I made this photo tutorial so you can see how to sew my Good Luck Elephant Sewing Pattern ~> scroll down for step-by-step photos!
Georgie will be a cute gift for anyone you feel could do with a little bit of luck in their life!
I wouldn’t recommend this pattern for beginners because the tusks and trunk are a little bit fiddly. If you are new to sewing toys you should look at my easy patterns instead!
*** PLEASE NOTE – this is ONLY a PHOTO TUTORIAL ***
The FULL PATTERN IS NOT included here.It is NOT A FREE PATTERN!
I have made this photo tutorial so people who have purchased my Good Luck Elephant Sewing Pattern can SEE how to sew a toy elephant with its trunk UP! (I wanted to explain this so you are not disappointed if you have found this page via a search engine and not from the link in my Georgie the Good Luck Elephant Sewing Pattern)
Start with the TUSKS:
STEP 1
Sew the TUSK PIECES together in pairs.
STEP 2
Trim the seams to 3mm(⅛ inch) and turn the TUSKS right sides out.
TIP: I like to use a wooden chopstick to help turn the seams nicely. Run the end of the stick back and forth along the stitching inside until the seam is nice and smooth.
STEP 3
Stuff the TUSKS with a small bit of toy stuffing – don’t overstuff them – you want them to be quite flat!
STEP 4a
Pin the TUSKS to the HEAD PIECES, using the pattern markings to guide you.
STEP 4b
Fold the fabric of the HEAD PIECES right sides together and sew the tusk darts closed with the TUSKS ‘inside’ the tusk dart.
STEP 4c
Pin each TUSK to the HEAD PIECE so it points to the front and sew a line of stitching across the base of each TUSK, sewing through all layers of the TUSK and the HEAD PIECE. This will make the TUSKS ‘lie down flat’ and face the front!
TRUNK GUSSET:
STEP 5a
Pin the TRUNK GUSSET PIECE to one of the HEAD PIECES.
STEP 5b
Sew the TRUNK GUSSET PIECE to the HEAD PIECE from A – B but do NOT sew to the edge of the TRUNK GUSSET PIECE – stop at point B. (see diagram below)
HEAD:
STEP 6
Pin and sew the other HEAD PIECE to the TRUNK GUSSET PIECE and sew them together from A – B.
STEP 7
Pin and sew the HEAD PIECES together from B – C, leaving them open between C and D. (This is very important so it’s easier to sew the neck seam later!)
STEP 8a
Clip the seams very well and turn the trunk right sides out and use a wooden chopstick to turn the seams so they are nice and smooth.
STEP 8b
Stuff the trunk area of the HEAD PIECES now. It is really hard to stuff the trunk later on so do this now.
EYES:
STEP 9
If you are using craft eyes, insert them now.
TIP: I have a tutorial to show you how to insert craft eyes on my blog.
EARS:
STEP 10
Sew the EAR PIECES together in pairs and turn them right sides out. Trim the seam allowance to 3mm(⅛ inch) and turn the EAR PIECES right sides out and use a wooden chopstick to help turn the seams smoothly.
STEP 11
Fold the top of the EAR PIECES down as shown by the pattern markings and pin and tack (baste) the fold down so it won’t slip as you sew the EARS in place.
STEP 12
Pin and tack (baste) the EARS in place between the pattern markings on the HEAD PIECES.
TIP: Make sure that the fold of the EAR is touching the HEAD PIECE as you in it in position so they will be facing the right way!
FRONT & BACK (BODY):
STEP 13
Sew the FRONT PIECES to the BACK PIECES from H – K.
TIP: Make sure to match the cross pattern markings – it is EASY to get muddled and pin the one of these pieces UPSIDE DOWN! 🙁
STEP 14
Sew the BACK PIECES together along the top from H – M.
*Leave the FRONT PIECES open between D and H.
LEGS:
STEP 15
Sew the OUTER FRONT LEGS to the FRONT PIECES matching the single dot pattern marking.
STEP 16
Sew the OUTER BACK LEGS to the BACK PIECES matching the 2 dots pattern markings.
STEP 17
Sew the INNER FRONT LEGS to the TUMMY PIECE.
TIP: Match the 3 dots of the pattern markings.
STEP 18a
Sew the INNER BACK LEGS to the TUMMY PIECE.
TIP: Match the 4 dots of the pattern markings.
STEP 18b
Stop and check – your PIECES should look like this from the other side!
TAIL:
STEP 19
Sew the TAIL PIECES together in pairs and trim the seams to 3mm(⅛ inch).
STEP 20
Turn the TAIL right sides out and run the end of a chopstick along the seam so it is nice and smooth.
*** Do not stuff the TAIL ~ or it won’t lie flat.***
STEP 21
Pin and sew the TAIL to the TUMMY PIECE at M.
* Pin it to the RIGHT SIDE of the fabric!
SEW THE SIDES:
STEP 22
Sew the elephant together at the sides in 3 steps – using the BODY SEWING DIAGRAM to guide you.
- Sew SEAM 1 (at the front) from N – O – G.
- Sew SEAM 2 (at the back) from P – Q – M.
- Sew SEAM 3 (between the front and back legs) from R – S – T- U.
TIP: Take your time and use LOTS of pins so the pieces don’t slip as you sew!
SEW THE HEAD TO THE BODY:
STEP 23
Pin the HEAD & TRUNK GUSSET PIECE to the FRONT & TUMMY PIECE at the neck seam.
TIP: I find the best way to do this is to place the head ‘inside’ the body so it is facing back into the elephant’s body.
STEP 24
Pull the head ‘back out’ of the body and sew the HEAD PIECES and FRONT PIECES closed along the top from C – D – F, leaving the gap open for turning the elephant on the FRONT PIECES, between F and H, as shown on the pattern markings.
PIC
STEP 25
Pin and sew the FOOT PADS to the bottom of the LEGS.
TIP: I have a photo tutorial on my blog with step-by-step photos how to make perfect feet without any ugly wrinkles! ~>
ASSEMBLY:
STEP 26
Clip all the seams well, especially the curved bits then turn your elephant right sides out.
STEP 27
Stuff the rest of the trunk and HEAD area very well then stuff the LEGS and the rest of the body with toy stuffing.
TIP: Pin the TAIL to the TUMMY PIECE as you stuff the body. This will make sure the TAIL lies down flat.
STEP 28
Sew the stuffing gap closed with a ladder stitch.
EMBELLISHMENTS:
STEP 29a
If you are using beads, buttons or embroidering the EYES, sew them now.
TIP: If the toy is for a young child use embroidery thread to sew a French knot instead of a bead. I have a post about toy safety on my blog with more toy safety tips and guidelines.
STEP 29b
Cut the CLOVER PIECE from felt. Pin the CLOVER on your Elephant and when you are happy with the placement, and glue or sew it in place.
You can choose ~
which do you think is cuter…
on the forehead or ‘rump’ (BACK)?
Your Good Luck Elephant is
ready to LOVE!
Come join the fun on Facebook!
I LOVE to see how your Funky Friends toys turn out!
When you’ve made your own Good Luck Elephant Toy you can come show it off ~>
Post a photo on my Funky Friends Factory Facebook page for me to see and YOU could win a FREE PATTERN!
Till next time,
Happy Sewing,
Pauline
