7 Felt Animal Patterns and Sewing Tutorial – (with Video)

Last Updated on August 9, 2023

Felt Animal Patterns and Sewing Tutorial: A versatile and tactile fabric, Felt can transform your artistic visions into adorable, huggable companions. Whether you’re an experienced seamstress or a novice eager to explore the realm of sewing, this blog post is your gateway to crafting charming felt animals that come to life with every stitch.

Felt Animal Patterns and Sewing Tutorial

Felt Animal Patterns and Sewing Tutorial

Here, you’ll find step-by-step guidance that demystifies the art of sewing felt, allowing you to create endearing animal companions that radiate warmth and joy. Let your imagination run wild as we guide you through this enchanting journey of creativity and craftsmanship.

1. Making Ladybugs, Sheep, Highland Cow, Horses with felt

In this simple guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of getting started with this fun and creative craft. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to expand your crafting skills, needle felting offers endless possibilities.

Tools and Materials

  • Needles: Start with a needle in your kit. Needles come in different gauges (numbers) – the lower the number, the larger the needle. A triangular-shaped needle with barbs is commonly used for felting.
  • Needle Holder: Some kits may include a tool holder for holding multiple needles, making your work faster and more efficient.
  • Finger Protectors: These optional protectors prevent accidental needle pricks while felting.
  • Wool: Use carded wool for needle felting. Carded wool sticks together when gently pulled and can be molded into shapes.

Basic Technique: Making a Felted Ball

Making a Felted Ball
Image Source: Felts by Philippa
  • Roll a small amount of wool into a loose ball shape.
  • Put on finger protectors if desired.
  • Insert the needle straight into the wool and then pull it out in the same direction and angle.
  • Continue inserting and pulling the needle, alternating between sides to prevent twisting.
  • Gently twist the wool ball as you work, ensuring even felting.
  • Rub the ball between your hands to smooth and firm up the fibers.

Creating Shapes

Felt Animal Patterns and Sewing Tutorial - Creating Shapes
Image Source: Felts by Philippa
  • For an oblong shape, roll a longer piece of wool and felt it along the length.
  • To create animals or objects, form the basic shape using wool and then felt to secure.

Example Projects

Felt Animal Patterns and Sewing Tutorial
Image Source: Felts by Philippa
  • Ladybugs: Create adorable ladybug brooches or hair clips by shaping red and black wool.
  • Sheep: Craft a cute sheep by felting white and gray wool together. Add facial features and legs.
  • Highland Cow: Make a highland cow using wire for the frame, clay for horns, and wool for the fur.
  • Horses: Create a horse with a wire frame and add wool for mane, tail, and body.

2. Sew an Adorable Elephant Using Felt

Learn the art of crafting an adorable felt elephant with this charming DIY guide. Using simple hand-sewing techniques and soft felt fabric, you’ll create a delightful stuffed elephant that’s perfect for gifting or adding a touch of whimsy to your space.

Follow step-by-step instructions to cut, stitch, and assemble the felt pieces, bringing your elephant to life with cute details and a personal touch.  

3. DIY Woodland Felt Mouse

Discover the enchanting world of DIY crafting with the Tiny Craft World YouTube channel as they guide you through creating your very own Woodland Felt Mouse. This charming hand-sewn project uses soft and colorful felt to bring adorable forest magic to life.

Join their step-by-step tutorial to learn how to craft this delightful creature and add a touch of whimsy to your crafting repertoire.

4. Sheep Baubles | Needle Felting Animals

Here is another easy and fun needle felting project! You can make adorable sheep baubles that you can use as decorations or gifts. Let’s dive in!

Materials You’ll Need

  • Different colored wool
  • Felting needles (various sizes)
  • Ribbon or string
  • Scissors

Step-by-Step Instructions

  • Make the Body: Shape a small round ball from wool and wrap it tightly. Use the felting needle to shape it into a compact ball.
  • Add Legs: Make four legs from white carded wool. Attach them to the body by poking them in with the felting needle.
  • Create the Head: Form a cone-like shape for the head, slightly wider at the top. Firmly felt the head and attach it to the body.
  • Add Face Details: Using small bits of colored wool, create eyes, mouth, and nose. Attach them to the head with the felting needle.
  • Shape Ears: Make two ear shapes from carded wool. Attach them to the head with the felting needle.
  • Add Tail: Shape a tiny round tail from wool and attach it to the back.
  • Coat the Body: Wrap the sheep with your chosen wool color. Poke it with the felting needle to cover the body.
  • Attach Hanging Ribbon: Tie a ribbon or string around the sheep’s head and secure it with the felting needle.
  • Finish Up: Trim excess wool and tidy up the sheep’s shape.
  • Display or Gift: Your sheep bauble is ready! Hang it up, put it on your tree, or give it as a charming gift.

