Ready to retire to his nest with a full belly; this little squirrel is filling his cheeks with every Autumn nut that he can find. He’s getting a head start…hoping to stay nourished all Winter long.
This tutorial is a simple sewing project for a small woodland squirrel. Perfect for sitting on a Nature table or as a stuffed animal for your little one to snuggle.
Supplies
2 Coordinating Fabrics
Sewing Machine, Scissors
Yarn, Thread
Needle with a big enough eye for yarn
Squirrel pattern: click to view full size and print.

I made the pattern for this project by tracing an antique nut cracker that we have had for years. You can blow up the pattern to desired size on a photocopier. Size used in this tutorial was blown up 150%
Instructions
After you have cut the pattern out, cut the tail from the body pattern.
Using the body pattern first, double up desired fabric (wrong sides facing each other) and cut out two mirror images of the body. These will be the front and the back of the squirrel. Cut out two mirror images of the tail as well, using a complementary fabric.
Now, facing right sides of the tail and body to each other; place the tail edge flush with squirrel’s back, right where it was cut off. Stitch where the tail and the back of the squirrel meet. (see white line in photo) Repeat these steps on the remaining tail and squirrel body. Once done, pin the two halves of the squirrel together. Using approximately a quarter inch seam, stitch all the way around the squirrel, leaving the entire bottom open to stuff.

I used a mixture of stuffing and Balsam needles from a tree that had toppled over on our land, but you can use whatever you like (cinnamon, lavender, herbs, etc.) to stuff yours. You know…….Those silly squirrels will eat just about anything. Turn the squirrel right side out and using a knitting needle, or some other blunt pointy-thing-a-ma-bob… stuff the mixture of balsam and stuffing into the body and tail, making sure to fill every crevice.

Using a large needle and some coordinating yarn; make diagonal stitches over the bottom edge of the squirrel. Space the stitches equally and make them all the same length. Be careful not to pull the stitches too tight. This should make a nice tight seal at the bottom of the squirrel. Make two eyes by making a knot on one side of the head and feeding the needle through to the other side. Make a knot on the opposite side of the head and snip off excess yarn.
If you want the squirrel to be a stuffed animal, this is the point where you would stop.
Now for the base; this is what the squirrel is going to be propped up on, since he has no legs. I used some small branches from the fallen trees, but you can use anything that you like. You are going to secure the squirrel bottom to this base with some more yarn.
Position the squirrel where you want it. Secure the squirrel to the branch with a few stitches and tie a knot with the two loose ends. Now you are finished with your little squirrel.

Julia Daby is a Registered Nurse who lives happily with her husband and little boy in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. She enjoys crafts of all kinds, eating good food, reading, blogging, and being outdoors. But most important of all…. she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
“A good day can get even better with a bit of creativity.”