I’ve made you something! A free sewing pattern for some very nice mice. You can download the pattern here and all the instructions are below. So little – just 3 inches tall. They are quick and very easy. And they love to go boating – they are the perfect size to captain my little felt boats.

pattern notes:

I designed this pattern specifically for hand sewing and felt. The seam allowance of 1/8 inch is included. I recommend small, tight, straight stitches with cotton thread.

material list:

pdf pattern

felt ( wool or wool blend)

matching sewing thread ( I think cotton works best)

embroidery thread

stuffing ( I like wool)

pencil or disappearing fabric marker and – optionally – pink colored pencil

sewing and embroidery needles ( a sturdy sewing needle is helpful for sewing through multiple layers of felt)

pins

chopstick for turning and stuffing

1. Cut one back and two side pieces from felt.

2. Mark both side pattern pieces with the guide dots on the pattern.

3. Cut out the small pieces – I used a lighter scrap of felt for the tummy oval (textured wool or cotton is nice too).

4. Stitch the side pieces together from the tip of the nose to the bottom guide mark – your stitches should be an 1/8th of an inch from the edge of the felt.

5. Optional – use a colored pencil to add a little pink to the ears.

6. Open the side pieces you sewed together.

7. Place the top of the back piece (the narrow end) in the center, matching the top edges. Insert the needle 1/8th of an inch from the top coming out on one side of the center seam (the side you intend to sew first). Make one tiny stitch and knot tightly.

8. Turn the back piece to one side and begin to match the edges and sew the seam-following the curve and maintaining an even 1/8 inch seam allowance.

9. Stop sewing and knot your thread just before the pattern guide dot on the side piece – leave there needle and thread attached.

10. Fold the bottom of an ear together – with the pink inside.

11. Place the folded ear into the seam – the bottom edge of the ear matching the edge of the side with the fold in the back.

12. Continue to sew the seam – going through all four layers – the side, the back and the folded ear.

13. Continue to sew the seam – following the curve and carefully match the edges as you sew. Knot at the bottom of the back – it should meet the bottom of the center seam.

14. Begin to sew in the other side of the back piece to the other side piece. After inserting the ear sew about 1/2 inch further and stop and knot.

15. Sew the seam up from the bottom – leaving a gap of about two inches for turning and stuffing.

16. Turn your mouse right side out and stuff him – be sure to push his nose all the way out and fill in his round parts. Fold in the edges of the opening and whip stitch closed with matching thread.

17. Place the arms on the chest a shown.

18. Place the tummy oval over the arms and whip stitch in place. I’m using a gray thread to match the body color. When you reach the arm fold it over and stitch through.

19. Embroider very simple features ( I’m using black DMC 8 pearl cotton). A V following the seams of the nose and three little stitches below for the mouth. Add a cluster of two or three tiny stitches for each eye – they don’t need to be perfect circles – a little irregularity will add personality. You can find a video tutorial demonstrating a nifty way to hide your knots here.

20. Cut a thin and tapered strip of felt for the tail – twist it between your fingers to soften the edges and curl it.

21. Stitch the tail to the bottom.

22. Place the little feet on either side of the tail as shown and tack on with a couple stitches.

I hope you make some very nice mice! If you do I’d love to see – email photos to ann at ann wood handmade dot com.

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