Get the pattern here. See the video here.
Print the pattern:
Print the pattern actual size- for instructions to do this, see these instructions. To adjust the size of the pattern, see these instructions. Enlarging the pattern will result in pieces that will no longer fit on one page, and is not recommended. Attach the pattern pieces at shaded areas as indicated. Hash lines will mostly match.
Required Materials:
Plan to use about 1/2 yard of fabric for a pattern printed to actual size. For this tutorial, the green fabric I used was the cover of a throw pillow and the belly and soles were cut from scrap fabric.
You will need a small amount of stuffing. For this tutorial, I used the stuffing from the throw pillow which also supplied the fabric for the outside.
If you would like to add features, you may want a couple of buttons (for eyes), or plastic eye posts. If you are an experienced sewist, you may opt to add some felt teeth as well. Simply cut to desired aesthetic and insert to mouth area when sewing the mouth area. Instructions to do this are not included to keep things simple.
You will need a long hand-sewing needle to attach the arms and legs, as well as some strong thread.
Sew the arms and legs:
The depth of the seam allowance you use, is up to you. I used between 1/4″ and 3/8″, but to be honest, it doesn’t really matter unless you are a stickler for instructions or sizing. This project is supposed to be fun! So use whatever seam allowance is most comfortable to you.
Clip the angles and slash the curves for a better shape when the piece is turned right side out. Be careful not to cut the stitching! If you accidentally clip the seam, just reinsert to the machine and sew over it it reinforce. NBD.
Make a small cut in the portion of the arm with the black dot and turn right side out. Press flat. Make sure you are cutting the arms on opposite sides so you have a left and right. In the video, I did not double check and had to arms for the same side. Gah! Don’t do that. đŸ™‚ Stuff to your desired thickness.
Sew around the outside of the legs, leaving the feet open.
Fold the sole in half and finger press the toe area. The toe area is wider than the heel area, for reference.
Line up the finger pressed fold with the seam at the toe and sew the sole into place.
Snip the angles and slash the curves so it will turn out nicely. Cut a slit in the top of the leg and turn it right side out. Press flat. Stuff to your desired aesthetic. A small amount of sand can be used in the feet to weight it, if desired.
Sewing the body:
Sew the back of the T-Rex from mouth to tip of tail.
Fold the belly in half at the neck and finger press a crease. The neck area is the wider area of the belly.
Match the finger pressed crease with the center seam of the face. You will sew one side from face to tail and take it out of them machine. The belly area is slightly smaller than the side piece – it is intentional. Sew the other side from face to tail, closing the open area at the tip of the tail.
You may leave a small section open for turning, or open the seam once it is sewn. I find the latter to be easier, as the seam may pucker or become misplaced if an opening is intentionally place while sewing.
If you did not leave an opening to turn, use a razor blade, or a seam ripper, to create a small opening and turn the body right side out. Stuff to your desired thickness and sew the opening closed.
Using a needle and thread, sew the openings of the arms and legs. It doesn’t have to be perfect, as this area will be against the body of the T-Rex, and will not show on the final product.
Hold the arms up to the body and decide where you would like them to be placed. I have not designated an area on the pattern because placement is a personal choice. Bring the needle from the wrong side to the right side of the first arm. With the thread coming out of the right side of the arm, place the arm on the body and bring the needle through the arm, and the body, to the other side. attach the opposite arm in the same way and bring the needle through all three pieces several times with heavy thread to place. Knot the thread several times and clip the thread close to the arm.
Repeat this process with the legs.
Rawr! Happy Sewing.
The Home Ec Lady 