It’s Sew a Softie month, and I’m excited to join over two dozen bloggers posting free, easy-to-sew softie tutorials this month! The Sew a Softie event was created by Trixi Symonds of Coloured Buttons in 2016 as an initiative to encourage those with little to no sewing experience to attempt a fun and simple sewing project! July may be coming to a close, but the fun is nowhere near over! Today, I’m sharing a tutorial for one of my favorite animals—the otter! And tomorrow, Stephanie of Swoodson Says will be posting the last tutorial of July!
Squeakers the Otter comes in two sizes and can be sewn by hand or on the machine. Both are made using the same steps with a few minor exceptions, which are explained below in the tutorial. I made both a 60-second preview and a full length 90-minute video tutorial. In the full length video tutorial, I show each step for sewing the tiny otter, either by hand or on the machine.
To make a full-size otter you’ll need:
Links with an asterisk (*) are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of them, I get a small percentage of the sale with no extra cost to you.
If you sew your otter with natural fleece, I recommend using a 90/14 ball point needle; and if you sew with organic cotton thread, I recommend making your final stitch a stretch stitch (a stretch stitch is fairly permanent, so baste first when needed).
Get access to the free pattern, as well as access to all my other free patterns, by clicking the button below.
Print pattern at 100%. (See a tutorial on printing and assembling patterns here.)
The images below show how to sew the full-size version of the otter, and the video tutorial above shows how to sew the tiny otter. The tiny otter is made using the same instructions as the large otter with a few exceptions:
The ears are the most difficult part of the tutorial. If you find that they are too tedious to sew, you can cut the ears out of felt instead, or you can leave them out all together. Remember that sewing soft toys should be fun! Feel free to modify your otter to make it easier, and don’t stress over making it perfect. If your ears are a little wonky, or the nose is crooked, it just adds character!
For the whiskers, you can use all-purpose or upholstery thread, or you can use a single strand of embroidery floss. There are a number of ways to attach whiskers, but this is the method that works best for me:
If you’d like to try sewing an otter with organic fabric, I have fabric kits available with just the right amount of hand-dyed organic fabric to complete the project.
Veronica Stienburg made this little guy with polyester fleece!I’d love to see your otters! Post your photos in my Fluffmonger Patterns group on Facebook, and don’t forget to use #sewasoftie!
Check out the other 2018 Sew a Softie tutorials below!
This pattern may be used to create handmade toys to sell, but items may not be mass-produced. Please give credit to Fluffmonger with “pattern by Fluffmonger” and a link to my website, www.fluffmonger.com on your tags and listings.
If you modify the pattern or use certain pieces to create another pattern, still credit Fluffmonger, as these are considered derivative works.
This design is protected by federal copyright law (© 2018) and may not be reproduced in any form. Reproduction of this design, either in part or whole, or distribution of this pattern electronically or by hard copy is strictly prohibited.
Otters are my FAVORITE! I want this pattern so much, but even though I signed up, I still can’t access it! Please help me!!!!
Hi,Debra! Thank you so much! The password should have been sent to you in an email newsletter. Be sure to check your spam and any promotions folders. There will be a link to the “free pattern library” in the email, and you’ll just enter the password that is listed below that link after you click the link. Be sure to type the password in all capital letters. Let me know if you can’t find the email.
Muchas gracias!!! Por compartir algunos patrones y me encanto los materiales que vendes tengo muchos sobrinos pequeños y quería preguntar si son son hipoalergénicos ya que en la familia padecemos de muchas alergias
Estoy usando Google translate, por lo que me disculpo si algo de esto no tiene sentido. El vellón y el hilo en mi tienda Etsy son orgánicos, lo que significa que las fibras de las plantas se cultivan sin el uso de pesticidas utilizados para la agricultura convencional, y se tiñen con colorantes GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard). Sin embargo, es posible que las personas tengan alergias al algodón. Si sus sobrinos tienen alergias al algodón, es posible que desee averiguar si también tienen problemas con el algodón orgánico antes de comprar un kit.
can’t find the password. Like the otter pattern.
Thanks! Did you check our spam folders? It may also be in your “updates” or “promotions” folder.
I loved your blog. I’m from Brazil and I love to sew even though I have little time. I love making toys and dolls. Thank you so much for your shares.
Thank you so much, Fabiola!