Being able to create a felt animal is a great starter sewing project to do yourself or to have the kids join in and do. It’s a simple process with minimal supplies and minimal directions to follow as well. This is why this DIY Felt Dolphin with free template is one simple felt project that you should do. It’s fast, done in less than an hour, and gives you or your kids an adorable little animal that they can call their very own as well.

DIY sewing. DIY Dolphin Felt with Free Pattern

Since we’ve started making these fun felt animals, we’ve noticed an increase in the creativity and imagination time that our children have done. Not only are they super excited that they can make these felt animals on their own but they’re also eager to play with them in different make-believe sessions and games, too. And their minds are suddenly whirling about all the different types of animals that they can make as well. If you’re wanting an entire room full of felt animals, there are plenty of animals to choose from and ways to make them happen!

Supplies For Your DIY Felt Dolphin

How to Make this Felt Dolphin Plushie

Start by selecting two (2) different shades of grey and light brown felt for this craft. Trace the provided template patterns on the selected felt fabrics. Use scissors to cut out the traced patterns. The template includes two (2) body base patterns, two (2) fin patterns, and one (1) belly part (bottom) of the dolphin. I’ve traced the fins from the same colored grey felt from one of the two body bases. Trace and cut out the belly pattern from the light brown felt.

Take any one of the body base patterns and use a pen or pencil to draw an eye and the mouth for the dolphin on the front side of the pattern. After you have them draw on how you like, use black thread and needle to stitch along the traced eye and mouth lines by hand. This is the front body base.

Next, stitch the belly (bottom) part along the bottom side of the front body pattern.

Stitch one (1) fin on the front body base and stitch the fin on the other plain body base for the backside.

Now now that have all the pieces in place, it’s time to sew it all together. Place the plain body pattern on a flat surface and then place the front body base pattern on the top of the plain one. Use matching thread and needle to stitch around the side of the body bases, joining everything together. I did a flat blanket stitch around the side.

Keep a small opening to stuff the dolphin plush. You can use your leftover scrap felt to stuff it with. This keeps it nice and soft and squishy for the kids.

Finally, stitch closed the opening you left to secure the stuffing. Tie a knot or two and cut off extra thread. You’ve finished your Dolphin Plushie! So cute!

As you can see, it’s not a very hard felt animal to create and it looks quite adorable as well. This is a great project if you are just getting starting in sewing. It’s a great craft for kids to do as well! You can have a little fun with this little dolphin felt toy and lay it on a blue background to give it a fun look as though it’s in the water, too. Hopefully your kids have as much fun playing with it as they did making it!

Why is felt a good crafting fabric?

You’ll find that a lot of crafting directions use felt. This is for several reasons, but one of the biggest ones is that it’s durable and strong. It will not only hold up to being sewn easily but it will also hold up while being played with or even washed.

Some people do feel that sewing through felt is harder than sewing through fabrics like cotton, etc. And this is true, mostly because felt is just an overall thicker fabric to use. We like to use felt for these type of projects because we know it’s going to last longer. No since in making it if it is going to quickly fall apart.

Can you wash felt to clean it?

Yes, you can clean it! There is a common misconception that felt can’t be cleaned. Not true. You can actually clean it in your washing machine on the gentle cycle or wash it by hand. It’s really whatever you prefer, but you most definitely can wash it. I like to wash my kids’ toys every so often for sanitary reason and to keep them looking nice and new.

But no matter how you wash it, make certain that you let it dry naturally. Putting felt in the dryer is going to break down the fibers and cause damage. You don’t want it to come apart on you. Instead, just take your wet felt from the washing machine and let it flat to dry. This is the easiest and most effective way to wash and dry it.

If you liked learning how to make this easy felt dolphin with free pattern, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple felt project on your own, make certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!

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