3 sc in each corner. Join and fasten off.

Base Underside

Make a second rectangle exactly the same as the main base panel.
Cut plastic canvas slightly smaller than the crocheted rectangle.
Place canvas between both panels.
Hold panels together and sc around through both layers, placing 3 sc in each corner.
Fasten off and weave in ends.

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Cottage Walls

The cottage is cream with a front wall, back wall, two side walls, and a slight box shape. The front wall includes a dark arched door and two windows. The right side has a small wash shed attached under its own roof.

Front Wall

Use cream yarn.

Ch 37.
R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 36 sc.
R2 to R30: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. 36 sc.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Back Wall

Repeat the front wall from R1 to R30.
Fasten off.

Side Walls

Make 2 side walls in cream.

Ch 27.
R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 26 sc.
R2 to R30: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. 26 sc.
Fasten off.

Wall Assembly

Cut four plastic canvas panels to match the wall sizes.
Lay each crocheted wall over canvas.
Join the front wall to one side wall with cream yarn using whipstitch.
Join the back wall, second side wall, and remaining front edge to form a box.
Sew the wall box to the base, placing it 2 rows from the back edge and centered side to side.

Gabled Roof

The roof is oversized, deep brown, and slopes over the cottage like the image. It extends past the walls, with soft rounded edges and thick horizontal stitch texture.

Left Roof Panel

Use medium brown yarn.

Ch 43.
R1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 42 hdc.
R2 to R24: Ch 1, BLO hdc across. Turn. 42 hdc.
R25: Ch 1, sc across to make a firm roof edge. Fasten off.

Right Roof Panel

Repeat the left roof panel.
Do not sew flat yet.

Roof Ridge and Shape

Place both panels long edges together.
Whipstitch one long edge of each panel together to form a roof ridge.
Place roof over cottage so it overhangs about 4 stitches at the front and back and about 3 stitches on each side.
Lightly stuff under the roof peak or insert folded canvas to hold the roof angle.
Sew roof to the top of cottage walls only along the side edges, keeping the front overhang soft.

Chimney

Use dark brown yarn.

Ch 10.
R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 9 sc.
R2 to R12: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. 9 sc.
Fold into a small rectangle tube and sew the side seam.
Stuff lightly.
Rim: Join yarn at top, sc evenly around, join with sl st.
Sew chimney near the back right roof ridge, standing upright.

Roof Moss Patches

The moss is textured, leafy, and irregular. Use olive green and green yarn held loosely. Make several patches and sew them to the roof, especially along the left front slope, the ridge, the right roof, and the porch roof.

Large Moss Patch

Make 3.

Ch 16.
R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next 3, sc in next 4, dc in next 2, sc in last 5. Turn. 15 st.
R2: Ch 1, sc 3, ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and next 3 ch, sc 4, ch 7, sl st back along chain, sc across remaining stitches.
R3: Ch 1, sc across unevenly, placing 2 sc in every third stitch.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Small Moss Patch

Make 7.

Ch 9.
R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across. Turn. 8 sc.
R2: Ch 1, sc 2, ch 4, sl st down chain, sc 2, ch 5, sl st down chain, sc 4.
Fasten off.

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Moss Tufts

Cut 18 strands of olive yarn, each about 2 in long.
Using a hook, pull each strand halfway through random roof stitches.
Tie once and trim unevenly.
Brush strands gently with a needle to create fuzzy moss.

Front Porch

The porch has a brown floor, four posts, railings, and a roof-like overhang matching the cottage style. It sits on the left front of the house and frames the front door.

Porch Floor

Use medium brown yarn.

Ch 29.
R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 28 sc.
R2 to R10: Ch 1, BLO sc across. Turn. 28 sc.
Border: Sc evenly around, placing 3 sc in each corner.
Insert a matching canvas piece and sew porch floor to the front of the cottage.

Porch Posts

Make 4 with dark brown yarn.

MR, 6 sc in ring. 6 sc.
R2 to R16: Sc around. 6 sc.
Stuff lightly as you go.
Fasten off and sew one post to each porch corner.

