How to Make Farm Animals from Wood or Fabric

Wood

• 1

  Draw or print simple profile images of farm animals on cardstock and cut them out.

• 2

  Trace the templates onto the wood. Measure and mark the wood for a rectangular stand for each animal. The stands should be about 3/4- to 1-inch wide and at least as long as the animal.

• 3

  Cut the animal outline and the stands with a jigsaw.

• 4

  Sand with coarse or medium sandpaper, such as 50- or 60-grit, following with fine sandpaper such as 100-grit.

• 5

  Affix the animal cutouts to the stands with wood glue.

• 6

  Prime the figures and paint them using acrylic colors.

Fabric

• 7

  Draw or print simple profile patterns of farm animals on cardstock and cut them out.

• 8

  Trace the templates onto the underside of the fabric. You will have two cut-outs for each animal. Create mirror images so the pieces will align with the correct sides facing out when you sew them together.

• 9

  Sew on buttons for eyes, feathers for wings and yarn for mane and tails to give the animals detail and texture.

• 10

  Sew the mirrored pieces together inside out, leaving about an inch unsewn. Use a sewing machine to complete this step more quickly.

• 11

  Turn the animal right side out through the hole and stuff it.

• 12

  Sew the hole with a clean overstitch using a needle and thread. Tuck in the edges of the fabric to leave a clean seam.