Flat Bunny Rabbit sewing tutorial (with free templates)
If you’ve enjoyed making my flat teddy and other flat toys, you’re going to love this new addition to my collection: a cute, quick, and easy flat bunny rabbit sewing pattern:
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This little bunny is perfect for anyone looking to create a sweet handmade toy without spending hours on complicated sewing projects. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned stitcher, this pattern is designed to be simple, fun, and satisfying to sew.
With Easter just around the corner, this flat bunny makes a delightful seasonal gift or decoration. But don’t let that limit you, this soft, cuddly friend is perfect all year round!
Its flat design makes it especially great for babies, as it’s lightweight, easy to hold, and safe to snuggle. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to add a personal touch to your nursery or baby shower gifts. I’m excited for you to try this pattern and bring a little handmade joy into your home!
It can be sewn from a fat quarter of just about any cuddly fabric – fleece, fur, flannel or quilting cotton. I love sewing it up in a soft an snuggly minky.
I prefer to embroider the face with a similar floss color to the fabric, for a subtle and sweet style (and to hide my less than perfect embroidery skills!). You could go for more contrast if you prefer (or even add your own machine embroidery).
The finished size of the bunny rabbit toy is approximately 14 inches (36cm) tall (including the ears).
So gather your supplies, download the free pattern pieces and follow the tutorial here:
Supplies
The first thing you’ll need is your free Flat Bunny Rabbit pattern template. You can get your free copy here:
Want an ad-free printable PDF version of the Flat Bunny Rabbit sewing pattern, including step-by-step photos? Head to Etsy or the Threadistry store to purchase a copy at a low price.
- Fat quarter of fabric (I’ve used minky, but fleece, fur, flannel or quilting cotton would also work)
- Small piece of pink fabric for inner ear (optional)
- Fiber fill (or your preferred stuffing material)
- Small amount of embroidery floss
- General sewing supplies (sewing machine, scissors, pins, thread, fabric marker etc)
Instructions
Watch the video or scroll down for the photo tutorial:
Step 1: Cut out pattern pieces. You’ll need:
- 2 body pieces
- 2 ear pieces in outer color (1 set mirrored)
- 2 ear pieces in inner color (1 set mirrored)
- 4 arm pieces (2 sets mirrored)
- 4 leg pieces (2 sets mirrored)
- 1 tail
Step 2: Transfer face markings and markings for the ears, arms and legs placement to the right side of one body piece.
Step 3: Embroider the face using 6 strands of embroidery floss.
Step 4: With right sides together, sew around the outside of the arm and leg pieces (with a 1/4 inch (6mm) seam allowance). Leave the side that attaches to the body open (the side that curves in).
Step 5: Depending on your fabric, trim or notch the curves. I find this isn’t necessary with minky. Turn arm and leg pieces right sides out and press.
Step 6: Pin the arms and leg pieces onto the right side of the embroidered body piece, as per the pattern markings. You will need to manipulate the small pieces to line up the inside and outside curve. I recommend using at least 3 pins to get everything lined up.
Step 7: Stitch into place with a basting stitch (by hand or on the sewing machine) just less than 1/4 inch/6mm from the edge.
Step 8: Place 1 ear outer and 1 ear inner right sides together. Sew around the outside of the ear pieces (with a 1/4 inch/6mm seam allowance). Leave the side that attaches to the body open. Repeat for other ear.
Step 9: Clip the top point and the curves (depending on your fabric).
Step 10: Turn the ears right sides out and press:
Step 11: Fold the edges of the ears to meet in the middle and sew a basting stitch to hold them in place:
Step 12: Pin the ears pieces onto the right side of the embroidered body piece, as per the pattern markings. You will need to manipulate the small pieces to line up the inside and outside curve. I recommend using at least 3 pins to get everything lined up.
Step 13: Stitch into place with a basting stitch (by hand or on the sewing machine) just less than 1/4 inch/6mm from the edge.
Step 14: Pin the front and back body pieces right sides together, making sure to tuck in the arms, legs and ears. I recommend using LOTS of pins, especially where the arms, legs and ears pull the edge of the fabric inwards.
Tip: Place to pins in an X pattern where you want to stop sewing to make sure you leave a gap for turning the bunny.
Step 15: Sew around the body with a 1/4 inch (6mm) seam allowance, leaving a gap between an arm and a leg for turning.
Step 16: Snip the seam allowance where the head and body meet. Trim the seam allowance and/or clip the curves.
Step 17: Turn the bunny rabbit right sides out through the gap. You may want to run a turning tool, chopstick or just your finger along the seams to get a smooth seam, and press.
Step 18: Stuff the bunny with your preferred amount of polyfill. I recommend the snuggle test to get it just right: give it a quick cuddle to see how it feels. When it feels right, add just a little bit more to allow for the stuffing compressing over time.
Step 19: Hand-stitch the gap between the legs closed with a ladder stitch.
Step 20: Sew a gathering stitch all the way around the tail piece with a 1/4 inch (6mm) seam allowance, leaving a long thread tail at the start and end.
Step 21: Pull the bobbin threads of the gathering stitch to form a pompom/ball.
Step 22: Fill with a small amount of polyfill
Step 23: Hand stitch to the back of the bunny
And your Flat Bunny Rabbit is ready for snuggling!
Find more cute, quick and easy sewing tutorials here.