Porch Railings

For front rail, ch 20 with dark brown yarn, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Fasten off.
Make 2 short side rails: ch 8, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Fasten off.
Make 8 vertical slats: ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Fasten off.
Sew rails between posts, leaving an opening near the door path.
Sew vertical slats evenly under the front rail.

Front Door

The door is tall, dark, rounded at the top, and placed in the center front wall under the porch roof.

Use dark brown yarn. Ch 11.
R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 10 sc.
R2 to R13: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. 10 sc.
R14: Ch 1, dec, sc 6, dec. Turn. 8 sc.
R15: Ch 1, dec, sc 4, dec. Turn. 6 sc.
R16: Ch 1, dec, sc 2, dec. 4 sc.
Border: Sc around the door, placing 2 sc at the top curve.
Using black yarn, embroider vertical lines on the door.
Sew a small tan circle or bead on the right side as the doorknob.
Sew door to front wall, centered below the roof peak.

Windows

The cottage has small brown-framed windows with white curtains. Make two front windows and one side window.

Window Frame

Make 3 with medium brown yarn.

Ch 13.
R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 12 sc.
R2 to R7: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. 12 sc.
Border: Sc around, placing 3 sc in each corner.
Fasten off.

Window Crossbars

For each window, ch 8, sl st in each ch to make a vertical bar.
Ch 10, sl st in each ch to make a horizontal bar.
Sew crossbars across the frame.

White Curtains

Make 6 small curtain panels in white.
Ch 5.
R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 4 sc.
R2 to R5: Ch 1, sc across. Turn.
Sew two curtain panels behind each window frame.
Sew two windows on the front wall, one left of the door and one right of the door.
Sew one window on the visible right side wall.

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Side Wash Shed

The right side of the cottage has a small open wash area with a cream wall and a lower brown mossy roof. It holds baskets and laundry details.

Shed Back Wall

Use cream yarn. Ch 24.
R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 23 sc.
R2 to R18: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. 23 sc.
Insert canvas behind it and sew to the right side of the cottage and the base.

Shed Roof

Use medium brown yarn. Ch 27.
R1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 26 hdc.
R2 to R14: Ch 1, BLO hdc across. Turn.
Sc around the entire roof panel.
Sew one long edge to the cottage side wall so the roof slopes outward.
Add 2 small moss patches to the shed roof.

Stepping Stone Path

The gray stepping stones curve from the front edge of the base toward the porch. Make different sizes so the path looks natural.

Large Oval Stone

Make 7 with gray yarn.

Ch 7.
R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 4, 3 sc in last ch. Work on opposite side: sc 4, 2 sc in last ch. 14 sc.
R2: Inc, sc 4, inc 3 times, sc 4, inc 2 times. 20 sc.
R3: Sc around. 20 sc.
Fasten off, leaving tail for sewing.

Small Round Stone

Make 8.

MR, 6 sc in ring.
R2: Inc around. 12 sc.
R3: Sc around. 12 sc.
Fasten off.

Sew stones in a curved path from the lower center of the base to the porch opening. Place larger stones in the center and smaller stones around the edges.

Pond

The pond sits at the left front corner. It is light blue, flat, rounded, and bordered by green grass details.

Use light blue yarn. Ch 12.
R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 9, 3 sc in last ch. Work opposite side: sc 9, 2 sc in last ch. 24 sc.
R2: Inc, sc 9, inc 3 times, sc 9, inc 2 times. 30 sc.
R3: Sc 1, inc, sc 9, repeat inc and sc around the rounded ends to reach 38 sc.
R4: Sc around. Fasten off.
Sew pond to the left front lawn.

Fern and Grass Clumps

Fern Stem

Make 4 in green.

Ch 14.
Sl st in 2nd ch from hook.
Repeat this sequence along the chain: ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and next 2 ch, sl st back into main chain.
Continue until the stem has small side leaves.
Fasten off and sew near the pond and cottage corners.

Small Grass Tuft

Make 10.

Ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and next 4 ch.
Ch 5, sl st back down.
Ch 7, sl st back down.
Fasten off and sew around stones, fence, and shed.

Front Fence

The front fence is dark brown with rounded posts and two horizontal rails. It runs across the front edge with an open space near the path.

Fence Posts

Make 12.

Use dark brown yarn. MR, 5 sc in ring.
R2 to R8: Sc around. 5 sc.
R9: Dec, sc 1, dec. Fasten off.
Stuff very lightly or insert small wire pieces for stability.

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Fence Rails

Make 3 long rails: ch 28, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Fasten off.
Make 2 shorter rails: ch 18, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Fasten off.
Sew posts along the front of the base.
Sew rails across the posts in two rows, leaving a gap for the stepping-stone path.

Clothesline

The clothesline is placed in the right front yard between two tan posts. It holds a blue shirt and small pegs, while the raccoon stands below with a white towel.

Clothesline Posts

Make 2 with tan yarn.

MR, 6 sc in ring.
R2 to R20: Sc around. 6 sc.
Stuff firmly or insert wire.
Fasten off.
Sew one post near the porch and one near the right front fence.

Line

Use cream yarn or cotton thread.
Tie or sew the line between the two posts at about raccoon head height.
Wrap twice around each post and secure with knots hidden behind the posts.

Blue Shirt

Use light blue yarn. Ch 9.
R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 8 sc.
R2 to R6: Ch 1, sc across. Turn.
R7: Sc 2, ch 4, skip 4, sc 2. Turn.
R8: Sc 2, 4 sc in ch space, sc 2. 8 sc.
Sleeves: Join yarn to side, ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 3, sl st to body. Repeat on other side.
Sew shirt to clothesline with two tiny tan pegs.

White Towel

Use white yarn. Ch 10.
R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 9 sc.
R2 to R12: Ch 1, sc across. Turn.
Border with sc around all edges.
Place towel in the raccoon’s paws or inside the laundry basket.

Laundry Basket

The round basket near the raccoon is tan, shallow, and holds folded white laundry.

Use tan yarn. MR, 6 sc in ring.
R2: Inc around. 12 sc.
R3: Sc 1, inc around. 18 sc.
R4: Sc 2, inc around. 24 sc.
R5: BLO sc around. 24 sc.
R6 to R9: Sc around. 24 sc.
R10: Sl st around loosely to form rim.
Handle: Ch 18, sl st to opposite side of basket rim.
Fasten off and sew near the raccoon.

Side Baskets and Wash Accessories

Tall Basket

Make 2 in tan or medium brown.

MR, 6 sc in ring.
R2: Inc around. 12 sc.
R3: Sc 1, inc around. 18 sc.
R4: BLO sc around. 18 sc.
R5 to R13: Sc around. 18 sc.
R14: Sl st around rim.
Handle: Ch 14, sl st to opposite rim.
Fasten off and place under the side shed.

Folded Soap Bar

Use white yarn. Ch 8.
R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 7 sc.
R2 to R4: Ch 1, sc across.
Sc around edge and fasten off.
Sew onto a small brown mat under the shed.

Small Brown Mat

Ch 10 with brown yarn.
R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 9 sc.
R2 to R5: Ch 1, sc across.
Fasten off and sew under the soap bar.

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Raccoon Amigurumi

The raccoon is gray with a white face, black mask, black paws, ringed tail, and rounded ears. It stands under the clothesline holding laundry.

Raccoon Head

Use gray yarn.

R1: MR, 6 sc. 6 sc.
R2: Inc around. 12 sc.
R3: Sc 1, inc around. 18 sc.
R4: Sc 2, inc around. 24 sc.
R5: Sc 3, inc around. 30 sc.
R6 to R10: Sc around. 30 sc.
R11: Sc 3, dec around. 24 sc.
R12: Sc 2, dec around. 18 sc.
Insert eyes between R7 and R8, 7 stitches apart.
Stuff firmly.
R13: Sc 1, dec around. 12 sc.
Fasten off, leaving tail for sewing.

