The holidays are just around the corner. I like to try to make things for at least some of the people on my list. It always feels so good to give handmade. Making things really can help you save money on your holiday shopping, especially if you use a free tutorial and fabrics from your stash.
On that note, I’ve put together a somewhat unconventional gift guide. It’s a collection of wonderful, free tutorials for softies to sew!
I hope you find something here you’d like to make for someone on your list.
I love this adorable Molly Monkey doll by Larissa Holland of mmmcrafts. This would be a great gift for a little girl. You can incorporate her favorite colors in the dress and shoes, or make it match her bedroom. Get the free pattern right here.
I love this sweet little Gingerbread Man softie from Pauline McArthur of Funky Friends Factory. This guy would make a great quick gift to sew for friends or teachers. He’d also be a fun gift topper. Get the free pattern right here.
Check out this utterly adorable duck softie by Mariska Vos-Bolman of DIY Fluffies. I would make this for a baby or toddler and pair it with a Fuzzy Yellow Ducklings by Matthew Van Fleet. That would be a very nice gift indeed. Get the free pattern right here.
Pete the Bear is my most popular free pattern. He’s super easy to make so you could whip up half a dozen in no time and give them out to all your nephews and nieces. Make Pete from any soft fabric including fleece, wool, felt, or a felted sweater. Get the free pattern right here.
Nothing says winter more than a cute penguin! I love the use of black and white prints on this one from The Purl Bee. Pair this guy with Penguin and Pinecone by Salina Yoon for a terrific gift (I’m a fan of the toy + book gift combo). Get the free pattern right here.
Hillary Lang’s blog, Wee Wonderfuls, was one of the first blogs I followed when I began making softies. Her Pointy Kitty pattern is an oldie, but goodie. Kawaii cute proportions make this guy super appealing. Get the free pattern right here.
“Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” Illustrate the classic Christmas story with these two mice from Jodie Carleton. I think you should sew a piece of cheese to along with them, but that’s certainly optional. Get the free pattern right here.
Make this adorable Yeti monster, designed by Amanda Teple for Craft Tuts. I think this guy would be a big hit with both boys and girls. Grown-ups, too. Everyone loves a Yeti. Get the free pattern right here.
And finally, for the owl-obsessed 9-year-olds on your list (I’ve got one for sure), this owl softie can’t be beat. What a cutie! Get the free tutorial from Ruth at Hammer and Thread right here.
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Do you have a favorite free softie pattern? If you do, please feel free to leave a link in the comments. The more the merrier!
Happy sewing, everyone!
Good list! I’ve made Molly Monkey as well as Pointy Kitty. Another favorite of mine is Fluffy Stuffy Bunny from AllSorts. http://allsorts.typepad.com/allsorts/2011/01/its-fluffy-its-stuffy-its-a-bunny.html
One of my very favorite designers, Mimi Kirchner, generously made available a free pattern for a doll in her distinctive style, in a blog post over at Purl Bee in 2009. It would make a lovely gift for an older child or even an adult…
http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2009/4/8/mimi-kirchners-hand-sewn-felt-doll.html
“Making things really can help you save money on your holiday shopping” Also birthdays!
You are absolutely correct! Last year I started early, and each of the oldest seven grandchildren ages 10-2.5yrs received a knitted cap and matching alligator scarf (Moorhouse Farm) in their favorite color. They were a big hit! The youngest received a knitted sweater vest. His mother loved it and he got a lot of use out of it. 🙂
I then started on a year of birthday gifts (I have one or more birthdays per months except December) that included doll clothes (knitted sweaters or sewn clothing), a purse, and a small painting. I am an artist. It was a request. I am hoping that I will be able to include my children and in-law children (six adult children and five in-law children) for 2014. Currently they receive a token gift. It is small, but well thought out and appreciated. When they heard I might include the adults for hand made gifts, more than a few have requested artwork, some watercolor, some graphite. It is very flattering. I will try.
We are very busy people and we try to make what we can within our time constraints..or despite them.
My husband makes wooden toys for the boys.
I do not have plans for the youngest, and ninth grandchild! I must make one of the patterns you suggested!! So many to choose from! Too cute!
Thank you!
Have a great Chanukah!
Abby you are so sweet to post these free tutorials! One of these days I have to make a softie . .
Thanks for including one of my softies in the list Abby. My aim is always to release a new free pattern for the end of each year, but there is something about the end of the year that always sneaks up so quickly. I’ll have to get onto it right now!
Thanks, Abby! I made a good old fashioned sock monkey today. I want to try some of these!
Ill be printing these off and making a fabric kit! I have a wee that’s getting her first sewing machine from Santa. These look like they will grow with her sewing skills and she can gifts for her friends.
Oh, Fluffy Stuffy Bunny is adorable! That’s a great one. Thank you so much!
I love Mimi, too! Her Purl Girl would be terrific handmade gift. Thanks for this addition to our list!
These all sound terrific, G! Your family is so lucky!
That’s a great addition, Bonnie. I did a craft fair a few years ago and made some sock monkeys. The sold out in the first few minutes and the rest of the show people kept coming by and asking for them! Sometimes it’s the classic things that are the most popular.
A kit is a great idea! Once a child gets a sewing machine, it can be hard to know what project to tackle first. I think softies are a great way to start!
I want to make all of these, and keep em’ all, such cutness!
Hey, Abby, thanks for including Molly Monkey in your lovely list! It makes me want to make a Molly again. 🙂 I really dig that Yeti too. So many things to make. So little time.
So cute ! I love the mice !
My favourite free stuffie still is the owl from le-kimi …http://le-kimi.blogspot.de/2013/03/knuddeleule-freebook.html
Its in german, but its really easy.
Ha! Me, too!
You’re welcome, Larissa!
Oh, that owl is adorable!
Googled softie tutorial patterns and was directed to your site. I appreciate you posting several free patterns, I was looking for a gingerbread pattern & your site directed me to one. Thank you for sharing, much appreciated! Looking forward to reading your blog! Thanks again.
Glad to hear it, Brenda.