Tips

  • Be patient and take your time while poking the wool to shape your sheep.
  • Try different wool colors and textures for unique effects.
  • Have fun and enjoy your cute sheep baubles!

4. Needle Felted Sleepy Mice

Unleash your creativity with the charming art of needle felting! Join Sara Renzulli from Sarafina Fiber Art in crafting adorable Sleepy Mice with soft felt and your hands.

With the Sleepy Mice Supply Pack, you’ll have everything you need to create 8 to 12 lovable mice, perfect for gifts or decorations. Get ready to be captivated by the world of needle felting – but be warned, once you start, you won’t be able to resist making more of these delightful creatures!

5.  Zoo Animals Felt Finger Puppets Top of Form

This step-by-step guide is based on the Zoo Friends pattern available on the Etsy shop. With this pattern, you can craft a delightful cast of animal finger puppets, including lions, giraffes, bears, monkeys, and elephants. These hands-on creations are perfect for beginners and are sure to bring joy.

Bear Felt Finger Puppet

Bear Felt Finger Puppet
Image Source: Floral Blossom
  • Sew the head to the front body piece using a whip stitch.
  • Leave an opening for stuffing and then sew it closed.
  • Glue the nose to the muzzle and the muzzle to the bear’s head.
  • Mark eye and mouth placements with a pen, then sew on bead eyes.
  • Glue ears in place and sew the front and back body pieces together using a whip stitch.

Elephant Felt Finger Puppet

Felt Animal Patterns and Sewing Tutorial - Elephant Felt Finger Puppet
Image Source: Floral Blossom
  • Sew the head pieces together, leaving an opening for stuffing.
  • Close the opening and sew bead eyes onto the head.
  • Glue the head to the front body piece and attach the ears.
  • Sew the front and back body pieces together, leaving an opening for the finger.

Lion Felt Finger Puppet

Lion Felt Finger Puppet
Image Source: Floral Blossom
  • Glue the mane to the front body piece and attach the ears.
  • Sew the head to the mane, leaving an opening for stuffing and then sewing it closed.
  • Glue front hair and nose to the face, then sew on bead eyes.
  • Glue the other mane to the back body piece and sew the front and back pieces together.

Monkey Felt Finger Puppet

Monkey Felt Finger Puppet
Image Source: Floral Blossom
  • Sew the face to the head piece using a whip stitch.
  • Sew the head to the front body piece and close the opening.
  • Glue the nose and sew bead eyes onto the face.
  • Attach ears and belly to the front body piece, then sew front and back pieces together.

Giraffe Felt Finger Puppet

Giraffe Felt Finger Puppet
Image Source: Floral Blossom
  • Sew the head to the front body piece and close the opening.
  • Prepare the muzzle piece with nostril holes and sew bead eyes.
  • Glue horns and ears to the head, then sew front and back body pieces together.
  • Glue gray felt to the back of the muzzle and attach it to the head.
  • Add orange spots to the giraffe’s body.

By following these steps, you’ll create a charming collection of Sleepy Mice finger puppets perfect for playtime, storytelling, or even cute decorations. This craft allows you to explore your creativity and develop your needle felting skills while crafting adorable characters that will bring smiles to all who see them. Enjoy the journey of making your needle-felted animals!

6. Felt Animals Puzzle

The Felt Animals Puzzle is an enchanting and educational activity for toddlers. Handcrafted using soft felt, these two-piece puzzles provide an engaging way for little ones to learn about animals and foods while enhancing their counting skills.

With the help of the felt animal puzzle pattern, you can create a delightful set that captures the imagination and curiosity of children. As they combine the pieces, young minds will be captivated by the vibrant colors and charming designs, making learning a joyful adventure.

7. DIY Mouse Cat Toy Your Pet Will Love

Create a delightful playtime experience for your feline companion with our DIY Mouse Cat Toy. Using the free Miss Felt Designs pattern, this simple hand-sewing project guarantees hours of entertainment.

Dive into the step-by-step tutorial and craft a charming mouse toy from felt – a great way to engage your pet while indulging in your crafting passion.

This versatile design can also extend to crafting handmade Waldorf felt animals, promoting eco-friendliness with natural materials like wool felt and cotton stuffing. Give your furry friend the joy they deserve with this adorable, easy-to-make toy!

Tips for Successful Felting

  • Start with firm but gentle needle motions.
  • Be patient; felting takes time and practice.
  • Alternate your needle entry and exit points to avoid breaking the needle.
  • Avoid over-felting in one spot to prevent creating holes.
  • Experiment with different amounts of pressure to achieve desired firmness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, embarking on crafting your own felt animal creations has never been more exciting and accessible. Our exploration of these 7 felt animal patterns and sewing tutorials has opened up a world of creativity and imagination. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or a beginner eager to dive in, these patterns offer endless possibilities to bring adorable critters to life.

Ask any Question Here!