White Face Patch

Use white yarn. Ch 7.
R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 4, 3 sc in last ch, work opposite side, sc 4, 2 sc in last ch. 14 sc.
R2: Sc 1, inc, sc 4, inc 3 times, sc 4, inc 2 times. 20 sc.
Fasten off and sew to lower front of head.

Black Mask

Use black yarn. Ch 11.
R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 10 sc.
R2: Ch 1, sc 3, sl st 4, sc 3. Turn.
R3: Ch 1, dec, sc 6, dec. 8 sc.
Fasten off and sew across the eyes over the white face patch.

Snout and Nose

Use white yarn. MR, 6 sc.
R2: Sc 1, inc around. 9 sc.
Fasten off and sew to lower face.
Embroider a small black nose and short mouth line.

Ears

Make 2 in gray.

MR, 5 sc.
R2: Inc around. 10 sc.
R3: Sc around. 10 sc.
Flatten and sew to top sides of head.

Body

Use gray yarn.

R1: MR, 6 sc.
R2: Inc around. 12 sc.
R3: Sc 1, inc around. 18 sc.
R4: Sc 2, inc around. 24 sc.
R5 to R10: Sc around. 24 sc.
R11: Sc 2, dec around. 18 sc.
R12 to R13: Sc around. 18 sc.
Stuff firmly.
Fasten off and sew head to body.

Arms

Make 2, starting with black yarn.

R1: MR, 5 sc.
R2: Sc around. 5 sc.
Change to gray.
R3 to R9: Sc around. 5 sc.
Lightly stuff.
Sew arms to upper body so they hold the white towel.

Legs

Make 2, starting with black yarn.

R1: MR, 6 sc.
R2: Sc 1, inc around. 9 sc.
R3 to R5: Sc around. 9 sc.
Fasten off and sew to bottom of body.

Ringed Tail

Alternate gray and black stripes.

Start with black. MR, 6 sc.
R2: Sc around. 6 sc.
Change to gray.
R3 to R4: Sc around. 6 sc.
Change to black.
R5 to R6: Sc around. 6 sc.
Change to gray.
R7 to R10: Sc around. 6 sc.
Stuff lightly and sew to back of body, curving to one side.

Small Woodland Helper

The helper is warm brown with a cream face, rounded ears, and a tiny basket of clothespins. It stands to the right of the raccoon.

Head and Body

Use warm brown yarn.

R1: MR, 6 sc.
R2: Inc around. 12 sc.
R3: Sc 1, inc around. 18 sc.
R4 to R8: Sc around. 18 sc.
R9: Sc 1, dec around. 12 sc.
R10: Sc around. 12 sc.
R11: Sc 1, inc around. 18 sc.
R12 to R17: Sc around. 18 sc.
Stuff firmly.
R18: Sc 1, dec around. 12 sc.
Fasten off.

Face Patch

Use cream yarn. MR, 6 sc.
R2: Inc around. 12 sc.
Fasten off and sew to front of head.
Embroider black eyes if not using safety eyes.
Add a tiny brown nose and short smile.

Ears

Make 2 in warm brown.

MR, 5 sc.
R2: Inc around. 10 sc.
Fasten off, flatten, and sew to head.

Helper Basket

Use tan yarn. MR, 6 sc.
R2: Inc around. 12 sc.
R3: BLO sc around. 12 sc.
R4 to R8: Sc around. 12 sc.
Handle: Ch 12, sl st to opposite rim.
Make 5 clothespins by ch 5 with tan yarn and sl st back down each chain.
Place clothespins inside the basket and sew basket to helper’s front.

Blue Bird

The tiny blue bird sits at the front right corner near the mushrooms.

Use blue yarn. R1: MR, 6 sc.
R2: Inc around. 12 sc.
R3 to R5: Sc around. 12 sc.
R6: Sc 1, dec around. 8 sc.
Stuff lightly and fasten off.
Wing: Ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc 2, sc 1. Sew to side.
Tail: Ch 4, sl st back down. Make 2 tail strands.
Beak: Use orange yarn, ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch and next ch. Sew to face.
Embroider two black eyes.

