How to Sew Christmas Penguins

It is time to get ready for winter and Christmas. I came across this pattern from Lucy Ward at Gathered and just had to create it for you. This was a remarkably simple to make and really cute for this time of year. In the original pattern the designer used plush fabrics but I decided that this project needed to be a little more Christmasy so I used a variety of cotton fabrics for my penguin. If you would like more holiday sewing and crafting projects head over to my holiday project vault.

What you will Need: How to Sew Christmas Penguins

• Pattern you can get by clicking on this link
• 1/4 yd white fabric
• 1/4 yd light gray fabric`
• 1/4 yd black fabric
• 1/8 yd red fabric
• 1 button
• Black embroidery thread
• Polyester fiberfill
• Standard sewing supplies

Step 1: Cut the Fabrics

Using the pattern, cut out the pieces. I used white fabric for the body, face, base, and wings. The head gusset, feet and beak are black and the scarf is red.

Step 2: Stitch the Front Body Dart

On the pattern you will see a triangle at the bottom. Fold the front body piece right sides together so that that triangle is folded down the middle. The triangle is the dart. With the piece right sides together stitch along the dart line through both layers. Trim the excess fabric from the dart.

Step 3: Stitch the Wings

There are four wing pieces. Place two wing pieces right sides together and stitch all the way around leaving an opening on the side. Repeat for the second pair of wing pieces. Stuff the wing pieces using the polyester fiberfill but leave the top third unstuffed. Close the openings using ladder or invisible stitch.

Step 4: Stitch the Feet

There are four feet pieces. Place two pieces right sides together and stitch around the sides and bottom. Add the fiberfill to the top of the foot. Repeat for the second pair of feet pieces.

Step 5: Add the Feet to the Body Front

Take the feet and pin them to the front body piece next to each other with the dart between them matching the raw edges. Tack the feet onto the body front using a 1/8″ seam allowance.

Step 6: Stitch the body

Place the body front piece to one of the body side pieces. Stitch from point A to point B using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Make sure to ease the pieces so they lay flat against each other. Repeat for the other side body piece. Finally, stitch the back.

Step 7: Add the Base

Pin and stitch the base to the body right sides together. Start by stitching the sides. Once the sides are stitched, sew the front. Ease them to keep the flat. Turn right sides out. Stuff using fiberfill.

Step 8: Stitch the top of the body

Using a running stitch, stitch around the top of the body making sure that the edges are rolled inward.

Step 9: Add the Wings

Pin the wings to either side of the body. The top edges of each wing should be horizontal to the floor. Stitch the wings in place using ladder stitch. Once the wings are stitched, stuff the body.

Step 10: Create the Head

Pin one face piece to one side head piece with right sides together. Ease the pieces then stitch using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Repeat for the other side. Stitch the gusset to one side then the other using a 1/4″ seam allowance making sure to ease the fabrics so that they lay flat.

Step 11: Create the Beak

Place the beak pieces right sides together stitch on the sides and leaving an opening for stuffing. Add fiberfill to the beak. Take the end to keep the stuffing in.

Step 12: Add the Beak

Step 13: Add the Head

Place the head onto the body opening and pull the running stitch. Hand stitch the head to the body using ladder stitch.

Step 14: Stitch the Eyes

Using a standard embroidery backstitch sew the eye to the white part of the head.

Step 15: Create the Scarf

Stitch the scarf right sides together along a curve on each end and leaving an opening on the side for turning. Turn right sides out and press. Topstitch all the way around making sure to close the opening.

Step 16: Add the Scarf

Wrap the scarf around the neck of the penguin. Cross the scarf over in the front of the penguin and secure with a Christmas button.

I hope you enjoyed this fun Christmas penguin project. If you would like more sewing and crafting projects subscribe to our free newsletter and receive access to our free printable library.

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