SUPPLIES & TOOLS:
- 2 colors of patterned cotton fabric
- Coordinating thread
- Contrasting embroidery floss
- Polyfil®
- Pins
- Needle
- Scissors
- Chopstick
- Sewing machine (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
- Print pattern and piece together whale top and whale bottom. Make sure on the print settings to click scale to fit media. Cut out all paper patterns and trace onto fabric. Cut out the fabric pieces by adding 1/4" around outer edge of the traced lines.
- Place right sides of whale top pieces together and pin. Place right sides of whale bottom pieces together and pin. If hand stitching, backstitch along the drawn guideline of the whale top pieces from nose to end along the top. If using a machine, use a straight stitch from the top portion of nose to end. Repeat along the whale bottom pieces from nose to end along the bottom guideline.
- Line up the whale top and whale bottom and pin together. Right sides should be facing each other. Pin these together and sew sides closed to fully form the whale body, leaving the very end of the tail open.
- Using your chopstick or other turning device, flip the whale right-side out. Stuff with Polyfil.
- Place two of the contrasting fabric pieces for the whale fin together, ride sides facing each other. Sew along the guideline leaving one end open. Flip right-side out, stuff with Polyfil, repeat.
- Follow the same instructions for the whale tail.
- To fully assemble the whale, turn the raw edges at the end of the whale body in. Insert the whale tail into the opening and hand stitch in place. Ladder stitch is recommended for a clean look.
- Turn the raw edges of each whale fin in and hand stitch on either side of the whale. Again, ladder stitch is recommended.
- Add hand embroidery to embellish the whale with contrasting embroidery floss.
JOANN HACKS:
- While a sewing machine is not necessary to sew this plush whale, it will definitely speed up your process and make for a sturdier toy for a young child.
Rated 3 out of
5
by
OliviaStitchwell from
Cute pattern but instructions are not very detailed
Such a cute pattern but the instructions are minimal so as an advanced sewer I was able to figure it out but it took a lot longer than I’d hoped.
Date published: 2023-07-26
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Gammysoup from
Whale of a pattern!
Well marked pattern pieces and current pattern states to add a 1/4" seam allowance.
Date published: 2023-07-23
Rated 3 out of
5
by
bob27 from
ride side?
Cute whale. Please proofread.
And why not add a seam allowance?
Date published: 2021-08-21
Rated 5 out of
5
by
JRenee from
I love this!
This is listed as Intermediate Level, so that implies that you should have a little more than basic skills. And it states in the instructions to add in seam allowance. By following the instructions, it is a very nice project.
Date published: 2021-08-02
Rated 2 out of
5
by
rjsews from
There is no seam allowance included in pattern
I am pleased to report that I started and finished this project fairly quickly. However, the pattern and instructions leave something to be desired, especially considering the name/brand recognition of JoAnn Fabrics. I've gotten better, more detailed instructions from bloggers when just googling.
Be warned, if you print the available pattern---THERE IS NO SEAM ALLOWANCE INCLUDED, so you must add it yourself. Also, the whale is pretty small when finished, but was fun to make. You should have a good deal of sewing knowledge before embarking on this whale of a project. :)
Date published: 2021-06-10