Tutorial: How to make a Dinosaur (Stegosaurus) Taggie Doll

Here is a fun taggie toy that you can make for a baby boy (or girl~). I used soft minky fabric that I got from Joann's, but you can use whatever fabric you have on hand.

Materials needed:

-fabric (2 rectangular pieces approximately 6.5" x 11" each)
-ribbon pieces
-polyfill
-fabric pen
-embroidery floss, button (optional for embellishments)

Steps:

1) Print and cut out template. (Click HERE to retrieve the pdf)

2) (Note: We will be mainly working with one of the pieces of fabric first.) Trace the "hump" part of the dinosaur onto right side of one of your rectangles (from "start" to "end" on the pattern). This way, you will be able to see where to pin and sew your ribbon pieces.

3) Pin your ribbon pieces in place. Make sure the loops are facing inward. Trace the "hump" part again so that you can see where you will be sewing.

4) Sew the ribbons in place, from "start" to "end".

 5) Trace the outline of the dinosaur on the wrong side of fabric. Use the curve that you sewed in previous step as a guide to line up the hump of the dinosaur.

6) Add embellishments if you so desire (i.e. eyes, mouth, initial on the back). I used a brad for the eye and embroidery floss for the mouth. 

7) (Now we will be needing that second piece of fabric.) Now with right sides of fabric facing each other, pin the two layers together. Sew from "start" to "end" (backstitch at the beginning and end). Make sure to leave an opening where you will be flipping the dinosaur right side out. (Note that I do not cut out the outline and then sew a 1/4" seam allowance, but rather I sew along the traced outline itself.)

8) Trim off excess fabric and clip around curves (especially if you are using bulky fabric). Make sure to leave enough fabric where the opening is so that you will be able to sew it closed. Flip right side out very carefully. It might be a bit tight, but as C-bub would say "don't get fustrated, mommy". 

9) Stuff with polyfill. Use a slip stitch to close the opening. Here is a good tutorial on slip stitching. 

I was going to give Stego to my friend's baby, but C-bub loves it and has made it his own. I guess these taggie toys are great for kids of all ages! :) Happy Sewing!