I made this photo tutorial so you can see how to sew my Santa Sewing Pattern ~> scroll down for step-by-step photos!
This Santa Sewing Pattern will look great made up in all sorts of Christmas fabrics not just red and green (though I was told he HAS to have GREEN mittens!) This big, huggable Santa buddy would be happy under the tree, on a shelf or next to your favourite elf.
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*** 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 Santa Sewing Pattern can SEE how to sew a Santa Doll! (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 Funky Friends Factory Santa Sewing Pattern)
* The Santa Toy Pattern is available to buy, from the Funky Friends Factory website as an Instant Download e-Pattern.
First choose some fabric
You can sew your Santa from most fabrics, non-stretch fabrics (like cotton, corduroy and quilting fabrics) as well as stretchy/knit fabrics (like fleece, velour, chenille, minky and similar fabrics).
Santa doesn’t have to be red!
Right, let’s get sewing!
Face, Nose and Beard:
STEP 1a
Trace the pattern markings for the face onto the HEAD PIECE on the right side of the fabric. (This is so you can see where to place the NOSE and MOUSTACHE).
STEP 1b
Cut the NOSE PIECE from pink felt. If you are sewing the NOSE in place by machine – do this NOW. Pin the NOSE to the FACE PIECE, using the markings you traced to guide you with the position , and sew it in place.
*NOTE*
If you are sewing the NOSE on by hand – this gets done LATER on (AFTER the HEAD is stuffed).
TIP: Gently pull the top threads to the back and tie them neatly at the back for a neat finish that won’t come undone later!
STEP 2
Pin the FACE PIECE to the BEARD PIECE. Sew from A – B – A. (Use lots of pins – this is a very important seam as it’s on Santa’s face so you want it to be as neat and smooth as possible!)
TIP: Sew this seam, with the FACE PIECE down – so you can ‘wiggle’ the BEARD PIECE to smooth out any wrinkles as you sew and clip the seam well after you sew it – so it will lie nice and flat.
STEP 3
Sew the BACKING PIECE to the BEARD PIECE, matching point C, on both sides and the star pattern marking, at the bottom.
Hair, Hat and Fur:
STEP 4
Sew the HAIR PIECES to the BEARD & BACKING PIECES. Sew from D – C – E.
STEP 5
Fold the HAIR PIECES, with the fabric right sides together, and sew the hair darts closed (1 dart on each HAIR PIECE).
STEP 6
Sew the HAT FUR PIECE to the FACE, BEARD & HAIR PIECES, sew from F – D – A – G – A – D – F.
STEP 7
Pin and sew the HAT PIECE to HAT FUR PIECE, sew from F – G – F, matching the 2 stars of the pattern markings.
EYES:
STEP 8
If you are using craft eyes, insert them now. Cut a small cross in each FACE PIECE to push the eyes through.
TIP: I have a tutorial to show you how to insert craft eyes on my blog.
BODY:
STEP 9a
Sew the FRONT BELT PIECES to the FRONT PIECES.
STEP 9b
Sew the FRONT PIECES together from H – O.
TIP: Don’t worry if they don’t match up E-X-A-C-T-L-Y at the front because the BUCKLE will cover this when you add it later on!
STEP 10a
Sew the BACK BELT PIECES to the BACK PIECES.
STEP 10b
Sew the BACK PIECES together from J – M (leaving them open at the top, between J and K).
LEGS:
STEP 11
Sew the BOOT PIECES together in pairs. Sew down the front of the BOOT PIECES to the X at the bottom. Clip the seams well.
TIP: I like to finger press the seams open at the front of the BOOT PIECES, especially at the top as it make it easier to pin in the next step!
STEP 12
Sew the LEG PIECES to the LEG FUR PIECES.
STEP 13
Sew the LEG FUR PIECES to the BOOT PIECES, matching the dot pattern markings on the sides.
STEP 14
Fold the legs down the front, as shown in the pattern marking, so you can sew them closed. Sew down the back of the LEG, LEG FUR and BOOT PIECES, from the top to Z at the bottom, leaving the gap open for stuffing (on the BOOT PIECES).
TIP: Clip the seams really well, especially at the bottom edge of the LEG FUR.
STEP 16
Pin and sew the SOLE PIECES to the BOOT PIECES, matching X and Z and the pattern markings on the sides of the SOLE PIECES.
TIP: I find this is easiest to sew with the FOOTPAD PIECE facing down.
STEP 17
Clip the seams well then turn the LEGS right sides out and pin them closed at the top so that the seam is in the centre at the back of each LEG.
***DON’T stuff the LEGS now – or they won’t fit
inside the body when you sew it together!
STEP 18
Using the pattern markings to guide you, pin the top of the LEGS to the FRONT PIECES, (with the front of the LEG PIECES touching the FRONT PIECES.) Sew the LEGS in place with a 3mm(⅛inch) seam allowance.
TIP: If the Santa is for a young child you can also zig-zag across the top of the LEGS (and later on, the ARMS as well) so they are held in place extra firmly!
STEP 19
Pin the BACK PIECES to the FRONT PIECES and sew them together, at the sides from E – N (with the LEGS dangling down).
STEP 20a
Push Santa’s legs back up ‘inside his body…
STEP 20b
… and pin the BASE PIECE to the FRONT & BACK PIECES, matching point M,N and O. Sew right around the BASE PIECE without leaving a gap.
