Looking for a creative way to celebrate International Dot Day with your kids or students?
This easy Dot Day sewing project is perfect for classrooms, homeschoolers, or any parent wanting to mark this special day with a handmade softie. Meet the Dot Day Zenki—a fun, wobbly, felt softie that’s full of energy and charm!
Whether you’re a teacher looking to incorporate textile art into your curriculum or a parent encouraging creativity at home, this hand sewing project is simple, engaging, and ideal for kids of all ages.
✨ What is International Dot Day?
International Dot Day (celebrated on or around September 15) is all about celebrating creativity, courage, and the power of a simple mark—like a dot! Inspired by The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, it’s a day to explore the potential that lives inside each of us.
🧵 What Is a Zenki?
If you’re new to Zenkis, they’re simple, friendly softies I designed especially for kids. They minimize sewing problems and maximize creativity.
Want more Zenki ideas? Check out my book
📗 The Zenki Way: A Guide to Designing & Enjoying Your Own Creative Softies – includes templates, project ideas, and classroom guidance!
🧰 What You’ll Need to Sew Your Dot Day Zenki
- Pink felt (for the face)
- Blue felt (for the front body)
- Aqua felt (for the back body)
- White felt (for eyes)
- Needle & thread
- Black embroidery thread (for the mouth)
- Pins or sewing clips
- Stuffing
- Scissors
- 📥 Download the Free Dot Day Zenki Template
OK, let’s get started.
This is Dot Day Zenki climbing a tree. But he also likes to do other things. This one loves to dance. You’ll soon find out what your one likes to do once you’ve made him or her.
Step by Step: How to Sew your Dot Day Zenki
Trace and cut out Dot Day Zenki’s face from pink felt, the front of his body from blue felt and the back of his body from aqua felt.
Cut out two eyes from white felt. You can do this freehand or use the templates. For some useful ways to cut out neat circles from felt, have a look at my video on easy ways to cut out circles from felt.
Position the eyes on the face and sew into place with a french knot. This creates the pupils. If you don’t know how to sew a french knot you can learn how easy it is from my video or just glue on eyes and pupils.
Lastly, I’ve used a single stitch of black thread to make the mouth.
Pin and sew Dot Day Zenki’s face onto the front of his body. Remember to leave an opening for stuffing as shown above.
Stuff and sew the opening closed. At this point Dot Day Zenki will start to look very happy as he is almost complete. Of course, he might be a she.
Pin and sew the front and back of his or her body together.
And that’s it!
Your happy Dot Day Zenki is ready to shout and sing and dance and rave and tell all the world that International Dot Day is here!!! Yay!!!
Tips for Teachers and Parents
💡 Customization
Encourage kids to make their Dot Day Zenki truly their own—add spots, stripes, extra eyes, or wild color combinations!
📚 Learning Extension
After sewing, have students write a short story or draw a picture about their Zenki’s “Dot Day adventure.” This blends textile art with literacy skills.
🪡 Classroom Management
For younger students or large groups, prepare by pre-cutting the felt pieces. This keeps the sewing session smooth and gives kids more time for the fun part—decorating and stitching.
Watch the quick tutorial here: Dot Day Zenki Video
Have a fun, creative Dot Day wherever you are, Trixi
✏️ Author Bio
Trixi Symonds is the founder of Sew a Softie, an initiative that inspires parents and teachers around the world to teach kids to sew. She’s the author of several books and a passionate advocate for creativity in education.