Pattern Description:
The DIY Nessie Loch Ness Monster is a sewing pattern for a large, plush stuffed animal, ideal for children to play with.
It features a long neck, flippers, and a smiling face. The project can be hand-stitched or machine-stitched using felt or alternative sturdy fabrics, allowing for customization.
Materials Needed & Measurements:
- Stuffing:
- 1 large bag of stuffing (poly-fill).
- Alternatives:
- 2-4 cheap pillows (~$3 each).
- Several large bags of poly-fill (~$10 each).
- Plastic grocery bags (for extra firmness/support).
- Optional: Dowel or stick (for neck support).
- Threads: Matching thread for sewing felt pieces.
- Sewing Method:
- Hand sewing (recommended stitches: overcast stitch, blanket stitch, or running back stitch).
- Sewing machine optional (add seam allowance if using).
- Main Body Fabric:
- 1.5 yards of felt (recommended).
- Minimum: 1 yard.
- Suggested felt color: Ocean Kelp.
- Alternatives: Fleece, flannel, cotton/polyester fabric, upholstery fabric, chunky cotton corduroy.
- Standard fabric width: 45″ or 60″.
- Patches (Decorative): Small sheet of pink felt.
- Eyes & Mouth: Small sheet of black felt.
Measurements:
- Main Body Fabric: 1.5 yards.
- Patches, Eyes, Mouth Felt: Small sheets (e.g., 9″x12″, sold for ~30¢ each).
Instructions for Making the Nessie The Loch Ness Monster Pattern:
Sewing the Flippers
Take your 8 flipper pieces and stitch them together in pairs of two. As you sew each pair, make sure to leave a small opening on the curved edge of each flipper. This opening will be used for turning and stuffing.
Once stitched, turn the flippers inside out by pulling them through the opening. This hides the seam work on the inside. Finally, fill your flippers with stuffing.
Assembling the Body
Lay your two main body pieces on top of each other. Next, lift up the bottom part of these stacked body pieces and lay the belly piece evenly on top of both halves of the body piece.
Now, sew the belly piece onto the body pieces. Continue sewing the rest of the body, making sure to leave an opening at the neck for turning the body inside out and stuffing.
Turning and Stuffing Nessie
Once the body pieces are sewn together, turn the entire body inside out (right side out) by pulling it through the opening at the neck.
Now it’s time to stuff Nessie! Begin by filling the neck and tail first. It’s crucial to REALLY stuff the neck super good so that it will stand up straight and be well-supported.
For additional neck firmness, you can insert a dowel or stick and stuff around it. If you anticipate Nessie being used as a “rocking horse” or for heavy play, you can use plastic grocery bags as extra support for the back.
Continue stuffing the rest of Nessie until she is firm and plump. Once fully stuffed, sew up the opening at the neck.
Adding Flippers and Facial Features
Position the two flippers on each side of Nessie’s body, facing away from each other and pointing out. Pin them securely in place and hand stitch them onto the body.
If you prefer a more secure attachment, you can sew the flippers into the belly/side seams during the body assembly stage.
For the eyes, cut out two rectangles from black felt. Roll these rectangles into ball shapes and sew the ball in place until it forms a complete sphere.
Position these felt spheres symmetrically on Nessie’s face, pin them, and then sew the eyes onto the face.
For the smile, pin the long strip of black felt onto the face. Determine how wide you want Nessie’s grin to be, and then cut the corners of the strip so that the edges are tilted, creating a cute grin. Stitch the smile in place.
Optional Patches and Finishing
As an optional step, you can cut out additional patches from felt (e.g., pink felt) and sew them onto Nessie’s body.
Once all parts are attached and the body is stuffed and closed, your Nessie is complete!
