If you enjoy small seasonal sewing projects, these free felt animal patterns are a lovely choice for winter crafting. I gathered three of my recent felt designs in one place: a soft white owl, a woodland deer, and a cheerful gingerbread man.
All three projects are sewn by hand with blanket stitch, which works especially well with felt because it joins the layers while creating a neat decorative edge. If you are new to this stitch, watch my Blanket Stitch Tutorial before you start:
Each project below has its own free pattern and a complete tutorial with detailed step-by-step photos.
Felt Owl Pattern
This little white owl has a soft winter look and plenty of handmade detail without an overly complicated construction. I kept the body shape simple and added layered wings, a contrasting face, a small felt beak, and embroidered details.
The owl is only lightly stuffed, so it keeps a fairly flat shape. This makes it a nice choice for a winter decoration, a hanging ornament, or a small handmade gift.
The colors can easily be changed too. White and beige give the owl a soft snowy appearance, but gray, brown, or warmer natural shades would create a completely different version.
Download the Pattern
Notice: No additional seam allowance is needed. Cut directly along the pattern lines.
To download the pattern, follow the instructions below:
From a phone or tablet: There should be a similar option for mobile devices with Android or iOS. Click on the image. Save it by holding your finger on the image and selecting the “Save Image” option. Then, go to your photo gallery and print it (an option available).
From a computer: Click on the photo of the pattern you see below. In the new tab that will open, press the right mouse button and select the “Save image as …” option. Then, choose where the image will be saved on your computer.
For the materials list and a detailed step-by-step photo guide, visit my Free Felt Owl Sewing Pattern Tutorial for Beginners.
Felt Deer Pattern
The second pattern is a small standing deer with a rounded body, delicate antlers, white chest detail, little hooves, and a slightly stuffed tail.
I wanted this deer to feel wintry without making it strictly a Christmas decoration. The removable red scarf adds a seasonal touch, but once the scarf is taken off, the deer works just as well as a simple woodland felt animal.
Small details make a big difference here. The embroidered eyelashes, tiny mouth, contrasting felt pieces, and decorative stitches help give the finished deer its gentle expression.
Download the Pattern
Notice: No additional seam allowance is needed. Cut directly along the pattern lines.
To download the pattern, follow the instructions below:
From a phone or tablet: There should be a similar option for mobile devices with Android or iOS. Click on the image. Save it by holding your finger on the image and selecting the “Save Image” option. Then, go to your photo gallery and print it (an option available).
From a computer: Click on the photo of the pattern you see below. In the new tab that will open, press the right mouse button and select the “Save image as …” option. Then, choose where the image will be saved on your computer.
For the full materials list and a detailed step-by-step photo guide showing the entire sewing process, visit my Cute Felt Deer Sewing Pattern: Free Tutorial for Beginners.
Felt Gingerbread Man Pattern
The gingerbread man brings a brighter Christmas touch to this winter collection. The basic shape is very simple, but the decorations give plenty of room for personalization.
My version has a red felt bow, real buttons, white decorative details, small berries, green leaves, and a hanging loop. The rounded body and simple straight arms and legs also make the pattern comfortable to cut and sew.
This is an especially fun project if you like using small scraps and decorations already in your craft box. The bow, buttons, leaves, face, and other details can all be changed without altering the main pattern.
Download the Pattern
Notice: No additional seam allowance is needed. Cut directly along the pattern lines.
To download the pattern, follow the instructions below:
From a phone or tablet: There should be a similar option for mobile devices with Android or iOS. Click on the image. Save it by holding your finger on the image and selecting the “Save Image” option. Then, go to your photo gallery and print it (an option available).
From a computer: Click on the photo of the pattern you see below. In the new tab that will open, press the right mouse button and select the “Save image as …” option. Then, choose where the image will be saved on your computer.
For the materials list and a detailed step-by-step photo guide from cutting the felt to adding the final decorations, visit my Free Felt Gingerbread Man Pattern for Beginners.
FAQ
What felt should I use for these patterns?
I recommend soft felt around 2 mm thick. It is easy to cut, comfortable to sew by hand, and holds the shape of small stuffed pieces well.
Are these felt patterns suitable for beginners?
Yes. The shapes are fairly simple, and all three projects use the same basic hand-sewing technique. Small decorative elements can also be simplified if you prefer an easier version.
Can I make these projects as hanging winter decorations?
Yes. Add a ribbon, cord, or thread loop before you close the final opening. The owl and gingerbread man are especially suitable for hanging decorations.
Before You Go
These three felt animal patterns are a cozy way to add a little handmade charm to winter, and each one can be easily personalized with different colors and small decorative details.
If you would like to sew one more winter character, take a look at my Felt Penguin pattern:
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