I think I've got it at last !! I didn't use any adhesive backing, hooped the fabric and cut away stabiliser together, floated another piece of tear away underneath, and although I can see a tiny pucker, I've decided that a blind man would love to see it, and to give up the struggle ! Many thanks to everyone for your help.

an older lady that taught me to quilt would say can a man galloping by on a horse see it? I can't see a pucker at all and i am sitting still. You are fine and it looks adorable. For some reason that fabric looks exactly right for him.

There's a skent and dent store near where we live and their advertisement is a little old lady old lady that asks where's the dent? So...where's the pucker? LOL!!!

Great job!! Love it!
Hugs, Angel

He looks great. Congratulations!

I sincerely want to get this right. so there is no backing just the fabric, I sometimes use a iron on backing, maybe I shouldn't, then you cut out the hippo with iron on backing? and floated tear away under the hoop? thank you Toni lee

Beautiful! I would love to be at your level :)

I think you are being too hard on yourself. You have done a great job with the little hippo

That's cute! Well done, Pat. I can't see the tiny pucker...
Hugs, Lidia

Fantastic, very cute!

love it it pops out at you good job hugs

Looks good. Well done Hugs

Brilliant job Pat, love it. Love Chris

I'm so glad you found the method that works for you. Great job.

Congratulations and what pucker

well done! Glad that you are happy with it. ~hugs~

Well done!

Love the stripes!

very cute ~ great job!

This is so cute. If you did not mention the tiny pucker I would never have thought to look for it. I with the blind man because I can not see it. I love the design. Thank you for sharing it.

Great...lookin' good!

Good job! I enlarged your picture and still don't see. I think it's in your memory now, only. :)

Yay! Congrats :)

Well done...Always a first time..Only way we learn!!!!A Lovely design....