Turtles are quite cute animals. They are also a must for your collection of stuffed animals. Here is how to make a stuffed turtle with a free tutorial. It is quite easy.
The main part of the tutorial is by Make it & Love it. It features the pattern which you need. You can print it out and cut it into the desired size or you could simply redraw it, whichever is easier for you.
Next is the gathering of materials. You need somewhat durable fabric, one that is not that easy to stretch. The reason is that you need the fabric to be able to hold its shape. The colors are up to you. You can opt for patterned fabric or a plain color.
The next step is to cut the pieces. Place two of each leg pieces facing each other with their right sides. Sew them together and leave the top part open. Repeat for the other three legs.
Using the same technique now sew the head and tail. Now turn all of the pieces inside out. You may use a pencil or a pen to help you out if you’ve made smaller pieces.
Now it is time to stuff the parts. You can use cotton, foam, pellets, polyester fiberfill. Again you can help yourself with a pen or a pencil to stuff the parts evenly. Don’t over do it though, as you don’t want bloated looking parts. Then you can sew the open end closed. Leave about a quarter of an inch from the end. You will need that for the attaching the pieces to the body later.
As the head is ready now, you can add eyes to it. You can also add facial features like mouth, nose, eyebrows. One way is to embroider them on, another is to cut felt and glue it in place.
You can also add some detailing to the legs.
Sewing the top part of the shell is also easy. Again, place two pieces right sides facing each other one on top of the other. Then sew along the edges. Remember that the black dot on the pattern marks the top of the shell. Sew the pieces only on one side up until the pointy middle.
You have to start sewing from the pointy middle down along the side. Start from the exact middle of the line. Next open up the pieces. They will be the sides of the shell.
Now grab one of the side sections and pin the head of the stuffed turtle to the front end with the raw edges matching up. Place it about half an inch from the bottom of the shell. Then place the tail at the other end, also about half an inch from the bottom as well. Sew the head and tail in place, about a quarter of an inch from the edge.
Then place the other side of the shell right on top, with right sides together. Sew from the center top, down one side. Then start at the top again and sew down the other end. Now turn the shell inside out.
Now flatten the shell on the table. Center each foot at the center edge of each shell section. Using a quarter of an inch seam allowance, sew each leg in place.
Next turn the shell inside out again and place it on with the dome facing up. Pin all sides of the turtle, to attach the shell to the bottom. Then sew all the way around the base of the turtle, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Leave about a three inch opening along one side, between two of the side legs.
Use that opening to turn the turtle inside out again and the stuff the body of the turtle. Next tuck the raw ends towards the inside and use a blind stitch to sew the opening closed.
The turtle is now complete. Give it a name and present it to the rest of your stuffed animals.