ARMS:
STEP 21
Sew the ARM PIECES to the ARM FUR PIECES.
STEP 21
Sew the ARM FUR PIECE to the MITTEN PIECES matching the pattern marking dots.
STEP 22
Sew the arms together in pairs. Leave the straight edge open at the top and leave the stuffing gap open at the back.
STEP 23a
Clip the seams well, especially around the ‘thumb’ area…
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 23b
…then turn the ARMS right sides out. Pin the ARMS closed at the top so both points E are together at the middle of the top edge.
*** DON’T stuff the ARMS now
– or they won’t fit inside the body!
STEP 24a
Pin the ARMS to the right side of the fabric of the FRONT & BACK PIECES, matching point E.
TIP: To make sure the hands are the right way round – check that the ‘thumbs’ point towards the FRONT PIECES.
STEP 24b
Sew the ARMS in place with a 3mm(⅛inch) seam allowance.
STEP 25
Turn the body wrong side out (right sides in?) and push the ARMS and LEGS ‘inside’ the body.
NECK SEAM:
STEP 26a
Pin the HEAD to the BODY at the neck seam. This is the trickiest seam so take your time and use LOTS of pins! I find this is easiest if you start by pinning the BACKING PIECE to the FRONT PIECES at H…
STEP 26b
… then pin the HAIR PIECES to the BACK PIECES, at K on both sides. Then add LOTS of pins in between to make sure the pieces don’t slip as you sew the neck seam. Sew the HAIR & BACKING PIECE to the BACK & FRONT PIECES from K – H- K.
HAT:
STEP 27
Pull the HEAD back out of the BODY. Pin and sew your Santa closed at the back from the top of the HAT to F – K at the back of the HAIR PIECES. Leave the stuffing gap open between K and J.
STEP 28
Trim the seam allowance at the ‘tip’ of the HAT PIECE and use a turning tool to turn the ‘tip’ of the HAT nicely NOW as you cannot do this later once the HEAD is sewn in place!
HEAD:
STEP 29a
***Don’t leave out the HEAD PIECES
or you won’t be able to stuff Santa’s head properly!***Sew the HEAD PIECES together from F – G.
STEP 29b
Push the HAT back ‘inside’ your Santa and pin the HEAD PIECES to the seam of the HAT, FACE & HAIR PIECES, matching F and G.
TIP: It is hard to get the seams to lie flat at F ( at the back of the HAT PIECE) but this is OK because you don’t sew across that part.
STEP 29c
Sew the HEAD PIECES to the bottom edge of the HAT PIECE, leaving a gap at F. (Just sew as close as you can to point F, this will hold the stuffing in the head)
TIP: I find it easiest to sew this seam with the HEAD PIECES facing down.
ASSEMBLY:
STEP 30a
Turn your Santa right sides out through the stuffing gap and stuff the HEAD, BODY, BOOTS and LEGS. Stuff the ‘thumb’ area of the MITTENS very firmly, then stuff the rest of the arms, leaving the top 1½cm (½ inch) of the ARMS empty.
STEP 30b
Sew the ARMS and LEGS and BACK PIECES closed with a ladder stitch.
NOSE & MOUSTACHE:
STEP 31
Cut the NOSE PIECE from pink felt. Pin the NOSE in place using the markings you traced to guide you with the position and sew it to the FACE PIECE with a blanket stitch (or use fabric glue to stick it down).
STEP 32a
Cut a rectangle of fabric for the MOUSTACHE. Trace the MOUSTACHE PIECE on the wrong side of the fabric and cut a slit on this piece as shown on the pattern markings.
STEP 32b
Lay this piece of fabric on another piece, with the right sides together. Sew right around the MOUSTACHE, on the sewing line you traced. Cut the MOUSTACHE out with a 3mm (⅛inch) seam allowance.
STEP 32c
Clip the seams at the middle so the MOUSTACHE will turn nicely.
STEP 33a
Turn the MOUSTACHE and use a wooden chopstick to push the seams out gently.
STEP 33b
Stuff the MOUSTACHE and sew the turning gap closed with a ladder stitch.
(Use a matching thread – I just used a dark thread for this photo so you could see my stitching!).
STEP 34a
Sew the MOUSTACHE in place, using a matching thread, sew around the centre of the MOUSTACHE at least 3 times so it is nice and firm…
STEP 34b
…and then stitch the sides to the FACE and BEARD PIECES. (You could use fabric glue instead).
STEP 35a
Sew (or glue) the BLACK BUCKLE PIECE on top of the GOLD BUCKLE PIECE.
STEP 35b
Sew or glue the BUCKLE on the FRONT BELT PIECES to cover the centre seam.
STEP 36
Sew a bell on the tip of Santa’s HAT so it folds down. If you do not have a heavy bell, you can use a pom-pom BUT you will need to pull the HAT down to one side and sew the tip to the head to hold it down.
Your Santa is ready to LOVE!
Come join the fun on Facebook!
When you’ve made your own toy Santa – come and post some photos of your NEW Funky Friend for me to see on my Funky Friends Factory Facebook page.
You could WIN a FREE PATTERN in the MAKER OF THE MONTH Pattern Giveaway!
I can’t wait to see the Funky Friends you sew!
bye for now,
Pauline
