Get the new Great British Sewing Bee book worth £30 when you subscribe to Simply Sewing magazine
When they finally appeared, many people thought they were unnecessary, impractical and even scandalous
Lucy Ward’s little dinosaur might have a loud roar and sharp fangs, but it’s a total softie! Sew your own with her dino plushie project.
Lots of children go through a dinosaur phase and this toy will be well-received by a little one who loves dinosaurs – it would be a brilliant gift or a great addition to a dinosaur-themed bedroom.
This cute little dinosaur sewing pattern looks great when made using soft, fleecy fabrics to make it extra snuggly. You could even make a whole family of them in different colours if your child likes their new dino friend!
The eyes are firmly attached, so it’s safe to make this toy for young children. If you choose to add soft toy eyes, make sure you choose safety eyes which are suitable for children’s toys.
We’d recommend that new sewers explore our beginner’s guides before tackling this project. Check out our sewing for beginners and how to use a sewing machine guides, or stock up on supplies with our guides to the best sewing machines for beginners and the best sewing kits for beginners.
Notes
- Download the templates
- Fabric measurements are given width first, then height.
- Cut fabric pieces with the nap and stretch running downwards.
- Use a 6mm (¼in) seam allowance throughout unless otherwise stated.
- The templates include seam allowances where necessary.
- Finished size: Approx 28cm (11in) tall.
You will need
- Fabric A: 65x50cm (26x20in) (green)
- Fabric B: 35x18cm (14x7in) (yellow)
- Fabric C: 28x18cm (11x7in) (orange)
- Fabric D: 13x7cm (5x3in) (purple)
- Fabric E: 6x7cm (21⁄2x3in) (white)
- Fabric F: 3x3cm (11⁄2x11⁄2in) (black)
- Black and white stranded cotton
- Polyester toy stuffing
- Matching thread
- Basic sewing kit
Free dinosaur sewing pattern
Cutting out
Download and cut out the templates.
Place the pattern pieces onto the reverse side of the fabrics and draw around them, turning the templates over to cut pairs. Cut out and transfer the markings indicated on the pattern pieces.
- From Fabric A, cut out as follows:
- Body: one pair using the template.
- Base: one using the template.
- Head gusset: one using the template.
- Arms: two pairs using the template.
- Legs: two pairs using the template.
- From Fabric B, cut:
- Belly: one using the template.
- From Fabric C, cut:
- Spines: one pair using the template.
- From Fabric D, cut:
- Large spots: six using the template.
- Small spots: eight using the template.
- From Fabric E, cut:
- Eye: two using the template.
- Fangs: two using the template.
- From Fabric F, cut:
- Pupil: two using the template.
Making the hands and legs
Step 1
With right sides (RS) together, pin and sew the arms and legs, leaving the short ends open. Clip notches inside the deep V within each hand, then turn RS out. Stuff firmly, leaving a good 1cm (3⁄8in) unstuffed at the ends of each limb so they can later be sewn more easily into the seams of the body. Tack each one closed.
Inserting the head gusset
Step 2
Placing the RS together, pin the head gusset onto the body piece, between points A and B along the top.
Step 3
Tack and then sew in place. Repeat on the other side to form the three-dimensional head shape.
Making the spines
Step 4
Pin the spine pieces RS together and sew, leaving the long side open for turning. Clip notches at the bases of the triangles so the spines do not pucker when turned RS out. Turn RS out, pushing each of the spines out using a small stick.
Step 5
Place the spine lengthways onto one side of the dinosaur body, with the spines facing in. Pin into place between points B and F, matching up the edges of the fabrics. As the fabrics have slight opposing curves, start pinning the spines at each end first and bend and shape the fabric edges until they lie flat together. Roughly oversew all edges to keep it in place.
Making the belly
Step 6
Pin the belly piece onto the front of a body piece, RS together, from point C to point D. Again, there are opposing curves here, so start with the belly piece pinned at each end, then bend and shape the fabric edges until they lie nice and flat together. Tack first, then sew. Repeat on the other side.
Step 7
With the dinosaur lying flat, sew up the short remaining seam between the top of the belly at point C and the front of the head gusset, at point A.
Inserting the hands
Step 8
Cut slits where marked in the body.
Step 9
Insert the hands from the wrong side (WS) through to the RS, with the thumb facing upwards. Pin and tack into place before sewing. Sew over two or three times to ensure your seam is strong and the hands securely fixed.
Making the base
Step 10
With RS together, pin the base piece to the main body, using the centre mark of the base to guide the position and with the point of the base ending at point E on the main body. Sandwich the legs into the base where marked on the template, facing inwards. Tack and turn RS out to check the positioning, especially of the legs. Turn back to the WS and sew. Remember to leave a turning gap.
Step 11
Sew over the leg seams two or three times to make sure they are extra strong.
Sewing up the body
Step 12
Sew from the top at point B, so the seam meets the back of the head gusset, down to point E, to meet the base seam.
Step 13
Trim all the seams and clip notches in any curves. Take care not to snip into the seams themselves. Turn the dinosaur RS out and stuff, using small amounts of stuffing at a time for a smooth and even shape. Keep stuffing until the dinosaur is really firm. Finally, ladder stitch the opening closed.
Forming the toes
Step 14
Using a matching thread, form toes using long straight stitches. Start in the seam of the foot and make stitches about 2cm (¾in) long onto the top. Then loop back under and through the seam before the next stitch is made. Use an extra strong thread that will stand up to being pulled hard, or use double thread.
Step 15
Fasten off with small back stitches, then push the needle and thread through to the other side of the leg before snipping. Repeat for the other leg.
Sewing the spots
Step 16
Pin each spot onto the back of the dinosaur. Position them along the dinosaur’s back using the photographs as a guide.
Step 17
Use a matching thread and appliqué them onto the body with small overstitches.
Making the eyes
Step 18
Use three strands of white stranded cotton thread to stitch little highlights onto the pupil of the eye. Use small satin stitches or French knots.
Step 19
Pin the pupil onto the white eye, and hand-sew using tiny overstitches.
Step 20
Pin the eyes into position on each side of the toy’s head, using the images as a guide. Check that the eyes are properly lined up with one another, from both the front and top views, before sewing onto the body using small overstitches in white thread.
Making the mouth and nose
Step 21
Step one Draw the mouth shape onto the face using an erasable fabric marker. Pin the two fangs either side of the head, just below the mouth line. Sew the fangs in place using small, neat overstitches.
Step 22
Use the black stranded cotton to sew the mouth using back stitch. Fasten off with a few hidden stitches before taking the needle and thread away to the opposite side of the head and snipping off.
Step 23
Mark the position of the nose above the mouth with pins on each side of the head. Make sure the nose and mouth are level with each other.
Step 24
Sew them using small satin stitches or French knots in black stranded cotton.
Terrific toys to sew
We hope you enjoyed making our free dinosaur sewing pattern. if you’re on the lookout for your next must-make project, you’re going to love our free teddy bear sewing pattern.
Read more
- How to make owl softies – free owl sewing pattern
- Sew a spooky bat plush pattern for Halloween!
- Free Jumper Dress Sewing Pattern
- 20 toy sewing patterns for babies and children
