Felt Toy Donkey Pattern & Tutorial

Make Your Own Dinky Donkey.
DIY Felt Toy Donkey - Free Sewing Pattern & Tutorial.

 

Materials:
Grey wool felt
Small amount wool felt for hat, pannier, and any decoration
Embroidery Floss
Sequins, beads, flowers- your choice of miscellany for decoration
Wool/polyfil for stuffing
Cardstock or tag board for your pattern
Insulated wire for legs (optional)

Got your pattern cut out of wool? Good. Note that the back gusset has marked "A" and "B" points, which match up with the coordinating points on the left and right sides of the body. Match "A" on gusset with point A on one of the sides, and beginning at nose, whip stitch to B. Repeat for other side.

Whip stitch the curve of the under gusset, PAYING SPECIAL ATTENTION to the left and right sides. Make sure you have the right under gusset match up with the right legs, and left to left.

Starting at the top front of the gusset, whip stitch down along a front leg, around hoof, and about an inch up the back of leg. Stuff some wool into hoof then continue along the under body and sew rear leg in the same manner. I chose to use a short length of insulated wire inside the legs for stability but he stands alright with firm stuffing. Continue for other side, leaving a gap in the middle of the gusset for stuffing. Stuff as you sew along, it's much easier that way. Sew up any remaining gaps, like the chest and neck area.

Whew! Go get a drink and smile at your success.
Embroider the hat with whatever stitch, glue ric rac on it, bead it, whatever. Sew the straight edges together and then cut two small slits in the top so the ears can poke through. Fold ears together at the base, then shove 'em through the slits in the hat. Sew ears to hat, then sew to donkey.

Embroider the center fronts of the pannier, then sew straight edges together. Sew pannier base to bottom edge. Sew large loops on the pannier top to simulate flowers, then stitch to top of pannier. Or omit the top entirely and stuff the pannier with flowers like I did, because I can't make loopy embroidered flowers. Cut a strip of wool that is 1" by 3" and sew panniers on either end.

Time to decorate your donkey! Embroider eyes, sew beads around neck, add wool leaves...don't forget to give the little guy a tail. I gave mine a turkey stitch mane and a dangly tail.

Too Cute!