Animal patterns are always fun to sew and we love stitching our own snuggly teddy bears or cute toys for children. There are so many amazing animal sewing patterns out there, from autumnal foxes to sweet Easter bunnies.
You can make stuffed animals to decorate your home or as gifts for children and babies. They're perfect present for birthdays, Christmas or special occasions too!
Animal patterns are often a good choice for beginners looking to develop their skills and are a great way to learn how to use patterns. We've included a mix of easy animal sewing patterns and more challenging projects for more experienced sewers in this list.
There are plenty of free patterns to explore, plus a selection of some of our favourite patterns to buy. Some of the patterns are also available to buy as kits, so you can get stitching as soon as they arrive.
Many of these projects can be whipped up in a weekend, making it a fun choice if you're looking for a speedy sewing pattern to make.
Read on to discover our pick of the best animal patterns to sew…
New to sewing? Read our beginner's guides for lots of sewing advice! Check out our sewing for beginners, how to use a sewing machine, best sewing machines for beginners and sewing kits for beginners guides.
30 of the best animal sewing patterns
Sausage dog toy softie
Use your patchwork skills to make a fun sausage dog toy softie using this pattern designed by Lucy Ward. It's a great way to use up leftover scraps of fabric and make something in the process.
Lamb sewing pattern
Looking for an Easter sewing project? This darling little free lamb sewing pattern designed by Lucy Ward is perfect to make in the spring months. It would make a lovely gift for a young child to cuddle at bedtime.
Teddy bear sewing pattern
You can't go wrong with a classic teddy bear! This amazing free teddy bear sewing pattern created by Lucy Ward will be treasured by any child. Teddy bears make wonderful heirlooms too.
Bat pattern
Make this Halloween extra spooky by making a pair of bats! They would make brilliant decorations for a Halloween party. This creepy bat plush pattern by Jo Carter is free to download.
Pug pattern
If you know a dog lover (or a pug owner!), this cute pug toy would be an adorable gift. It has lots of personality and is bound to be treasured. Buy the pug pattern from OddlyWildUK on Etsy for £6.
Felt fox pattern
Stitch your own autumnal project by making this charming felt fox pattern created by Jenny Blair. This sweet little fox comes with its own cape of autumn leaves! The cape has been glued together, so this project is more suitable as a seasonal decoration than a toy.
Hedgehog kit
This hedgehog sewing kit is an ideal way to introduce a child to sewing – or to make if you're looking for a speedy sewing project. It is made using hand sewing and machine sewing techniques, so it's a good way to teach your child some new stitching skills – with a little grown-up help. Buy the hedgehog kit from StitchClubUK on Etsy for £17.
Reindeer pattern
If you'd like a festive animal pattern to sew, you can't go wrong with this reindeer pattern from Lucy Ward. Stitch your own little reindeer pal and finish it off with a red bow around its neck.
Unicorn toy
Bring some magic into a child's life by surprising them with Jo Carter's delightful unicorn toy. This DIY unicorn plushie looks incredible when made using snuggly pastel fabric.
Lying cat
This cat toy looks mischievous and ready to pounce! This is a must-sew pattern for all cat lovers and would make a fun addition to any home. Buy the lying cat pattern from XanthePatterns on Etsy for £8.10.
Giraffe rattle toy
Looking for a gift idea for a new baby? This giraffe rattle toy designed by Jess Entwistle would make a wonderful gift for a new arrival. It includes a rattle insert so it'll make a noise when the baby shakes it.
T-shirt teddy bear
Give an old t-shirt a new lease of life by transforming it into a t-shirt teddy bear with this tutorial by Jennie Jones. This is a lovely way to upcycle an old favourite top into a cute new toy.
Sock llama
This fun sewing kit comes with everything you need to create your own colourful sock llama! This is a great sewing project for beginners or for children to try with a little adult assistance. Buy the sock llama kit from SockCreaturesUK on Etsy for £10.
