The patterns for this project are available for only $1.95. The pattern download includes the penguin pattern with sewing instructions.

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*This penguin doll may be used as a write-on / wipe-off doll if you purchase a special marking pen from your local fabric store. Purchase the disappearing ink pen. Test the pen on a sample piece of the fabric you plan to use for the front of the penguin to make sure that it will disappear when rubbed with a wet rag.

Penguin Doll General Instructions:

• Cut out each of the pieces for the penguin doll according to the directions given on each pattern. Patterns for the penguin doll are available through the link in the materials list above.
• All seam allowances for this doll are 1/4 inch unless otherwise stated.
• Finished Penguin Doll measures approx. 13" tall and 6" wide.

Make the Hair:

• Cut a small strip of the black flannel to measure about 2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide and lay it out on your sewing table. (This strip will be used to secure the yarn hair.)
• Take the yarn color(s) you wish to use for the hair and wind it around 4 of your fingers about 3 or 4 times. (see photo) Slide the yarn off your fingers but hold it together at one end.
• Lay that end of the yarn on one half side of the black flannel strip that you made.
• Take the other half of the strip and fold it over the yarn to incase the yarn.
• Sew through all thickness using your machines zig-zag stitch.
• At the other end of your "hair", cut at the center of the loops so that your hair will look like many strands. (see photo)
• Unravel all the 4-ply yarn pieces to make the yarn look more like hair.

Assemble the Penguin Body:

• Sew the front head to the front body. Press seam allowance toward the front head. This piece will now be referred to as the "front".
• Lay the penguin "front" on your sewing table with right side facing up.
• Place the hair piece that you made onto the front head with the yarn portion of the hair pointing down toward the body and so that the black strip will be above the seam line at the top of the head and not be caught in the seam. (see photo)
• With right sides together, pin the penguin back to the penguin front.
• Sew the penguin body pieces together around the body leaving the bottom of the body open.
• Make small cuts in the seam allowance along the curves.
• Turn body right side out.
• Press seams lightly.
• Fill the penguins body with polyfil making sure to stuff it firmly from top to bottom. As you fill the doll, watch that the seam allowances are pushed toward the back of the doll so that the black parts of the seam allowances don't slow through the white front of the body when finished. (If this doll is to be used to write-on/wipe-off, it needs to be firm.)
• Thread your sewing needle with white thread.
• Fold the seam allowances at the bottom of the penguin body toward the inside and use small stitches to sew up the opening.

Making the Penguin Face:

• To make the penguin beak; with right sides together, match the tip and edges of Beak Piece #2 along the tip and edges of Beak Piece #1 and sew along the seam lines as shown on the pattern.
• Next; with right sides together, match the tip and edges of Beak Piece #3 along the opposite tip and edges of Beak Piece #1 and sew along the seam lines as shown on the pattern.
• Trim the seam allowances close the the stitching and trim off each of the tips. (see photo)

• Turn each triangular end of the beak right side out. (You may need to use a pencil to push the tip of each end out.)
• Thread your sewing needle with the orange embroidery floss and knot the end.
• Fold the beak at the center with Beak Piece #1 as the inside of the beak. (see photo)
• Find the location you want to place the beak on the penguin's face and begin to sew just inside the edge of the orange felt all around the beak using a running stitch.
• (Hint: To sew the beak on without having to pull the thread inside the head, put your needle in at the start of your stitch and then back out again at the end of a stitch, pull through and then repeat all around the beak. You may need to go around the beak more than once.)
• Stitch lines for a smile at the corner of each side of the beak if desired.
• To end your stitching with a knot, tie off in a knot under the edge of the orange felt at the bottom of the beak so it will not be seen.
• Thread your sewing needle with white embroidery floss and knot the end.
• Place one of your white eye pieces where you want an eye and sew it on using a running stitch again just inside the edge of the white felt. Again, make sure to hide the knots under the edge of the white felt at start and finish.
• Sew on the other white eye felt piece.
• Thread you sewing needle with black embroidery floss and knot the end.
• Sew a black button onto each of the white eye felt pieces.

Make the Flippers & Feet:

• Sew two of the penguin feet with right sides together as indicated on the pattern.>
• Clip into the seam allowance around curved edges.
• Turn the feet right side out.
• Thread your sewing needle with some of the orange embroidery floss, fold the seam allowances from the opening in the foot toward the inside and then use small stitches to sew up the opening.
• Repeat for the other foot.
• Sew two penguin flipper pieces with right sides together as indicated on the pattern.
• Clip into the seam allowance around the curved edges.
• Turn the flipper right side out.
• Fold the seam allowance from the opening in the flipper toward the inside.
• Using your sewing machine with black thread, edge stitch along the entire back edge of the flipper.
• Repeat for the other flipper.

Finish Assembling the Penguin:

• To attach the flippers, position a flipper onto the side of the penguin about where the body finishes widening and using the placement mark from the flipper pattern. 
• Place a black button at the button mark on the flipper and sew the button on through the flipper and the side of the penguin. Sew the button on through the flipper and side several times for strength.
• Repeat to attach the other flipper to the penguin.
• Thread your sewing needle with orange embroidery floss.
• Fold one foot along the "attachment line" shown on the pattern.
• Position the foot fold on the bottom of the penguin with one side edge at the center point of the body bottom. (some of the foot on the other side edge will not touch the penguin's body bottom but will stick out a bit - see photo)
• Stitch the foot in place along this fold as far as it touches the penguin body bottom.
• Repeat to attach the other foot.

The patterns for this project are available for only $1.95. The pattern download includes the penguin pattern with sewing instructions.