Mushrooms

Red mushrooms with white spots appear near the fence, pond, and right side of the base.

Small Mushroom

Make 6.

Stem: Use white yarn. MR, 5 sc.
R2 to R5: Sc around. 5 sc. Fasten off.
Cap: Use red yarn. MR, 6 sc.
R2: Inc around. 12 sc.
R3: Sc around. 12 sc.
Sew cap to stem.
Embroider white French knots or tiny white stitches on cap.

Large Mushroom

Make 3.

Stem: Use white yarn. MR, 6 sc.
R2 to R6: Sc around. 6 sc.
Cap: Use red yarn. MR, 6 sc.
R2: Inc around. 12 sc.
R3: Sc 1, inc around. 18 sc.
R4: Sc around. 18 sc.
Sew cap to stem and add white spots.

Daisies and Small Flowers

White daisies with yellow centers are scattered near the path, fence, and pond.

Daisy

Make 9.

Use yellow yarn. MR, 6 sc. Join and fasten off.
Join white yarn to any stitch.
Petal: Ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sl st into same yellow stitch.
Repeat one petal in each stitch around for 6 petals.
Fasten off and sew flowers around the lawn.

Tiny Colored Flowers

Make 6 in pink, teal, or white.

MR, ch 2, 2 hdc, sl st into ring.
Repeat 4 more times for 5 petals.
Pull ring closed and fasten off.
Sew near porch, baskets, and path edges.

Hanging Porch Basket

A small colorful hanging basket is placed on the left porch side.

Use tan yarn. MR, 6 sc.
R2: Inc around. 12 sc.
R3 to R5: Sc around. 12 sc.
Change to orange or mixed yarn for a decorative stripe.
R6: Sc around. 12 sc.
Handle: Ch 18, sl st to opposite rim.
Add three tiny flowers inside the basket.
Sew basket to the left porch post so it hangs below the porch roof.

Placement Guide

Sew cottage to the back half of the base, slightly left of center.
Attach porch to the left front wall of cottage.
Place side shed on the right side of cottage.
Sew pond on the front left corner.
Sew stepping stones in a curved path from front center to porch.
Sew front fence along lower edge, leaving a gate gap near the path.
Place mushrooms in clusters at front right, left pond edge, and side shed area.
Place clothesline posts in the right yard.
Stand raccoon below the clothesline, holding the white towel.
Place helper beside the raccoon with the clothespin basket.
Place blue bird near the front right fence corner.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Pin every large piece before sewing. Check the viewing angle from the front, because the cottage, porch, clothesline, raccoon, helper, fence, pond, and mushrooms should all be visible at once.

Sew the roof moss last so it can overlap the roof edges naturally.
Use black embroidery floss for the raccoon mouth, helper smile, and bird eyes.
Add tiny white highlights beside black eyes for a cute handmade look.
Secure all baskets, stones, and mushrooms with several stitches so they do not wobble.

Care Notes

This piece is decorative and not intended for babies or pets.
Spot clean only with cool water and mild soap.
Do not machine wash, because the cottage panels and base contain stiff inserts.
Let the piece air dry completely before storing.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

Roof has brown ribbed texture and several uneven green moss patches.
Cottage has cream walls, dark arched door, brown windows, and white curtains.
Porch has four posts, railings, and a hanging basket.
Garden includes pond, stepping stones, flowers, ferns, fence, and mushrooms.
Washday scene includes clothesline, blue shirt, towel, baskets, raccoon, and helper.
Blue bird is sewn near the front right corner.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

To preserve the cottage shape, store the project in a dry display box or on an open shelf away from direct sunlight. Dust gently with a soft brush, especially around the roof moss, flowers, fence rails, and animal faces.

For small stains, dab the area with a slightly damp cloth. Avoid rubbing the moss, flowers, and embroidered details. If the base bends over time, place the project flat under light books overnight, keeping the animals and cottage roof uncovered.