Adorable Felt Elephant Sewing Tutorial for Kids

Updated at: 23/03/2025

Elephants are undeniably charming, and what's even more delightful is creating your own adorable felt elephant! This tutorial offers a simple and fun sewing project perfectly suited for kids, even those just beginning their crafting journey. With just a few basic supplies and some simple hand-sewing skills, you'll be able to whip up a cuddly felt friend in no time. No complicated patterns or advanced techniques are required, making this a perfect project for a rainy afternoon or a fun weekend activity. The satisfying process of creating something with your own hands is wonderfully rewarding, especially for young crafters.

This charming felt elephant is not only a delightful toy but also a fantastic opportunity to improve fine motor skills and boost creativity. Get ready to unleash your inner artist and create a truly unique keepsake. Let's dive into the step-by-step instructions to bring your adorable felt elephant to life!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Grey felt
  • White felt circles
  • Black and grey thread
  • Polyester stuffing or cotton wool
  • Needle
  • Pins
  • Scissors
  • Elephant templates
Safety Guidelines
  • Adult supervision is required at all times. Young children should not use needles or scissors without direct guidance from a responsible adult.
  • Keep all small parts (buttons, beads, etc.) away from young children to prevent choking hazards. Ensure that any embellishments are securely attached.
  • Use sharp scissors and needles to prevent injury. Always point scissors downwards when not in use and away from oneself and others.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare Materials and Cut Felt

    • Download elephant templates and cut out felt shapes.
    Download elephant templates and cut out felt shapes.
    Prepare Materials and Cut Felt

  2. Assemble Elephant Head and Trunk

    • Pin the head and ears to the front body piece, ensuring the trunk aligns with the back.
    • Whip stitch the right side of the trunk and head, removing pins.
    Whip stitch the right side of the trunk and head, removing pins.Whip stitch the right side of the trunk and head, removing pins.
    Assemble Elephant Head and Trunk

  3. Add Eyes and Facial Features

    • Stitch white felt circles in place for eyes, then stitch on a smile and pupils using black thread or beads.
    Stitch white felt circles in place for eyes, then stitch on a smile and pupils using black thread or beads.
    Add Eyes and Facial Features

  4. Attach the Tail

    • Sew the tail (two layers of felt) to the back body piece.
    Sew the tail (two layers of felt) to the back body piece.
    Attach the Tail

  5. Sew and Stuff the Elephant Body

    • Sew together the front and back pieces, stuffing as you go, starting from the front leg and working your way around.
    Sew together the front and back pieces, stuffing as you go, starting from the front leg and working your way around.
    Sew and Stuff the Elephant Body

Read more: DIY Picture Frame from Oat Cartons and Fabric: A Simple & Unique Craft

Tips

  • To avoid pricking fingers when cutting with kids, draw around the templates and cut on the lines.
  • Reverse the templates so pen lines are on the inside.
  • Match the grey thread to your felt color.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Uneven Stitches

Reason: Inconsistent tension on the needle while stitching leads to messy and uneven looking seams.
Solution: Practice maintaining a consistent, gentle pull on the thread throughout the stitching process.

2. Stuffing the Elephant Too Tightly

Reason: Overstuffing makes the elephant look lumpy and misshapen, and can even cause seams to burst.
Solution: Firmly but not tightly stuff the elephant, leaving some room for the felt to drape naturally.

3. Incorrect Placement of Pattern Pieces

Reason: Improperly aligning pattern pieces before cutting or sewing leads to mismatched or asymmetrical features.
Solution: Carefully pin the pattern pieces to the felt before cutting and double-check alignment before sewing.

FAQs

What kind of felt should I use for this project?
For best results, use a medium-weight felt. It's sturdy enough to hold its shape but still easy for little hands to sew through. Avoid very thin felt as it can be difficult to work with, and very thick felt might be too challenging for beginners.
What if I don't have a sewing machine?
This tutorial is designed for hand-sewing! Hand-sewing is a great way for kids to develop their fine motor skills. You'll only need a needle and thread.
My child is very young; can they still participate?
Absolutely! Younger children can help with simpler steps like stuffing the elephant or choosing the colours. Adult supervision is always recommended, especially when using needles.