I made this photo tutorial so you can see how to sew my Diggles DRAGON Sewing Pattern ~> scroll down for step-by-step photos!
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*** PLEASE NOTE – this in ONLY a PHOTO TUTORIAL ***
The FULL PATTERN IS NOT included here.
It is NOT A FREE PATTERN!I have made this photo tutorial so people who have purchased my Dragon Sewing Pattern can SEE how to sew a dachshund toy! (I wanted to explain this so you are not disappointed if you have found this page via a search engine and not from the link in my Diggles Dragon Sewing Pattern)
* The Diggles Dragon Sewing Pattern is available to buy, from the Funky Friends Factory website as an Instant Download e-Pattern.
Right, let’s sew a Dragon!
First choose some dragon fabric. I used glow in the dark fabric that I got from Voodoo Rabbit Fabrics a while back, for the dragon toy in the photo above, but you can make your toy dragon in almost any colour!
FACE:
STEP 1a
Sew the EAR PIECES together, leave the straight edge open. Clip the seams so the pieces can turn nicely.
STEP 1b
Turn the EAR PIECES right side out and pin the pieces so that they lie flat. Sew a line around the edge of the EARS 5mm( ¼inch) in from the edge.
STEP 2
Pin one of the EARS to a FACE PIECE between A and B, using the pattern markings to guide you.
STEP 3
Sew the FOREHEAD PIECE to the FACE PIECE from B – A – D (with the ear in between).
STEP 4
Fold the EAR and pin it to the FACE PIECE matching point C.
STEP 5
Repeat Step 2 – Step 4 for the other EAR.
STEP 6
Sew the SNOUT PIECES together from G – E – F. Clip the seams like you did with the EARS.
STEP 7a
Sew the SNOUT PIECES to the FOREHEAD & FACE PIECES matching points G and H.
STEP 7b
Trim the seams well at E and use a blunt object like a wooden chopstick to turn the seam well at E (this is the dragon’s nose!).
STEP 8
Sew the darts in the FACE PIECES (1 each side) and the SNOUT PIECES (1 each side)… There are 4 darts in total!
STEP 9
Sew the dart in the CHIN PIECE (only 1 at the front) then cut the slit at the back of the CHIN PIECE.
STEP 10
Sew the CHIN PIECE to the SNOUT & FACE PIECES matching points F, H and K.
STEP 11
If you are using craft/safety eyes insert them now. I added an ¾ inch/18mm FELT circle behind the eyes to make them stand out against the fabric. Put the head aside.
ARMS, LEGS, SPIKES and WINGS:
STEP 12
Sew the ARM PIECES together in pairs, leaving the gap open for stuffing, and turn them right sides out.
STEP 13
Sew the LEG PIECES together in pairs. Remember to leave the gap open for stuffing. Do NOT turn them right sides out yet…
STEP 14
Pin the FOOT PAD PIECES to the LEG PIECES, matching the 3 toes, use lots of pins so the pieces won’t slip as you sew, then sew them together. Sew the LEG PIECES together then turn them right sides out.
STEP 15
Sew the BACK SPIKE PIECES together. Clip the seams very well then turn right sides out. I use lots of pins to keep the spikes flat but you can also use a cool iron to press them very lightly.
STEP 16
Sew the TAIL SPIKE PIECES together. Clip the points well, turn and pin the TAIL SPIKE so it lies flat.
STEP 17
Sew the WING PIECES together in pairs, leaving the straight edge open. Clip the seams very well so they turn nicely. Using the pattern markings as a guide, sew the top stitching lines on the wings. (I use Fraystop to make sure these stitches don’t come undone at the start and finish).
BODY:
STEP 18a
Sew one BODY PIECE to the TAIL ONE PIECE. Sew the other BODY PIECE to the TAIL TWO PIECE, don’t worry, IF you have followed the layout diagram you can only pin them together the right way! 🙂
STEP 18b
Sew the darts in the BODY PIECES (1 on each side).
STEP 19a
Cut the wing slit in the BODY PIECES to create a dart for the wings. Pin the WINGS in place.
STEP 19b
Fold the BODY PIECE, fabric right sides together, and sew the WING inside the slit, using the pattern markings to guide you. Repeat for the other WING.
STEP 19c
Pin each wing back, flat against the BODY PIECE and sew a line of stitching across the base of each wing, sewing through all layers (the BODY PIECE and the WING PIECES inside.
TIP: This will make the wings ‘stand up’ and stop them flopping forwards.
STEP 20
Pin the BACK SPIKE to one BODY PIECE using the pattern marking at the front of the BODY PIECE to guide you.
STEP 21
Pin the other BODY PIECE to them then sew the BODY PIECES together along the top, with the SPIKE in between.
STEP 22
Pin the ARMS and LEGS to the BODY PIECES, matching the pattern markings.
TIP: Turn the BODY PIECES over and fold the ARMS and LEGS onto of them.
STEP 23a
Pin and sew one side of the TUMMY PIECE to one BODY PIECE (with an ARM and LEG in between).
STEP 23b
Pin the back of the TUMMY PIECE in half and pin it ‘out of the way’ then sew the other side of the TUMMY PIECE to the other BODY PIECE (with the other ARM and LEG in between) matching the BODY-TAIL seam, point N and point P on the TAIL PIECES.
STEP 23c
Cut the slit at the front of the TUMMY PIECE (this is so you can fit the head inside the body).
STEP 24
Sew the head to the BODY PIECES matching points L and M.
TIP: I find the easiest way to do this is to turn the head right sides out and place it, facing backwards, ‘inside’ the TUMMY&BODY PIECES.
STEP 25
Sew the CHIN and TUMMY PIECES closed, but remember to leave a gap for stuffing.
STEP 26
Turn your dragon right sides out.
TAIL:
STEP 27a
Fold the end of the BODY PIECES so that the seams are together.
STEP 27b
Push the end of the tail inside the opening of the TAIL SPIKE PIECES. Stitch through all the layers of the SPIKE PIECES to secure them in this position then sew a line of top stitching, around the edge of the TAIL SPIKE, 5mm / ¼inch in from the edge.
TIP: Use Fraystop on your top stitching to stop it coming undone.
STUFFING:
STEP 28
Fill the snout and head firmly with toy stuffing first. If you are embroidering the eyes do them now. Stuff the neck and tail then fill the rest of the body. Use a ladder stitch to close the opening on the Dragon’s TUMMY PIECE. Fill the arms and legs and sew them closed with a ladder stitch.
Your Dragon is ready to LOVE!
Come join the fun on Facebook!
I LOVE to see how your Funky Friends toys turn out!
When you’ve made your own stuffed toy Dragons you can come show them off ~>
Post a photo on my Funky Friends Factory Facebook page for me to see and YOU could win a FREE PATTERN!
Till next time,
Happy Sewing,
Pauline
