Flannel Stuffed Animal

Move over Easter Bunny! How about some Easter elephants? {laughing} I actually didn't make these because of Easter. Last June I made a Naptime Bundle for one of the boys. I loved the little elephant with it so much that I decided to make one for each of my kids. I used flannel for them which is actually a fabric I didn't like to sew with until I discovered Raspberry Creek Fabrics. This shop has a beautiful selection of soft flannel. Many of the designs are sold in coordinating bundles that inspired me to make both the Naptime Bundle and the Baby Bundle. If you haven't ever tried sewing with flannel, take a look at some of the options that Raspberry Creek Fabrics has and try one of my tutorials. This would be a great one to start with...

Supplies
basic sewing supplies (scissors, pinking shears, thread, pins...)\
sewing machine
felt
flannel (Mine came from Raspberry Creek Fabrics)
buttons
stuffing
pattern (Save the one below to your desktop and print it.)

Directions
1. Fold your flannel to have two layers with right sides facing. Print off the pattern piece above, cut it out, and pin it to the flannel. Tip: When you are printing, enlarge the pattern as needed. Cut around the pattern through both layers of flannel to make your elephant pieces. Draw a ear like the one shown. Cut it out and pin it to the felt. Cut around the pattern to make an ear piece. Repeat these steps to make a second felt ear.
2. Choose two buttons for the eyes
3. Sew a button to each elephant piece where an eye would be.
4. Pin a felt ear to each elephant piece and sew them in place with your sewing machine. Pull the pins out.

5. Lay the two elephant pieces on top of each other with right sides facing. Place a few pins to keep them together. Set your stitch length to about .8-1 and use a zigzag stitch to begin sewing around the elephant pieces. I like to start on the top of the elephant's back and sew towards the front. Leave a gap that is about 3 inches wide. Remember to backstitch at the start and finish. Tip: It makes it easier if the gap you leave is along one of the flatter parts of the elephant. That is why I go in the direction I mentioned above.
6. Pull out any remaining pins. Use your pinking shears to trim off the excess fabric.
7. Turn the elephant right-side-out. Use a chopstick or pen to help turn out the smaller parts.
8. Fill your elephant with stuffing. Tip: Stuff the trunk first and then work out from there. Once your elephant is completely stuffed, fold the fabric at the gap inside itself and sew it closed. Now you have a cute stuffed animal that would be great as a gift, toy, or room decor.

The kids loved their little elephants so much that they have been carrying them around. I think they were a hit! Have you ever tried sewing with flannel?

Happy sewing!