Two Toned Elephant Softie

My kids are growing up but their love for soft toys doesn't seem to be decreasing so far. So when my daughter received her first sewing kit on her birthday, she decided she wanted an elephant softie. Off we went in search of an easy pattern - we printed a few but in the end I decided to make our own.

And then I asked her if she wanted a boy elephant or a girl elephant. Well, she couldn't decide and then said she wanted one of each. So we compromised with a blue and pink elephant (it's blue on one side and pink on the other).

Here's a small tutorial in case you want to make one too.

Materials needed: 

• soft felt in two contrasting colors (you can also use fleece)
• the pattern - download here
• sewing thread
• two buttons for the eyes (if you're making this for a baby, replace the buttons for a small circle of felt in the color of your choice and sew it tightly)
• polyester filling 

Instructions:

• print and cut the pattern 
• place the pattern over the felt and trace all around
• cut the elephant pieces
• sew the ears first - make sure they mirror each other

• place the body pieces one on top of the other, wrong sides together, and sew with a simple stitch or a blanket stitch, adding the filling as you go. 

I usually prefer to sew all around and leave just an opening for filling, but in this case due to the size of the trunk and the legs, it's easier to fill them while you are sewing for better access.

This elephant is still nameless, but has been following my daughter everywhere so I'm guessing she's happy with the result. And proud too, because she helped with the pattern drawing and cutting and with the filling as well.  

Happy Monday,