Owl softies
These owl softies are squishy and ready for cuddles. Learn how to make your own with Jo Carter's how to sew owl softies step-by-step guide. We love their cute little heart-shaped faces!
Penguin toy pattern
Brrrr! This penguin toy pattern by Sammy Claridge is perfect to make in the winter. You can make one penguin or make a pair. As these penguin toys have stitched eyes, they're completely safe to give to babies and toddlers.
Felt rabbit
This naughty little rabbit has been stealing carrots from the vegetable patch! This bunny is a cheeky character that children will absolutely love. Learn how to make your own felt rabbit (and carrots!) with Helen Dickson's free pattern.
Fox sewing pattern
Doesn't this fox soft toy look as though they're reaching out to you for a hug? It's impossible to resist this free fox sewing pattern by Jo Carter – you just have to embrace your new fox pal.
Easter bunny
This darling little Easter bunny by Regina Groleau would be a wonderful gift for a small child. If you're good at crochet, it also includes a mini crochet cardigan pattern designed by Sara Huntingdon.
Kitten felt doll
Looking for the cutest animal pattern to sew? We're smitten with this little kitten! Learn how to make a felt doll with Gingermelon's kawaii-inspired kitten felt doll, which comes with its own little suitcase, dress and bow accessories.
Stuffed fox
This soft corduroy fox would make a wonderful addition to a woodland-themed bedroom. It's both huggable and durable. The instructions also cover how to scale down the fox if you want to make a smaller version. Buy the stuffed fox pattern from XantheDesigns on Etsy for £8.10.
Patchwork bird softies
Don't want to make a toy? You could sew these patchwork bird softies designed by Helen Philipps. They're a fabulous way to use up fat quarters or fabric leftover from another project. Add a string so you can hang them up in your home. This project is suitable for intermediate or advanced sewers.
Rabbit sewing pattern
This rabbit sewing pattern designed by Jo Carter has some wonderful details and it's a good pattern to try if you're a new sewer looking for more of a challenge – just make sure you read the steps carefully.
Dog doorstop pattern
This might not be a traditional soft toy pattern, but we love the look of this dog doorstop pattern created by Jennie Jones. Incredibly it only takes one fat quarter to make this charming little dog!
Dove decorations
Who doesn't love a Christmas dove? These dove decorations by Jess Entwistle will bring some Scandi style into your home this Christmas.
DIY felt squirrel brooch
Looking for a mini animal pattern to make? These super cute DIY felt squirrel brooches by the Felted Fox are easy to sew and would make brilliant gifts.
Sloth sewing pattern
This cuddly sloth comes with its own baby sloth! This is a brilliant pattern to make with a child or to give as a gift. Buy the sloth sewing pattern from NataPatterns on Etsy for £6.18.
Flamingo toy
This colourful little flamingo is ready for a party, complete with its own sparkly party hat! The finished flamingo can be used as a badge, keyring or decoration. Buy the Fernando flamingo sewing kit from The Make Arcade on NotOnTheHighStreet for £9.
Felt badger
This felt badger would look sweet on a shelf! It's a good project to try if you'd like to master some basic sewing and embroidery techniques. It comes as a kit and would make a fantastic present. Buy the felt badger kit from StitchClubUK on Etsy for £22.
Orangutan toy
Learn how to make your own cheerful orangutan toy using a sewing kit. The kit contains all the materials you'll need to make your own toy, including links to online video tutorials. Buy the Otis the Orangutan toy from Bea Kind on NotOnTheHighStreet for £14.95.
Kangaroo pattern
This lovely kangaroo and skip pattern make an enchanting duo. The pattern includes full instructions and patterns explaining how to make both kangaroos. Buy the Hop and Skip kangaroo sewing pattern from pcbangles on Etsy for £8.49.
Do you enjoy watching creative TV shows while you stitch? Check out our guides to The Great British Sewing Bee, The Great Pottery Throw Down and Interior Design Masters.
