Crafting for a Cause Penguin Softies

Penguin Softies Free Patterns

I thought that you might appreciate a project for a cause that you could do with kids for kids. This is why I created these penguin softies to help provide Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief. I designed these penguins to be versatile and accessible. The three penguins shown in photo A were made with the same base pattern. Under the instruction, I explain how to achieve three different end results with the same base pattern. The penguins range between two and three inches tall. You could make them all into an ornament by adding a loop or a backpack adornment by adding a hook. If you want the penguin to be a larger toy, then just enlarge the pattern to the desired size. Photo B penguin could be used as a finger puppet if you don’t stuff him. The penguin softies are accessible because you only need basic crafting skills.

A) These were made with same pattern.

Materials

Penguin Softie (pink)

Pink Penguin Felt Colors

National Nonwovens Woolfelt®: fuchsia for the penguin base, Cotton Candy for the face/body, black for the eyes, gold for beak and and feet, and lilac for flower (plus yellow embroidery floss for flower center)

Penguin Softies (traditional black and white)

Traditional Black and White Penguin Felt Colors

National Nonwovens Woolfelt®: black for penguin base, white for face/body, and Hallow’s Eve for beak and feet

Penguin Softie Ornament

Penguin Softie Ornament Felt colors

National Nonwovens Woolfelt®: purple for penguin base, black for eyes, white for face, fuchsia for scarf, and Hallow’s Eve for beak

Embroidery Floss or Sewing Thread to match the color you’ve chosen for the penguin’s base. (If making the ornament, then use embroidery floss.)

Poly-fil® fiberfill

The Warm Company Steam-A-Seam 2® Double Stick Fusible Web or Fabric Glue

Embroidery Needle

Iron and ironing board

Scissors

Pencil

Patterns

Pattern A is provided twice. The one done as a line drawing has the flower embellishment used for the pink version. Click on the pattern name below to download or print the PDF pattern. Printing Note: make sure the fit on page box is checked to print.

How to Make Penguin Softies

Print out pattern. (If you are using Steam-A-Seam, then follow manufacturer’s instructions on product usage.) Cut to separate pieces.
Place the pattern pieces on the felt color chosen for that piece, such as black for the penguin base.
Cut the pieces out.
Blanket stitch the side edges of the penguin base together. If you are unfamiliar with the stitch then click here for the tutorial. Or, you could do the running stitch. If you aren’t familiar with the stitch, then click here for the tutorial. In either case you should create a 1/4″ seam.
Iron or glue pieces onto the penguin base. Use photos below for reference. Photo A—the heart-shaped piece should be approximately centered on the base. Photo B—the curved edge of the arm should be 1/2″ above the bottom edge of the base and the beak is centered on the heart-shaped piece. Ornament face detail: the beak is a 1/2″ above the V shaped bottom.
A-Heart-shaped piece centered on base.

B-Penguin Softie Pink
Stuff.

Finishing Penguins

Sew closed. Sew back and forth as shown in the photo below for the two traditional colored penguins. This will flatten the bottom. Continue working in the blanket stitch for the pink and purple softies.
Attach feet. Whichever method you used in step five (glue or fusible web), use here to attach the feet. The pink softie gets its feet sew to the back.
Embellish the pink softie with the flower. Use the French Knot stitch to attach the flower to the head and to create the center of the flower. If you don’t know the French Knot stitch, then click here for the tutorial.
Complete the ornament. Use embroidery floss to create a hanging loop. Cut 1/2″ wide by 9″ long strip from the fuchsia for the scarf. Apply the adhesive medium you chose for this project to the bottom edge of the ornament. Fold strip in half. Place the ornament next to the fold. Tie strip into a knot.

Pin129