This dragon soft toy project was written Lynne Sharpe from The Make It Room. Lynne teaches dressmaking and craft classes in Chelmsford, Essex and sells a range of patterns, including other adorable soft toy patterns.
The fleece fabrics were provided by Pound Fabrics, they are an online store selling a range of low cost fabrics from just £1 a metre!
This adorable soft toy dragon would make a great gift for the children in your life. If making for younger children you could use felt for the eyes and nose rather than buttons to avoid small parts. Why not sew it in reds to make a Welsh dragon?
You will need
Fleece (three colours), we have used Pound Fabrics Anti Pill Polar Fleece which comes in a wide range of colour options.
Matching thread and contrast thread
Needles and pins
Sewing machine
Toy stuffing (also from Pound Fabrics)
Heart shaped buttons
Fabric pen
Templates: To download click to view the template then right click and select ‘save as’. Print all templates on A4 paper using the print actual size setting, use the letters to join the pattern pieces.
All seams are sewn at 1cm/⅜ inch or slightly less
How to sew the dragon
Pin and cut out the fabric pieces as directed on the pattern.
Start by sewing the lines on the dragon’s belly section. Using an erasable fabric pen draw a line across the centre from side to side. Sew along the line as shown above left, this has been done with a slightly longer stitch than normal and we have used a contrasting colour. It is advisable to start in the middle and work out to the ends. When stitching the remaining lines, use the width of the presser foot as your guide, see the centre image above.
Starting at the neck edge of the belly section, pin to the body piece along the side ending at the tail point. Sew with the machine. Repeat with the other body section. Pin and sew the centre back together from the neck to the tail, leaving a gap in the seam as shown on the pattern piece. Stop 1 cm ⅜ in short of the point on each side; this will give a better point to the tail. Turn out to the right side. Pin and sew the head pieces together, leaving the neck open, check that the neck of the head and the body are the same size, turn out to the right side.
Place the ear pieces together (we have used two colours) and top stitched these together. Roll the horn pieces into a cone shape (roll from the wedge shaped end to the point) and place a stitch to hold it with a needle and thread. See pictures centre and right above.
To make the wings, pin and top stitch two pieces together close to the edge, trim if necessary to make them neat. Lightly place some toy stuffing inside the wing and then machine the lines in position through all the layers. Sew any ends in. Repeat for second wing.
Make the arms and legs, sew together leaving a gap as indicated and turn to the right side. Lightly fill with stuffing and top stitch claws as shown above
Fill the dragon’s body with stuffing as shown above left – if you find it hard to get into the small areas, a chop stick works really well, while a knitting needle tends to pierce the fabric. Close the hole with a pin; this can be handstitched together later. Also fill the head with stuffing leaving enough room to turn in a small seam as shown above right.
Place the dragon’s head on to the body section as shown above left and hand stitch in place with double thread as shown above right.
Make sure the wings are filled with stuffing and place on the dragon’s side and pin and handstitch in place, it is possible to place a small amount of glue under the wing to add to its stability. Sew the ears on the dragon’s head as shown above right and place the horns just in front.
Sew up the opening in the dragon’s front legs and back legs and stitch in place on the body. To finish sew on the buttons for eyes and nose and sew up the hole in the dragon’s back and off he goes!
Why not make Lynne’s soft toy penguin or toy elephant projects next also featured on The Sewing Directory? Or shop her range of sewing patterns here they include other adorable soft toys such as a badger, mouse, monkey, dog, hippo and pig.
