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How to Make an Elephant Toy Using Fur

A plush pachyderm can be made from lightweight polyester fur fabric, available by the yard in fabric stores. Picture and coloring books can provide a pattern for the elephant toy, which can be traced and enlarged to desired size. Young children over the age of 3 can assist with this step by finding their favorite image of an elephant and tracing over it. Children could also help choose the furry fabric, which will not ravel, for their elephant toy.

Things You'll Need

Elephant coloring or picture book
Tracing paper
Copier
Scissors
Straight pins
1 yard gray polyester fur fabric
Two buttons for eyes
Sewing machine
Needle and thread
1 lb. polyester fiberfill
12-inch greay cording

Instructions

- 1
  Find a side-view picture of an elephant in a coloring or picture book. Trace over the elephant with the tracing paper and a pencil.
- 2
  Enlarge the image to the desired size of the elephant toy with the copy machine. Cut out the image with scissors for a template.
- 3
  Pin the template to the fur fabric with the straight pins and cut out the fur. Repeat, for a second pattern piece of fur.
- 4
  Hand-sew the buttons on the fur for eyes on the elephant face with the needle and thread. Cut out a large circle of fur with the scissors for ears. Cut the circle in half and hand stitch the ears on the elephant.
- 5
  Pin the pattern pieces to each other with the fur side of the fabric facing inward. Stitch a straight stitch 1/2 inch from the edge of the fabric along the entire edge, leaving a 6-inch opening.
- 6
  Turn the elephant toy to the right side. Stuff the elephant with fiberfill and hand sew the opening closed.
- 7
  Cut the cording to 6 inches and hand-sew it to the back of the elephant for a tail.

Plush Toys