"Franklin the Frog" Stuffed Toy - a FREE Pattern & Tutorial

This frog is a little stuffed creature that measures 8" from leg to leg and 3 1/4" wide. His name is Franklin (I created him on Ben Franklin's birthday).  I created him to take to this little boy (pictured above) and his sister.  We played games with him as we explored the island that he and his family live on.  One game was to put the frog on top of our heads and ask each other where the frog went? The other game was to hide the frog in the tree outside his home. Once he found the frog, he would take a stick and try to knock the frog out of the tree.  The lower right photo shows my grandson kissing the frog after he hit it out of the tree.  He said, "Oh froggie, did I hurt you? I didn't mean to."  Sometimes he's such a sweet, gentle boy!  My almost 8 month old granddaughter just liked to suck on her frog.  

Below is a free pattern I created so you can make a frog or two for your favorite children too.  
Supplies needed to make Franklin the Frog:

• Fleece or felt
• 2 3/8" plastic animal eyes
• black embroidery floss
• thread that matches your fabric selection
• embroidery floss that matches your fabric selection

Download the free pattern HERE  - make sure your "fit to paper" option is not checked when you print this pattern. 

1. Cut out the pattern and pin the fabric with right side together.
2. Sew around the edges using 1/4" seam.  Leave a hole from stuffing the frog as indicated on the pattern.  Clip the curves.
3. Turn your frog right side out.
4. Cut a small hole through one side of the "eye" placements. 
5. Add the plastic eyes pushing the plastic holder in place through the wrong side.
6. Slightly stuff the tips of the frog legs and stitch through all layers of fabric to create the bends in the frog's legs.  (See the pattern for stitch lines.)
7. Stuff the upper frog legs and stitch again.
8. Stuff the head and the body.  Sew the opening closed.
9. With green embroidery thread, sew frog finger-webs in place on all frog legs.

10.  This is what your frog's webbed feet will look like when finished sewing.

11.  With a basting stitch, sew a circle around the frog's eyes and pull the thread tight to create depth to the eye area.

12.  With the black embroidery thread stitch along the seam to create a mouth.

13.  Your frog is finished and ready to play.

If you have any questions about making this frog, please let me know. Also, I'd love to know if you and a child come up with a different game to play with Franklin the frog.  xoxo Grandma
Linked to:  Threading My Way - Softies, Crafty Allie, Nap Time Creations