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Sew a manatee toy

I made this photo tutorial so you can see how to sew my Manatee Sewing Pattern ~> scroll down for step-by-step photos!

Monty is a is a quick and easy sewing pattern which will look great in all sorts of colours, not just manatee-grey!

MANATEE pattern

Look how cute a mantee looks in
COW-PRINT fabric!!!

Manatee-feedback-collage.web

 

*** 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 Manatee Sewing Pattern can SEE how to sew a manatee toy! (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 Monty Manatee Sewing Pattern.)

We start sewing his BACK:

STEP 1

Sew the BACK PIECES together from A – B, matching the cross pattern marking.

Manatee-016line

STEP 2

Fold the BACK PIECES with the fabric right sides together and sew the front darts closed.

Manatee-020

SNOUT & LIP:

STEP 3

Sew the SNOUT PIECE to the BACK PIECES from C – A – C.

Manatee-022

STEP 4

Fold the SNOUT PIECE with the fabric right sides together and sew the snout darts and front dart closed. (There are 3 darts altogether!).

Manatee-025

STEP 5

Sew the LIP PIECES together from D – K.

Manatee-027

STEP 6a

Pin the LIP PIECES to the SNOUT PIECE.

Manatee-032

 

STEP 6b

Sew the LIP PIECES to the SNOUT PIECE from C – D – C. Do NOT sew all the way to the edge of the LIP PIECES – stop at point C. (See the black dots in the photo below).

Manatee-034-LIP

EYES:

STEP 7

If you are using craft eyes insert them now.

Manatee-088

TIP: I have a tutorial to show you how to insert craft eyes on my blog.

craft-eyes-tutorial-How-to-insert

TUMMY:

STEP 8

Sew the TUMMY PIECES together from H – L, matching the 2 crosses of the pattern markings. Remember to leave the gap open for turning and stuffing!

Manatee-038

CHIN:

STEP 9

Fold the CHIN PIECE, fabric right sides together, and sew the chin dart closed.

Manatee-042

STEP 10

Sew the CHIN PIECE to the TUMMY PIECES from C – H – C, matching the 3 dots of the pattern markings.

Manatee-046

FLIPPERS:

STEP 11

Sew the FLIPPER PIECES together in pairs (one main and one contrast piece).

Manatee-062

STEP 12

Trim the seam allowance to 3mm (⅛ inch) and turn the FLIPPERS right sides out.

Manatee-064

TIP: I like to use a wooden chopstick to help turn the seams. Run the end of the stick back and forth along the stitching inside until the seam is nice and smooth.

IMG_0002

STEP 13

DON’T STUFF the FLIPPERS NOW! First pin the FLIPPERS around the curved outside edge so that the seam lies flat.

Manatee-066

STEP 14

Stitch around the curved edge, using a 5mm (¼inch) seam allowance, to create a flat seam around the FLIPPERS.

Manatee-067

STEP 15

Stuff the FLIPPERS with toy-stuffing leaving the top 12mm(½inch) unstuffed and pin them closed along the straight edge to hold the stuffing in place.

(Don’t overstuff them, keep them flat!).

Manatee-069

STEP 16

Pin the FLIPPERS to the BACK PIECES, matching the dot pattern markings.

IMG_0013letters2

SEW THE SIDES TOGETHER:

STEP 17

Pin the LIP, SNOUT & BACK PIECES to the CHIN & TUMMY PIECES. Sew the Manatee together along the sides from E – C – K – C – E.

Manatee-077

TIP: This is a hard seam to sew so take your time and use LOTS of pins so the pieces don’t slip as you sew.

TAIL:

STEP 18

Pin the TAIL PIECES, with right sides facing, on a rectangle of batting. Sew the TAIL PIECES together leaving the straight edge open for turning.

Manatee120 (1)

STEP 19

Cut the TAIL PIECES out with a 3mm (⅛ inch) seam allowance.

Manatee120 (2)

STEP 20

Turn the TAIL PIECES right sides out and use a chopstick to turn the seam smoothly.

*** Do not stuff the tail!***

Manatee120 (3)

STEP 21

Push the TAIL ‘inside’ the BACK AND TUMMY PIECES and pin it position, matching E on the sides and B/L at the centre.

Insert tail (1)

TIP: Roll the edges of the TAIL to the centre so it will fit in more easily!

Insert tail (2)

STEP 22a

Sew the TAIL in place from E – B/L – E.

Insert tail (3)

STEP 22b

Secure the tail in place with zig-zag stitch.

Insert tail (4)

ASSEMBLY:

STEP 23

Turn your Manatee right sides out. I find it’s easier if I pull the FLIPPERS out first!

Manatee111

STEP 24

Pin the TAIL PIECES so that the edges are flat.

Manatee120 (5)

STEP 25

Sew a line of stitching around the edge of the TAIL PIECES using a 5mm (¼inch) seam allowance to create a flat seam around the edge of the TAIL. This is the same way you did the flippers, BUT I have drawn this in on the TAIL PIECE pattern markings to show you where to start and end the stitching line.

Manatee-085

TIP: If you are using a thick fabric like fleece, this can be a difficult seam for a beginner to sew on a sewing machine. I recommend sewing this seam by hand (with a tight backstitch).

STEP 26

Fill the snout area very firmly, then fill the head area and the rest of the body with toy-stuffing.

Manatee-089

STEP 27

If you are embroidering the eyes, do them now. Embroider a French knot for each nostril in black thread.

Manatee-106

TIP: Craft eyes are not safe for children under the age of 3 years old. Check out my toy safety blog post for more toy safety tips and guidelines here ~ https://manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com/blog/toy-safety-tips-for-home-made-toys/

Toy safety tips

STEP 28

Use a ladder stitch to close the opening on the TUMMY PIECES.

How to do a ladder stitch - Pauline McArthur

Your Manatee is ready to LOVE!

Come join the fun on Facebook!

Facebook badge - Pauline McArthur

I LOVE to see how your Funky Friends toys turn out!

When you’ve made your own stuffed toy manatee you can come show it off ~>

Post a photo on my Funky Friends Factory Facebook page for me to see and YOU could win a FREE PATTERN!


Pauline McArthur

Till next time,

Happy Sewing,

Pauline

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