Sew a narwhal softie with this beginning hand-sewing project for kids or, anyone learning how to sew. Hand sewing projects like this narwhal whale softie also make a great gift idea for kids! (First published August 1, 2019; this post is regularly updated and republished to improve the content.)
Whether you’re a seasoned seamstress or a complete beginner, this narwhal sewing project is the perfect blend of creativity and simplicity, designed to unleash your imagination and produce a cuddly narwhal companion in the form of a plush toy for kids. Imagine the joy of holding a charming narwhal in your hands, with its whimsical spiral tusk and enchanting underwater vibes. If you are working with children that have never sewn before, you might want to help them learn to sew with burlap and yarn first.
This step-by-step guide will take you on a journey from selecting the perfect fabrics to stitching up every fin-tastic detail. Even if you’ve never threaded a needle before, fear not! We’ve got you covered with clear instructions and handy tips, ensuring that your narwhal creation is a sea-worthy masterpiece. You might also enjoy sewing a pocket pet mouse, or a pair of lovebirds.
Sewing isn’t just about creating something tangible; it’s about nurturing your artistic spirit and experiencing the satisfaction of turning simple materials into a work of art. As you stitch and stuff your narwhale softie, you’ll find yourself lost in the meditative rhythm of the sewing process, connecting with generations of crafters who’ve found solace and joy in the art of making.
Plus, the finished narwhal softie isn’t just a soft plush toy – it’s a testament to your creativity and dedication. So, gather your fabrics, thread your needle, and get ready to embark on a sewing journey that’s as magical as the ocean’s depths. Whether you’re crafting this narwhal for yourself, a loved one, or as a gift, the joy it brings will be as boundless as the sea. Let’s dive in and sew some enchantment! You might also enjoy these under the sea art projects and painting ideas.
How to Sew a Narwhal Softie
Have you ever wished to bring the magic of the ocean into the cozy corners of your home? If so, it’s time to embark on a delightful sewing adventure and craft your very own narwhal softie or plush toy.
Join the Sew a Softie initiative with this fun and easy narwhal softie sewing project for kids and beginners of all ages. Sew a Softie began in July 2016 to help parents and teachers with simple techniques, materials, and patterns they could use for sewing projects with their children and students.
Share your love of sewing with your child, learn to sew with your child, or have your child act as an ambassador to other children learning to sew with “Sew a Softie” this year! Learn more about Sew a Softie Here!
This will be our third year participating in the Sew a Softie initiative. The first year my daughter and I participated, we sewed a pocket pet mouse, and the second year, we sewed these cute little plush lovebirds. Click on the links to see the tutorials!
This year, my daughter wanted to sew a narwhal whale softie, so we made a simple sewing pattern, and now you can sew one too!
My daughter loves narwhal whales, the unicorns of the sea. She fell in love with them as we read the “Emily Windsnap Book Series” together. She became enamored with narwhals when I read the fifth book in the series aloud to her.
In it, we learned that narwals are rare magical creatures with special powers. We don’t know if the last part is true, but we like to believe it is! Life is better with the power of belief and a little magic–don’t you think?
Narwhal Sewing Supplies
- Acrylic felt, wool blend felt, 100% wool felt, or cotton fabric of choice.
- Narwal Sewing Pattern
- Fabric pen with disappearing ink
- Craft scissors and small sewing scissors
- Sewing pins
- Large eye hand sewing needles
- Cotton embroidery floss or a high-quality 50-weight cotton thread
- Gold or silver embroidery floss
- Cotton stuffing or wool filler
More of our favorite sewing supplies can be found HERE!
Related: Lovebirds Sewing Project with Pattern
Narwhal Sewing Project Step-by-Step Directions
Join the “Sew a Softie” initiative by sewing this narwhal plush toy with your children. (If your child has never tried sewing before, we recommend starting with sewing with burlap and yarn or fall leaf lacing.) Read through the step-by-step instructions to sew a narwhale softie before starting this beginning sewing project so you know the steps involved and what to expect.
1. Download and print the narwhal pattern, or draw your own narwhal whale sewing pattern.
- Draw your own whale body and fin, or download and print the narwhal plush toy sewing pattern hand-drawn by Nell Regan Kartychok (founder of Rhythms of Play) onto cardstock.
2. Cut out the narwhal and fin to create the sewing template.
- Use a pair of craft scissors to cut the whale body and fin out of the cardstock to create the narwhal sewing pattern or template. (Don’t use sewing scissors to cut paper because it can cause them to dull.)
- Sewing Tip: We like to put our templates in a hanging file folder and put them in our filing cabinet under “sewing patterns’ so we can reuse them repeatedly.
- Notice how we used the heart shaped-wing from our lovebird sewing project to make the fin for the narwhal. As we designed the narwhal sewing pattern, we found the heart wing and thought it looked just as lovely as a whale fin, so we traced it for our narwhal softie. It’s not exactly realistic, but it sure is cute!
