Stuffed Penguin Tutorial (Free Pattern)

Meet Paco the penguin…

…he is a little reserved, likes to keep things cool, and tries to avoid crazy situations…

…he is a great friend and loves to keep little kids company!

You might have seen my recent post (and free pattern) for making a cute stuffed sea turtle – well immediately after I finished that, I set on making this cute guy.  I have a friend for whom I knew I wanted to make one sea turtle and one penguin, so I was super excited to get them both going!

So, here is my little tutorial on how to make your OWN Paco the penguin…or Pete…or Paul…or Prakash =)

First, download and print the pattern pieces (this is made for US Letter size paper, although size is not a huge issue here…but know that printing this full size on an 8.5×11 size paper does not yield a huge penguin…so if you want something bigger, you will need to enlarge it!):

(Please note: This Pattern is only for personal use.  It is copyright protected and not available for commercial use without expressed permission from JAS Photography LLC.  Please email info@jas-photo.com if you would like a commercial license for this pattern)

Next, cut out your pattern pieces:

You need:

1) 2 body pieces

2) 1 face

3) 1 tummy

4) 2 outer black eyes + 2 inner white eye reflections

5) 1 nose

6) 2 feet

7) 4 arm pieces

Then put your face together.  Start with the outer black eyes, and then put the white eye reflections on top.  I did not agonize too much in placement…just eyeballed it.  That’s kind of how I roll for all things.  I used a straight stitch to put the eyes on, and as you can see below – I tried both a straight stitch as well as a quilting applique technique for the nose.  I like both, but I feel like the applique stitch in the contrasting thread looks like too much!  Maybe if it was in the same color it would be ok.

Here is a close-up of the two faces with the different stitches for the nose.  You can decide what you like better!

Nothing fancy…but cute anyways!

Of course after I tried the applique stitch, i then found the matching thread color…oh well…

Next put on the tummy.  Again, I used a straight stitch just inside the edge of the tummy.

Then you attach the feet.  I found the right color thread here, so I used the applique stitch for the feet.

Just make sure not to put them too close to the bottom because the outer 1/4-1/2 inch of the whole side will be stitched into the last seam.

So here is Paco the Penguin’s finished front side!

Next take 2 hand pieces, right sides together, and stitch from the beginning of one curved edge, up to the point, and down the other curved edge.  keep the straight edge open so you can turn it inside out and stuff it.

Once you have done that for both arm pieces, turn them right side out, and stuff them with stuffing.

Then close the arms with a straight stitch along the straight edge.  Then place the arms on the RIGHT side of the front of Paco, and line up the raw edges as you see below.  Then straight stitch it into place.  Make sure to stitch FARTHER from the raw edge than the previous seam used to close the arm.

Are you excited??  We are almost done!

Ok next, take the front piece, and put it right side down on the back piece (right sides together).  Pin them in place.

I think it is helpful to have the front piece on top when you are sewing so that you can see the other seams and make sure you sew outside of the seams for the face and tummy, but inside the arm seams.  Make sure to leave about 1.5 inches open along the bottom of the penguin’s body.

Then turn the penguin right side out through the open part of the seam, and stuff it with your stuffing of choice.  You can also put a little jingle bell inside at this point if you like.

Don’t stuff too much, otherwise the shape of the penguin will be kind of funky…

Once you finish stuffing the penguin, sew the opening closed (I hand sewed this part) and you are done!

Now let Paco free to have some fun!

And make him a friend!

Have fun and I would love to hear your comments/suggestions for improvements.  Thanks!

(Please note: This Pattern is only for personal use.  It is copyright protected and not available for commercial use without expressed permission from JAS Photography LLC.  Please email info@jas-photo.com if you would like a commercial license for this pattern)