How to Make a Stuffed Elephant

A stuffed elephant is a simple craft project for all sewers, regardless of skill level. If you are giving your stuffed elephant away as a gift, you can customize the elephant to the interest of the receiver, by either adding a monogram or other decorative touches.

Things You'll Need

• Elephant pattern
• Tracing paper
• Scissors
• 2 pieces of gray felt
• Straight pins
• Permanent marker
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Cotton batting or cluster fill
• Chopstick or pencil
• Needle and thread
• Decorative pieces (optional)
• Hot glue gun (optional)

Instructions

1. Draw the shape of the elephant you would like to create. If you are uncomfortable drawing your elephant freehand, try printing out a picture of an elephant that you like and tracing the shape onto a piece of tracing paper. Be sure to draw your elephant pattern to the size of the stuffed animal you want to create. Use the "enlarge" feature of a copy machine if necessary. Cut out your pattern.

2. Position two pieces of gray felt one on top of the another and pin in place with straight pins. Lay your elephant pattern on top of your felt and pin in place. Trace around your pattern with a permanent marker. Then remove your tracing paper pattern.

3. Sew your two pieces of felt together along the traced lines of your elephant. Leave an unsewed gap of approximately one inch to allow access for inserting the stuffing.Cut out your elephant, leaving approximately 1/2 inch excess material outside the seams.

4. Turn your elephant inside out through the hole. Use a chopstick or pencil to push out corners and thinner pocket areas. Fill your stuffed elephant with pieces of cotton batting or cluster fill. Use your chopstick or pencil to completely fill the smaller areas. You want your elephant to be well stuffed and plush; not using enough batting will cause your stuffed elephant to look lumpy and misshapen.

   Use a needle and thread or a sewing machine to close the one-inch hole.

5. Add decorative elements to personalize your elephant, such as You can add more pieces of gray felt for floppy ears, or buttons for eyes. For an Indian theme, try adding pieces of sari material to the elephant’s back to look like a decorative saddle. Pieces of white felt can also be sewn on or hot glued to look like tusks or toenails.

References

• Karen's Variety: Elephant Stuffed Toy