Felt Elephants - Boy and Girl

My daughter is a big time elephant lover and her favorite colors are pink and blue. Although she has many elephant stuffed animal, I couldn't quite find one with her favorite colors. So I made these for her. This is a felt elephant whose legs and tails can be moved! My tutorials include lots of illustrations start to finish. It is easier than you think! Finished height of the doll is 7.75". The boy elephant wears a necktie simply made of ribbon, and the girl elephant wears a ribbon and a tutu. I included an instruction on how to make this adorable tutu. Would you make them for nursery decor or for gift for any elephant fan?

~ Aki

Materials to make one elephant:

• Felt sheet: two 9" x 12" of your favorite color and scrap of white
• Embroidery floss
• Stuffing like poly-fill
• 9 mm safety eyes
• 1 pipe cleaner
• 4 buttons (about 10 mm)
• Red pencil or pastel
• Ribbons for necktie or bow
• Elastic (1/4" x 6") for tutu
• Tulle for tutu
• Scissors
• Embroidery needle and pins
• Disappearing ink marker or pencil
• Awl

Cutting felt pieces:

Print out patterns on a standard US letter size paper (8.5" x 11"). 8" x 10" paper may also work. Cut out the pattern pieces. Trace the cut out patterns onto felt with pencil or marker. Carefully cut along the marked line. Key is to use sharp scissors and a steady hand! If pieces are too small to handle, try taping the pattern piece onto your felt. Then cut along the line.

Stitches used in this project are applique stitch, whip stitch, blanket stitch, and ladder stitch. Refer to these pictures to see how they are done. One strand of embroidery floss is all you need for each stitching.

Fold the trunk piece in half and whip stitch one side as shown. Leave the thread still attached.

Open and squash. Sew couple of small stitches at the top. Fold and twist a pipe cleaner. Insert in the trunk and stuff the trunk with poly-fill.

Pin the trunk on the head piece. (Use the pattern as a guide.) Attach the trunk using applique stitch.

Make two small holes using an awl and insert safety eyes. Secure the eyes.

Whip stitch the darts on the wrong side of the head pieces.

Straight stitch eye blows and eye lashes.

Sandwich ears between the head pieces. Stitch around the head. Attach the ears by stitching trough all layers of felt. Fill with stuffing tightly and stitch all the way.

Whip stitch the darts on the wrong side of the body pieces.

Stack the body pieces together facing the wrong side of fabric. Whip stitch the pieces together. Fill stuffing and sew all around.

Fold the leg in half. Whip stitch the side as shown. Add some stuffing.

Attach the foot piece using blanket stitch. Fill with stuffing. Use a stick to push stuffing as needed. Stitch all around.

Connect the head and the body together using ladder stitch. Stitch securely and tightly all around the neck area.

Attach the legs holding with buttons.

Applique stitch the tail. Rub red pencil on cheeks. You can use your cheek powder if you want. You may decorate it with ribbon or tie a necktie.

1. Make 5" round elastic by sewing the ends together.

2. Cut tulle into 2" x 5 1/4" strips. You need about 30 strips.

3. Tie tulle on the elastic and flip it down. Tie more until full.