Little Stuffed Dinosaur Pattern

Today’s pattern is one I designed many years ago for my son.  He left for college this past week, leaving behind some things to be sorted.  I found the “original” dinosaur among his things & thought it would be fun to share the pattern.  This stuffed dinosaur pattern will be great for upcoming Christmas gifts or birthdays.  I think I may make some more little stuffie patterns & maybe some larger ones too!  If y’all have any suggestions, just let me know in the comments.  Now, let’s make a dinosaur!

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The Original

My son had a fascination with dinosaurs from an early age.  He used to ask me to read dinosaur fact books as bed time stories – which almost put me to sleep!  The original dinosaur has lost it’s hind legs over the years.  I designed the legs to be movable, so maybe they were twisted a little too far!

The finished dinosaur measures about 5″ tall by 8 1/2″ long.  Here’s what you’ll need to make one ~>

• the pattern
• a fat quarter ~ more than enough!
• stuffing ~ just a little needed
• needles ~ regular sharp & upholstery needle
• button thread ~ for sewing on the legs
• buttons {optional}
• ballpoint pen or favorite tracing tool
• fabric scissors
• pins {optional}

I like to trace my pattern onto a piece of light weight cardboard.  An old cereal box or gift box is perfect!  I find a ball point pen works great for tracing templates where the traced edge won’t be seen.  My fabric is folded in half & I just placed a pin in the centers to help hold things together when cutting.

You will need to cut two body pieces & 8 leg pieces – this is on the pattern.  Once everything is cut out, it’s time to sew it together!

Sewing the Dinosaur

I used my 1/4 foot to sew this, to help keep a more accurate seam.  When going around curves, keep an eye on the back edge across from the needle.  This will help maintain that 1/4″ seam.  I also go slower around the curves, taking a few stitches & then turning slightly.  When you come to an inside curve the edge will want to go over the foot.  Make sure the needle is down & lift up the foot to get the fabric back under it.

You will need to leave an opening in each leg & the body, backstitching at each end.  I left my opening on the bottom of the body & legs, however, I suggest leaving an opening on the backs of the legs.  The opening on the bottom of the legs was too small & it was a booger trying to turn everything!

I used a bodkin & “that purple thang” to help turn things right side out.

The purple “thang” also came in handy when it came time to stuff everything.  I found the square end helped grab the stuffing & push it into smaller spaces.

Once he was all stuffed, I slip stitched the openings close with regular needle & thread.

Attaching the Legs

You will use the upholstery needle & button thread for these steps.  I double threaded the needle & knotted the end.

1. Insert the needle about centered on the top of one leg & pull through to the knot.
2. Take a small stitch & pull the needle back through the back side.
3. Insert the needle about midway through the upper torso, just behind where the neck meets the body & pull through to the other side.  There are no location marks for this, since I just eyeball it.
4. Grab a second leg & insert the needle through the back, pulling everything closer together.  Take a stitch & go back through everything to the opposite side.
5. I went back through to the other side, over the same stitch & came back thru once more up behind the leg to knot the thread.  Basically you’re going through everything twice.

Repeat steps 1 thru 5 for the back legs.  These are attached close to where the tail starts to taper.

Finishing Up

Now my dinosaur has legs to stand on!

These legs a movable, which means he can do downward dog!

I decided to add buttons to cover the stitches & now my dinosaur is ready to strut his stuff!  ; D

The buttons can be added when stitching on the legs, but that was too much for me to juggle at once.  ; )  This was fun to make & didn’t really take that long.  Maybe I’ll sneak one in my son’s Christmas stocking this year – just for fun!  Hope y’all are having a marvelous Monday!

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