After falling in love with the story, I started to look at the illustrations a little closer and realized that it was totally something I could recreate. The penguin is simple enough, and cute enough, that it was worth the effort to try.
And I am so happy I did! The pattern, which can be found HERE, is for a KNIT version. in other words, I did not try it with a non-stretch fabric – but rather made it from a bunch of old T Shirts and scrap fabric I had lying around.
Want to make your own Up & Down Penguin? Here is what you need to do…
First, print out the pattern which I linked to above. Once you have all the pieces cut out…
I added a little embroidery stitching, to give it a more handmade effect. In the illustrations, there was a lot of gray – so I thought the embroidery would pick up on that.
Simple, but not perfect.
You can of course do buttons for the eyes, but I was giving this to my infant – and I worry about him biting one off and choking on it…hence, embroidery.
Make the cut slit the same size, or just a hair smaller, than the beak.
You may want to add a bit of stuffing to the beak now, as it is harder to do later.
Notice how the arm seams are at a 90 degree angle from the side seam.
Smoosh that sucker down!
You have to really fluff the penguin’s stuffing to make it not lumpy (since we used T Shirt fabric). The knit doesn’t hide the lumps as well as regular woven cotton.
And there you have it! The adorable Up & Down penguin! Pretty simple, right? Use the printable I put in yesterday post and attach it as a gift for the little man or lady in your life…
Later on this week I will show you how to make the helmet so that your Penguin can fly 
.
Thanks so much for stopping by, and until next time…
Happy Sewing!
I have to admit I’ve never even read that book, but I’m off to see if the library has it.
And that penguin is SO cute!
Love it!
i have never read the book, but im sure the kids would love it. they are all about penguins right now. that last picture is priceless! i just love it!!!
and oh my goodness… sitting up already, didnt you just have him:)
He’s so cute!
adorable!!
Very cute.
Eek! So cute! Love that you used knit too.
I am really in love with him!!! His little hat just kills me. Thanks so much for the pattern!!
I think I might have to try this one….I love it so much
I don’t know the book but now I’m curious!
Love the penguin, thanks for sharing it with us!
These kind of projects are really fun; last Christmas I brought to the 3D world the ‘ten in the bed’ characters, to my daughter. It was a huge success (well still is, in fact she took them with her to school today!) you can see it here: http://papgenamadeit.blogspot.com/2012/01/10-numa-cama-10-in-bed.html
I have never seen the book but my 7 year old saw me reading this tutorial and asked me to make him the penguin except with a red beak and feet…something about a specific type of penguin he wanted… So today I made him one using fleece. Thanks so much for this cute and easy tutorial. He loves it.
Love both books, just wish I could sew
Very cute penguin!
I’m new to sewing. Need some help.
Do I cut my cloth bigger than the drawing to allow for the seam?
Hope to hear from you soon.
Can’t wait to start