I’ve been busy these last few days beginning to assemble the June edition of the Magazine. We always begin with “Tips for Stitchers” (you can find some of our earlier tips on this blog – please just select the Tips for Stitchers category from the list on the right). This month’s tip is about making the most of your fabric stash – including using fabrics that may have been in your collection for quite some time. And, having written this tip, it was time for me to put it into action!
I had a good sort out of my stash when I moved from Devon to Somerset, as I knew I wouldn’t have so much storage space. I simply couldn’t bring myself to part with some beautiful 1930’s medium weight cotton fabric (in great condition, freshly laundered and pressed) featuring peonies and jasmine so I brought it with me. I have used some to make new Roman blinds for my workroom windows, but still had a quantity remaining with no likelihood of being able to use it in the foreseeable future.
It seemed such a pity just to leave it in a box, so I wondered what I could do with it….. which is how Flora the Elephant was “born”!
Isn’t she pretty!! She stands around 9″ tall and her tail is hand-twisted (by Rosie and me) cotton twine. Her under body and ear linings are a lovely soft pink wool blend felt and her eyes are two shiny black beads. She’s completely machine stitched (apart from closing her stuffing gap and attaching ears and eyes) so is surprisingly fast and easy to make – my Flora only took a couple of hours to sew. This makes her a great project for newbie softie stitchers!
I have just a very few Flora kits remaining that include this delightful vintage fabric (you can find them here) But as there are lots of other pretty floral fabrics available I thought it would be fun to share the pattern with you – as I’m sure lots of people have some great fabrics in their stash that would be perfect to make up into their very own version of Flora.
If you’d like the free pattern to make your very own Flora then please visit our free patterns page, and if you do decide to make your own Flora, then I’d love to see how she turns out!
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Very cute, thank you! 🙂 /Vera
Thank you for free pattern. It is hard ro find free ones for softie out there especially for beginner.. I appreciate it.
Thank you very much! It’s so cute!
Thanks for the pattern. I used to have one back in the 70’s and I have misplaced it somewhere. Who knows after all these years. Mine was somewhat different but I loved making them for my children.
Thank you for the adorable Floral the Elephant pattern! What a nice welcome gift! So far I am loving your patterns and newsletter! So glad I found you!
Willow
Thanks so much Willow, that’s really lovely of you xxx
I’ve made all but the ears on the elephant. I can’t find a tutorial showing how to pleat and attach the ears. Can you tell me how this is achieved?
Hi, yes of course Leah. When you’ve made the ears and closed all the seams, simply pinch a small pleat into the straight side with your fingers and catch with a few stitches. Then secure the ear to the side of the head curving the straight seam around the body shape. Hope this helps xx
Mil gracias por compartir el patrón. Dios bendiga tu corazón amable.
Thank you very much for this adorable pattern!
I love this elephant & want to make it for my grandson
How did you attach the ears? This is the only step I’m having a hard time understanding. I am pretty much self-taught so specific terminology doesn’t make sense to me. Did you cut a slit in the side of the elephant or did you attach them once the body of the elephant was complete?
Hi Racheal – thanks for your query – they are simply stitched in place once the body is complete. x
I have never made a stuffed toy.
It was fun and I’m happy with the outcome.
That’s great – I’m so pleased you’re happy with your project
Hi, I’m having trouble cutting this out. I’m trying to use one fat quarter 18 x 21 and it’s not enough fabric. Can you show me the pattern layout?
Sorry Tammy as it’s a free pattern I don’t have a layout for you. But a FQ should be plenty – unless you’re trying to make the whole softie from it – don’t forget that the underbodies and ear linings are actually felt, so are not included in the requirements for the cotton fabric.
She’s DARLING! thanks!
I downloaded this for my daughter who loves elephants thankyou fot the pattern
You’re very welcome Caroline, I hope your daughter likes it 🙂 xx
Great elephant
Thanks Caroline 🙂 So pleased you like her! xx
Many thanks for this free pattern. I am looking forward to making it.
You’re very welcome! xx
I ordered the Softies patterns from your Etsy blog, but am already a member, and get the magazine. Really nice to know someone is awake there to send me new information.(unlike some places that would not have picked it up.).that I don’t need.
Finding Softies that are adorable and not too hard to make is wonderful….plus the prices being right also.
I consider myself a good customer of yours. I tell lots of friends, but not sure if any contact you.
Keep Bustling and Sewing, we Yankees with British parenthood love it all.
Thanks so much for your kind comments Margaret and I’m delighted you’re enjoying the magazine – do watch out for our 100th issue celebrations this week!
Hello
I just seen this beautiful elephant and would love love love to have the pattern for it. Is there a website for it as I don’t see it on here. Thank you ever so much
Hi Yvonne – as it says in the post, you’ll find it on our free patterns page. Hope you enjoy making your Flora.
I’m going to make this for a friend as a gift from baby clothes of her son that passed away. Did you find it easier with a certain place to start/sequence of putting the pieces together? I’m very new to sewing, have never made an stuffed animal before and not sure where to start without directions! Thanks!
Hi Hannah, what a lovely idea. I would start by attaching the under gussets, then sewing the legs to keep the pieces stable. Finally insert the head gusset and sew up the back, stuffing as you go.
Hope this helps.
Best wishes
Helen xx
Loved making this! Ive never made a ‘3d’ sort of toy before but the pattern was so easy to follow and loved that it came with instructions…all for free!
I don’t see the pattern piece for the head gusset in the free pattern you sent me. This elephant is so cute!
Hi Nicole, the head gusset runs along the back and down the trunk, it’s one continuous piece. Hope this helps x
I LOVED making this! Its only my 2nd sewing project in years and definitely the most complicated I’ve ever tried. It has turned out so cute! But I can’t figure out how to sew on the eyes… was I supposed to do this before closing the stuffing hole?
No Colette, you sew them on afterwards as you need to pull the thread tightly to make small hollows in the stuffie for them to sit in. Use a long needle for best results.
Would it be possible to have the elephant cut out pattern please.
Hi Denise, there’s a link further down the post to our free patterns page where you can download the full pattern with templates xx