Today I have a tutorial for you to make the lovable penguin based on the book Up and Down by Oliver Jeffers.
After falling in love with the story, I started to look at the illustrations a little closer and realized that it was totally something I could recreate. The penguin is simple enough, and cute enough, that it was worth the effort to try.
Looking for the up and Down little boy costume? Click HERE.
Up and Down Penguin DIY (free pattern)
Materials needed:
- Penguin pattern, download HERE
- Black / white / orange knit fabric (upcycled T-shirts works great)
- Stuffing
- Coordinating thread
- Ball point sewing needle
- Sewing machine and basic sewing essentials
- Embroidery thread & Needle
Instructions:
First, print out the pattern which I linked to above. Once you have all the pieces cut out…
I added a little embroidery stitching, to give it a more handmade effect. In the illustrations, there was a lot of gray – so I thought the embroidery would pick up on that.
Simple, but not perfect.
You can of course do buttons for the eyes, but I was giving this to my infant – and I worry about him biting one off and choking on it…hence, embroidery.
Make the cut slit the same size, or just a hair smaller, than the beak.
You may want to add a bit of stuffing to the beak now, as it is harder to do later.
Notice how the arm seams are at a 90 degree angle from the side seam.
Smoosh that sucker down!
You have to really fluff the penguin’s stuffing to make it not lumpy (since we used T Shirt fabric). The knit doesn’t hide the lumps as well as regular woven cotton.
And there you have it! The adorable Up & Down penguin! Pretty simple, right? Use the printable I put in yesterday post and attach it as a gift for the little man or lady in your life…
Thanks so much for stopping by, and until next time…
Happy Sewing!
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(Click on the above image for the Printable)
I have to admit I’ve never even read that book, but I’m off to see if the library has it.
And that penguin is SO cute!
Love it!
i have never read the book, but im sure the kids would love it. they are all about penguins right now. that last picture is priceless! i just love it!!!
and oh my goodness… sitting up already, didnt you just have him:)
He’s so cute!
adorable!!
Very cute.
Eek! So cute! Love that you used knit too. 🙂
I am really in love with him!!! His little hat just kills me. Thanks so much for the pattern!!
I think I might have to try this one….I love it so much 🙂
I don’t know the book but now I’m curious!
Love the penguin, thanks for sharing it with us!
These kind of projects are really fun; last Christmas I brought to the 3D world the ‘ten in the bed’ characters, to my daughter. It was a huge success (well still is, in fact she took them with her to school today!) you can see it here: http://papgenamadeit.blogspot.com/2012/01/10-numa-cama-10-in-bed.html
I have never seen the book but my 7 year old saw me reading this tutorial and asked me to make him the penguin except with a red beak and feet…something about a specific type of penguin he wanted… So today I made him one using fleece. Thanks so much for this cute and easy tutorial. He loves it. 🙂
Love both books, just wish I could sew 🙂
Very cute penguin!
I’m new to sewing. Need some help.
Do I cut my cloth bigger than the drawing to allow for the seam?
Hope to hear from you soon.
Can’t wait to start
Great work, some very good tips! I truly appreciate you crafting this post and the rest of your web site is amazing!