Before you start your first stitch, gather these essential supplies:
- Felt Sheets: Wool-blend felt is sturdier and holds stitches better than cheap acrylic felt, though acrylic is fine for simple practice.
- Embroidery Floss: This is thicker than regular thread and adds a beautiful, handmade look.
- Needles: Embroidery needles with a slightly larger eye are easier for kids to thread.
- Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill (poly-fill) is the standard for making your plushies “squishy.”
- Fabric Glue: For tiny details like eyes or spots that might be too fiddly to sew.
- Scissors: A sharp pair of fabric scissors is vital for clean edges.
25 Adorable Felt Plushie Ideas to Try
Animals & Creatures
- Llama with Pom-Poms: Catch the llama craze! Add colorful mini pom-poms around its neck for a festive, “Boho” look.
- Pocket Sloth: A tiny, sleepy sloth that fits in a pocket is a great comforting toy for kids.
- Round Owl: Use overlapping felt semi-circles to create a “feather” effect on the owl’s chest.
- Narwhal with a Golden Horn: A simple teardrop shape for the body and a small yellow triangle for the tusk.
- Miniature Fox: Use bright orange felt with white accents for the cheeks and tail-tip.
- Kawaii Cat: Keep the face simple—just two small beads for eyes and a “W” shape for the mouth.
- Felt Shark: A great way to practice the “blanket stitch” along the fins.
- Elephant with Floppy Ears: Sew the ears separately so they can move.
- Bumblebee: Practice alternating yellow and black felt strips.
- Magical Unicorn: Use scraps of colorful yarn for the mane and tail.
Food & Nature
- Smiling Avocado: The “pit” can be a separate brown felt circle sewn onto the center.
- Glazed Donut: Use pink “frosting” felt on top and add colorful thread “sprinkles.”
- Happy Star: A classic five-point star is one of the easiest shapes for absolute beginners.
- Toasted Marshmallow: A simple white cylinder with a cute face.
- Watermelon Slice: Great for practicing “seed” embroidery.
- Cactus in a Pot: Use green felt for the cactus and brown for the “soil.”
- Pineapple: A yellow oval with crisscross embroidery to mimic the skin texture.
Characters & Seasonal
- Snowman Friend: A perfect winter project. Let kids stick on the carrot nose and coal buttons.
- Gingerbread Man: Use white “rick-rack” or paint for the icing details.
- Reindeer Ornament: Add a red pom-pom for the nose!
- Tiny Robot: Use square and rectangular scraps to make a “boxy” friend.
- Monster Pencil Toppers: Leave the bottom open so they can slide onto a pencil.
- Heart “Love Bug”: Join two hearts together to create the body.
- Fairy Mushroom: A red cap with white polka dots.
- Ghostie: The simplest design of all—just two pieces of white felt and black eyes.
Master the Basic Stitche
You only need two or three stitches to make almost any plushie on this list.
1. The Running Stitch
This is the most basic stitch. Simply weave the needle in and out of the fabric in a straight line.
- Best for: Adding decorative details or sewing simple seams.
2. The Blanket Stitch
This creates a beautiful “bordered” edge that is synonymous with felt crafts.
- How-to: Push the needle through, but before pulling it tight, loop the thread under the needle.
- Best for: Closing the edges of your plushie to keep the stuffing inside.
3. The Whip Stitch
A very fast and easy stitch where you simply “whip” the thread over the edge of the fabric.
- Best for: Attaching small pieces (like ears or eyes) onto the main body.
Comparison of Plushie Styles
| Plushie Type | Difficulty | Best Use |
| Pencil Toppers | Very Easy | School Supplies |
| Keychains | Easy | Backpack Charms |
| 3D Animals | Medium | Play & Gifts |
| Pocket Friends | Easy | Comfort Toys |
Pro Tips for Success
- The “Stuffing” Secret: Use a pencil or chopstick to push stuffing into small areas like arms, legs, or ears.
- Knotting: Always start and end your sewing on the inside of the plushie so the messy knots are hidden.
- Templates: If you aren’t confident drawing freehand, trace a cookie cutter onto the felt for perfect shapes every time.
- Safety First: For very young children, use “Safety Eyes” (plastic snap-ons) or embroidered eyes instead of small beads to prevent choking hazards.
Sewing felt plushies is a screen-free activity that builds patience, fine motor skills, and a sense of pride. There is nothing quite like the feeling of holding a tiny friend you made with your own two hands!