3. Trace the narwhal whale and heart fin patterns onto a sheet of felt and cut.
- Choose felt or cotton fabric in complementing or contrasting colors for the fin and body of the whale.
- Use a pen with disappearing ink to trace the narwhal template onto the fabric.
- Next, cut the whale and heart-shaped fin out of the fabric.
- Note: Cut the narwal out of the felt before the disappearing ink disappears. (This is NOT a step you can set aside to complete later because the ink will disappear.)
4. Sew a heart-shaped fin onto each narwhal half.
- Thread a large-eye hand-sewing needle with cotton embroidery thread or a high-quality 50-weight cotton thread.
- Use a running stitch as shown or a whip stitch to hand sew each heart-shaped fin onto each half of the felt narwhal.
5. Hand-Sew an eye onto each side of the whale softie.
- There are several ways to hand-sew an eye onto a softie. Use your favorite method or any of the ideas listed below:
- Sew on a small button to use for an eye.
- Hand sew a circular eye with satin stitch
- Sew a half-closed eye, as shown in the photographs and described below.
- First, we used a disappearing ink pen to draw simple half-closed eyes. Next, we threaded a needle with embroidery floss to sew the eyes of our narwhal softies.
- If you want to try this method, draw a wide “U” shape between the tusk and the heart-shaped fin and place a few marks along it to create the look of lashes, as shown in the photo tutorial below.
- Next, sew over the simple lines created for each eye using a running stitch. But instead of sewing the running stitch in a straight line, turn each stitch as you sew to match the pattern of the eye.
6. Pin the two halves of the narwhal together.
- Use sewing pins to secure the two fabric halves of the narwhal whale together.
7. Use a satin stitch to sew the spiraling narwhal tusk.
- We used metallic gold embroidery floss to sew each narwhal tusk, but a complementary or contrasting color would also look nice.
- Start sewing a satin stitch at the base of the narwhal tusk. (Hide your knot inside the softie, as shown in the photo tutorial below, or use an anchor stitch to begin.)
- Ensure your stitches are showing up on both sides to fill the front and back of the narwhal tusk.
- Hand-sew each stitch as close as possible to the last until you reach the tip of the narwhal tusk.
- Once you reach the tip, add satin stitches back down to the base of the tusk (on both sides) to fill in the gaps and give the narwhal tusk the appearance of spiraling.
8. Sew the two halves of the narwhal softie together adding stuffing inside as you go.
- Start with an anchor stitch or by tying a small knot on the inside of the narwhal.
- Next, use a running stitch, whip stitch, or blanket stitch to hand sew the two sides of the narwhal plush toy together.
- Begin sewing the narwhal softie together on the bottom of the tip of the tail, as shown in the photo tutorial below. This will make it possible to fill the narwal’s body and tail without much trouble.
- Stop a few points to fill the narwhal softie, as shown in the photo tutorial below. In other words, don’t forget to fill this plush narwhal toy with wool stuffing or cotton batting before you sew it up completely.
Narwhal Plush Toy Step by Step Photo Tutorial
The photo tutorial below shows each step of this DIY narwhal sewing project.
Congratulations, dear crafter, on completing your narwhal softie journey! With every stitch, you’ve woven a tale of creativity and imagination, transforming simple materials into a charming narwhal plush toy bound to captivate the hearts of young and old alike.
Holding your finished narwhal in your hands, take a moment to appreciate the effort and love you’ve poured into this project. From the careful selection of fabrics to the intricate sewing of every fin and the joyful stuffing that brought your creation to life, you’ve embarked on a sewing adventure that’s as rewarding as it is enchanting.
Remember, this narwhal softie isn’t just a cuddly companion; it’s a testament to your artistic spirit and determination. Whether it finds its place on a child’s bed, a shelf adorned with other handcrafted treasures, or gifted to a loved one, your narwhal carries a piece of your creativity and the joy you’ve invested in its making.
Narwhal Softie Beginning Sewing Project with Pattern
Sewing is more than just a hobby for kids and adults; it’s a gateway to self-expression, a means of relaxation, and a canvas for your imagination to flourish. With every stitch, you’ve added to your repertoire of skills, setting the stage for more sewing adventures in the future. And who knows? This narwhal might be the beginning of a collection of handmade delights.
So, as you gaze upon your narwhal softie, let it be a reminder that the journey matters just as much as the destination. The memories of the hours spent sewing, the excitement of seeing your creation take shape, and the sense of accomplishment as you tied the final knot are the treasures that will forever be woven into your narwhal’s threads.
Thank you for joining us on this wonderful journey of stitching and crafting. May your narwhal bring smiles, comfort, and a touch of enchantment to your world, reminding you that with a needle, thread, and a dash of creativity, you can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. Happy crafting, and may your artistic endeavors continue to flourish like the magical creatures of the deep sea!
Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!
If You Liked This Sewing Project for Kids, You May Also Like
- How to Teach Kids to Sew Running Stitch
- Pocket Pet Mouse
- How to Sew a Button Apple Tree
- Lovebirds Sewing Project
- Heart-Shaped Sewing Projects
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