Flat Puppy plush sewing tutorial (with free pattern templates!)

Here’s the latest addition to my flat plush toy series: Flat Puppy (following the wake of Flat Teddy and Flat Dino)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase after clicking these links, Threadistry may receive a small commission, at no cost to you.

Just like my other plush sewing patterns, this sweet little dog is lightly stuffed and a mostly 2-dimensional design. I have included instructions for stuffing the front legs separately to give a slight 3D effect, but this is optional.

The tail is attached at the bottom, for a fun waggily design, but is tacked into place at the side seam (as dangling tails can sometimes look a little inappropriate).

I also tacked the ears into place as the minky I used doesn’t hold a fold line well.

It’s a simple design, lightly stuffed for just the right amount of cuddliness (and easy for little hands to carry around). The finished size is approximately 7 inches (18cm) wide and 8.5 inches (21.5cm) tall (but feel free to enlarge or shrink the pattern if you want a different size!)

Not the perfect puppy dog sewing pattern for you? Find more stuffed dog sewing patterns here.

Supplies

The first thing you’ll need is your free Flat Puppy pattern template. You can get your free copy here:

Want an ad-free printable PDF version of the Flat Puppy sewing pattern, including step-by-step photos? Head to the Threadistry store or Etsy to purchase a copy at a low price.

• 10 inches (25cm) of fabric (or a fat quarter). Suggested fabrics (knit or woven): minky, fleece, faux fur, flannel, quilting cotton
• 7x5inch (19x12cm) piece of plain lightweight fabric, eg poplin
• Fiberfill (or your preferred stuffing material)
• Embroidery floss
• General sewing supplies (sewing machine, scissors, pins, thread etc)

Cutting List

Cut out the following pattern pieces:

• 2x Body (mirrored) from main fabric
• 2x Tail (mirrored) from main fabric
• 4x Ears (2 mirrored sets) from main fabric
• 1x Inner Piece from plain lightweight fabric

Note: If your fabric has nap or is a directional print, ensure that it runs in the same direction for all pattern pieces. The grainline arrow shows the direction of the nap.

Instructions

Watch the video or scroll down for the photo tutorial:

https://youtu.be/Kp7KBNfr8Wk

Step 1: Transfer all pattern markings to the pattern pieces. Face, leg and paw markings only need to be transferred to one body piece.

Note: I like to use a large pin to poke holes in the pattern and use a washable marker to mark the pieces.

Step 2 (Optional): Align the Inner Piece with the lower part of the Body (the piece with the face/leg/paw markings). Sew with a 1/4” (6mm) seam allowance, using a basting stitch.

Note: The Inner Piece is used to create a 3D effect for the front paws. For a simpler version, skip to Step 4.

Step 3 (Optional): Using your sewing machine, sew along the inner and outer leg lines on the front body piece. Do NOT sew the small toe markings.

Note: Backstitch or use a locking stitch and the start and end of each seam.

Step 4: Using the full 6 strands of embroidery floss, embroider the face. Also embroider along the outer sections of the front legs (which were machine stitched if using the 3D leg effect).

Step 5: Optional: If sewing the 3D leg effect option, lightly stuff the front legs only between the inner piece and the front body piece.

Use a chopstick, knitting needle or similar to get the stuffing in place.

Step 6: Using the full 6 strands of embroidery floss, embroider the toes.

Step 7: With right sides together, sew the outer edge of the tail pieces, leaving the side that connects to the body open.

Seam allowance is 1/4 inch (6mm).

Step 8: With right sides together, sew the outer edge of the ear pieces, leaving the side that connects to the head open.

Seam allowance is 1/4 inch (6mm).

Step 9: Trim and/or clip the curves and turn the ears and tail right sides out.

Step 10: Stuff the end 3 inches (7.5cm) of the tail piece firmly and lightly stuff the remaining section.

Step 11: Using the A and B markings on the pattern pieces, pin the ears into place with right sides together, aligning the fabric edges.

Note: You will need to manipulate the pieces to line up the inside and outside curves. Use at least 3 or 4 pins to hold it in place.

Step 12: Stitch ears in place with a basting stitch (by machine or hand).

Step 13: Using the C and D markings on the pattern pieces, pin the tail into place with right sides together, aligning the fabric edges. Stitch tail in place with a basting stitch (by machine or hand).

Step 14: Pin the tail and ears to the centre of the body.

Pin the front and back body pieces right sides together, making sure the ears and tail are tucked in. I recommend using LOTS of pins, especially where the ears pull the edge of the fabric inwards.

Step 15: Sew around the body with a 1/4 inch/6mm seam allowance, leaving a 1-1.5 inch (25-35mm) gap on one side for turning.

Step 16: Snip the seam allowance where the head and body meet, taking care not to clip the stitches. Trim the seam allowance and/or clip the curves.

Turn the flat puppy right sides out through the gap in the side.

Step 17: Stuff the puppy with your preferred amount of fiberfill. 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 18: Hand-stitch the gap on the side closed with a ladder stitch.

Step 19: Optional: Fold the ears over and place a few hand-stitches on the back to hold in place.

Sew a few hand stitches at the side seam at the top and bottom of the tail to keep it in position.

Step 20: Optional: Fold the ears over and place a few hand-stitches on the back to hold in place.

Sew a few hand stitches at the side seam at the top and bottom of the tail to keep it in position.

You could stitch in place along the length of the tail if you think the tail might get pulled off with exhuberant playing!

And it’s time to snuggle your cute and cuddly flat puppy dog plush!

Looking for another puppy dog to sew? Check out this collection of dog plush sewing patterns.