There’s something so lovable about penguins. Their comical waddles, funny dives, and playful personalities make them a favourite with kids and adults alike. So, of course, I had to create a penguin stuffed toy! This simple penguin softie sewing pattern is perfect for beginners and a great sewing project for kids.
In this post, you’ll find a free printable penguin pattern, a step-by-step photo tutorial, and a link to my video tutorial on how to sew a penguin softie—everything you need to make your own adorable felt penguin toy!
This tutorial has been put together to accompany my “how to sew a penguin softie” video I made for Youtube thanks to a generous grant from Waverley council. If you want more easy to sew stuffed toy videos follow me on Youtube!
Materials you’ll need to sew a penguin softie
This is a quick and easy felt sewing project using just a few basic materials.
8″ x 8″ black felt
7″ x 6″ white felt
5″ x 2″ orange felt
pins
1/2 cup rice
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Sew a Penguin Soft Toy
Download and cut out the free Penguin pattern templates.
Use the paper templates to cut out shapes from felt.
Pin the two sides of the body together.
Sew the two sides together leaving an opening for stuffing.
Pour in half a cup of rice or any other weighting material.
Add polyester fibrefill as stuffing.
Sew the opening closed.
Glue on eyes and feet. Glue beak onto black felt head marking and then glue onto body to hold in place.
And now all you have to do is give him or her a name.
And if you’d like another penguin tutorial you can look at Pengi too.
Happy sewing
If you try this project or have any questions about sewing with kids, feel free to reach out orjoin the Sew a Softie Facebook group. I love seeing your finished penguins.
Would this project be appropriate for 4 and 5 year olds?
Hi Rachel!Yes that project could be sewn with 4 or 5 year olds but having said that it would depend. Are you sewing with a group of 4 and 5 year olds or just one child? How many kids in the group. How many helpers etc. If i were sewing with a group I would tend to start with a project like Square Zenki…straight lines to start sewing. I can help further if you give me more details 🙂
What kind of glue did you use? I’m planning on cutting out the felt ahead of time for the 5 year olds and hopefully they’ll be able to handle the sewing. We’ll have about 15-20 kids in each group and hopefully around 10 helpers. For the older kids (due to time constraint) I’m going to pre-trace the patterns on the felt, but let them cut, sew, and stuff. I only have about 20 minutes. I’m hoping they can finish in time. Does the glue hold long term?
Hi. I use Bostik Glu stick but I think that glue is only available in Australia. All the thick sticky PVA glues like Aleenes tacky glues work well. But I always check the glue i’m using because not al glues work will all felts. Those glues are long term!
20 minutes is quite a short time especially if you’re getting the kids to cut out(depending on their age…you didnt say).
To make things quicker with the younger kids (if that is also only 20 minutes) you can have the penguin pieces pinned and the needle and thread already started in their felt so they just need to start sewing.Also pre threaded needles can help in you’re short on time.
Hope this all helps!
Are you joining the Global Kids Sewing Party?