Cutting out
Step 1
Download, print and cut out the reindeer templates.
Step 2
Pin the pattern pieces onto the wrong side (WS) of the fabrics and draw around them. Cut out and mark openings, darts and positions as indicated on the templates.
Step 3
From the brown plush fabric cut:
- Body back: one using the template.
- Body front: one using the template.
- Head: one pair using the template.
- Head gusset: one using the template.
- Arms: two pairs using the template.
- Legs: two pairs using the template.
- Outer ear: one pair using the template.
- Tail: one using the template.
Step 4
From the cream plush fabric cut:
- Chest: one using the template.
- Inner ear: one pair using the template.
- Tail: one using the template.
- Eye detail: two using the template.
Step 5
From the grey plush fabric cut:
- Antlers: two pairs using the template.
Step 6
From the beige plush fabric cut:
- Back hooves: two pairs using the template.
- Front hooves: two pairs using the template.
Step 7
From the black silk fabric cut:
- Nose: one pair using the template.
Making the ears and tail
Step 1
Pin an inner and an outer ear right sides (RS) together. Sew, then trim the seams and turn RS out. Repeat to make the other ear.
Step 2
Fold each ear in half vertically inwards and pinch the fold to make a three-dimensional ear. Hand-stitch to hold it in place.
Step 3
Pin the tail pieces RS together and sew. Trim the seams before turning RS out. Fold the tail vertically in half, towards the cream side, and place tacking stitches to hold it together.
Making the head
Step 1
With RS together, pin, tack and sew the head gusset to the top of one of the head pieces, from point A to point B. Repeat for the other side.
Step 2
Insert one ear into the slit on the side piece of the head, facing forwards towards the nose. Push it through from the WS to the RS. Pin in place and sew a couple of times to ensure the ear is properly secured. Trim the excess fabric from the seam. Repeat for the opposite side.
Step 3
To close up the head, pin the head pieces RS together. Then be sure to tack and turn the piece RS out to check that you have matched up points A and B and the seams previously sewn meet up correctly. Turn back RS together and sew down from point A to the neck opening at C and from point B to the neck opening at D.
Step 4
Trim the seams and turn RS out. Stuff the head so it becomes a rounded ball shape and the nose end is firm. At the neck, turn the raw edge under by 4mm and sew a running stitch through both layers of fabric, close to the edge. Use double thread so it won't break when you pull the running stitches to gather them. You can always add more stuffing if required to firm up the head just before you close it up.
Step 5
Fasten off with a few stitches to hold the gather in place and close up the gap.
Making the arms and legs
Step 1
Step one With the RS together, pin a hoof to an arm end and then sew together with a 4mm seam allowance. 06
Step 2
Repeat to make the second arm and both legs.
Step 3
Pin the arms RS together and sew, leaving the short ends open. Trim the seams, then turn each arm RS out.
Step 4
Step four Stuff the arms, then fold over the top edge by 4mm and leave the end open.
Step 5
Pin the leg pieces RS together and sew, leaving a turning gap halfway down the inside of each leg. Trim the seams and turn RS out.
Making the body
Step 1
Lay the chest piece on the front body piece, RS together. Pin/tack the outer edge of the chest to the inner edge of the front body.
Step 2
Sew these opposing curves very slowly to ensure the fabrics don't pucker, then clip the curves and remove the tacking stitches.
Step 3
Insert the tail into the slit at the back of the reindeer's body, from the WS through to the RS with the cream side facing down. Pin and sew a couple of times over. Trim the seam.
Step 4
Place the front and back body pieces RS together. Sandwich the unstuffed legs between the layers, pointing into the body. Pin and tack, then sew in place.
Step 5
Make sure all the layers of fabric have been caught in the seam then trim the seams, remove the tacking stitches and clip the curves.
Step 6
Turn the body RS out. Stuff it firmly, then turn under the raw edge of the fabric at the top by 4mm. With double thread, make a running stitch close to the edge through both layers of fabric, as with the head. Pull the thread taut to gather the stitches, and close up the body. Fasten off to secure the gather. Step seven Stuff both the legs firmly, then ladder stitch each opening closed.
Attaching the arms and head
Step 1
Pin the arms to each side of the body, 1.5cm (5⁄8in) from the top of the body. Ladder stitch in place using a matching brown thread. Sew around a couple of times for extra security.
Step 2
Use long pins to position the reindeer's head on its body. Ladder stitch the head to the neck. Stitch again to ensure the head is attached well.
Making the antlers
Step 1
With RS together, pin and sew a pair of antlers. Notch, especially in the areas with deep grooves. Turn RS out and stuff firmly, using small amounts of stuffing at a time.
Step 2
Turn the open edge under by 4mm. Position the antlers on the top of the head. Pin in place with extra long pins. Ladder stitch around the base of each antler.
Making the nose and eyes
Step 1
Pin then sew the black nose pieces RS together, leaving a small gap for turning. Clip the curves and turn RS out. Fold over the raw edge and oversew the opening closed.
Step 2
With black double thread, sew a running stitch all around the edge of the black disc. Begin to pull the stitches to gather them and add a tiny amount of stuffing into the cup that will form. Pull tighter until the stuffing is enclosed, then make a few stitches to tighten the ball and hold it in place.
Step 3
Position and pin the nose on the head, at the end of the tip. Stitch in place using small ladder stitches in black thread.
Step 4
Step four Pin the eye details onto the sides of the head. Appliqué using tiny hand overstitches.
Step 5
In the centre of the cream eye detail use four strands of black stranded cotton to sew French knots or a small satin stitch.
Step 6
Tie a ribbon around the reindeer's neck.
