How to Make a Felt Stuffed Animal

Making stuffed animals from felt is a fun way to dress up a gift package. This stuffed animal pattern is a cute little teddy bear that has a pocket sewn right to his front. He's quick and easy to make, and his pocket accommodates lollipops or candy canes to be inserted, as the pocket includes his legs. You don't need a sewing machine--just a simple blanket stitch. This stuffed animal bear is a relaxing craft project you can do while watching television.

Things You'll Need

• Bear design, approximately 8 inches wide by 10 inches tall
• Lightweight cardboard
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Caramel-colored felt
• Straight pins
• Disappearing ink pen
• Brown embroidery floss
• Embroidery needle
• Stuffing
• 5/8-inch flat brown button
• Blush and cotton swab
• Black dimensional fabric paint
• 1/4-inch ribbon
• Craft glue

Instructions

1. Trace your bear's shape onto lightweight cardboard. Cut out the shape. Trace another bear shape, cut out and cut in half horizontally across the bear's tummy. Discard the top part of the second pattern.

2. Place two layers of felt together. Place the full bear-shaped pattern on the felt and trace around the edges using the disappearing ink pen. Pin the felt layers together and cut them out. Place the half bear pattern on a single layer of felt. Trace around the edges using the disappearing ink pen and cut it out.

3. Cut the embroidery floss into a workable length about an arm's length long. Separate the floss into three strands. Thread a length of floss onto the embroidery needle. Blanket stitch along the straight edge of the half bear tummy and finish off.

4. Layer the two full bear pieces and the half bear piece matching the edges. Pin the layers together. Starting on one side of the bear tummy blanket, stitch around the bear through all three layers. Stop when there is 1 1/2 inches left. Fill the bear with stuffing. Continue to blanket stitch the bear closed and finish off. Your bear is now formed with a small pouch pocket on the front.

5. Stitch a 5/8-inch flat brown button to the center of the bear face using the embroidery floss. Apply blush to the cheeks using the cotton swab. Paint two mini chocolate chip-size black eyes above the nose using the black dimensional fabric paint. Cut an 18-inch length of 1/4-inch-wide ribbon and tie it into a 3-inch bow. Allow the ends to hang down. Apply craft glue to the back of the bow and place it at the bear's neck. Allow the paint and craft glue to dry.