This narwhal softie is an easy beginner sewing project for adults and children alike! Non-fraying wool felt and a few simple stitches will give you a cute project and sweet toy to treasure.
I've always had a soft-spot in my heart for the "unicorn of the sea." Narwhals are mysterious, beautiful creatures steeped in lore and loved by all unicorn fanatics (myself included). The Last Unicorn
was easily one of my favorite movies as a girl, and that affection has not waned since!With this life-long love interest, you can imagine my girlish squeal when helping my 2 year old son open Christmas presents to see that his aunt had bought him a copy of "Not Quite Narwhal
" by Jesse Sima.
A perfect book for any child who feels a little "different" (aptly fitting for my son and myself who are both autistic), I instantly fell in love the first time we read it for story time! My youngest is now officially obsessed with unicorns and narwhals right along with his mama, so when I heard about the "Sew a Softie" month of July, I knew that my "teaser" opening blog post should be a softie featuring one of our family's favorite animals!
The premise of the "Sew a Softie" movement is an initiative to put down the electronics and foster some patience and love of hand-sewing. I, personally, love hand-sewing! It's relaxing, beautiful, useful, and fun! My sewing machine regularly gathers dust between projects, because I will hand-sew to oblivion before turning that thing on!
If you are a total beginner--have no fear!! This post (and the other wonderful sewists who contribute free patterns for the movement) is meant to inspire and teach beginners, children, and experienced crafters alike. There are a few stitches to learn that will be super easy in no time (after a little practice) and many of the projects involve non-fraying wool felt--the perfect fabric for beginners!
I definitely recommend using wool felt only for this pattern! It is much sturdier and more durable (not to mention more beautiful and softer) than the acrylic wanna-be felt found at craft stores. I purchase my felt from several sources, namely Joggles and My Felt Lady.
The other supplies are easily found on Amazon or craft stores (I usually opt for Amazon, because 2-day shipping and toddlers). The pattern was hand-drawn by me and does not need to be resized unless desired by you or your child :)
**When you click on the pattern link below, you'll be taken to a download page. The pattern is FREE and will be sent to your email address for downloading and printing. This is a more secure and easier way for you to receive your pattern. This also adds your email address to my newsletter list, but if you would like to opt-out of newsletters, there is always an "unsubscribe" button at the bottom of your emails--although I really hope we can stay friends :)
To Make Your Narwhal Softie, you'll need:
- "Sing Sweet Narwhal" Pattern
- 2 Complimentary Colors of Wool Felt (2 standard 12x18 sheets will make you a fleet of narwhals or one very large one)
- Embroidery Thread
- Embroidery Scissors
- Embroidery Needles
- Stuffing (this can be pollyfill stuffing or some cotton balls
pulled apart)
Method for Sewing Your Narwhal:
Print your pattern and
cut it out. You can either trace it onto your felt with a Disappearing Ink Pen 
or pin the pattern to one felt sheet at a time (you'll need 2 narwhal
"bodies" and one fin) and cut it out.
or pin the pattern to one felt sheet at a time (you'll need 2 narwhal
"bodies" and one fin) and cut it out.
**Tip: When cutting felt, it’s important to use small, sharp
scissors. Embroidery Scissors
are best, as they provide the most accurate,
clean results. If you are completely new to the stitches I mention below—or
even how to make a knot in your thread—you can see how to do all of them in
this video tutorial.
are best, as they provide the most accurate,
clean results. If you are completely new to the stitches I mention below—or
even how to make a knot in your thread—you can see how to do all of them in
this video tutorial.
Next, you’ll want to pin your fin to the narwhal’s body and
use a backstitch to attach it. As you can see in my photos, I chose to embroider one fin and do an appliqué fin on another. The look is up to you!
Once finished, draw your narwhal’s features onto your top
felt piece with the disappearing ink pen or a pencil. Use backstitches again to
add the mouth and eyes, then use French knots or tiny pearls (using a simple running stitch through all of the pearls) for the freckles.
If you would like a better template than drawing them
directly onto the fabric, trace the pattern onto a piece of tissue paper, pin it
to your narwhal’s body, and sew through the paper and your felt.
Once finished with your embroidery, simply rip the paper away (which is really fun for kids) and your stitches will stay where they need to be!
I personally prefer drawing straight on the fabric, because the stitches come out neater, but whichever makes you more comfortable!
Once finished with your embroidery, simply rip the paper away (which is really fun for kids) and your stitches will stay where they need to be!
I personally prefer drawing straight on the fabric, because the stitches come out neater, but whichever makes you more comfortable!
Once totally happy with your embroidery, you’ll need to use
a blanket stitch (also in the video) to sew your two narwhal bodies together.
Remember to leave a little opening on the belly to add stuffing before
completely closing your stitches!
Take a photo of your finished narwhal and tag me
@cinderellasews on Instagram or leave a “Tried It” review on Pinterest to show
off your handiwork! I hope you enjoyed this tutorial, there will be many more
to come 😊 If you'd like to see more, remember to sign up for the newsletter!
Hugs,
Welcome to Sew a Softie month Ashley. Your narwhal softie is beautiful and you've written a great simple to follow tutorial. Looking forward to seeing more of your amazing softies.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Softies are so fun to make, I'll be hatching new ideas soon :)
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