What do you need?
fleece, gray and ecru
fiberfill
white & black felt
yarn, gray and ecru
scissors
a needle & black embroidery thread
optional: a sewing machine
What Miffy means to the Dutch and Winnie the Pooh in the UK Totoro is in Japan, the favorite stuffed animal. Sew the world famous Japanese Totoro yourself. You can sew him by hand or on the sewing machine. The machine is a lot faster but your toy will be stronger and lasts longer. Start by downloading our pattern.
Print out the pattern, stick the two bodyparts together and cut them out.
Cut out all other pattern pieces neatly too.
Pinning them on the right color fabric and cut them out. Remove the pattern.
Sew the legs with the good side inwards and the 'claws' in between.
Turn the legs inside out and fold the felt out.
Cut the felt into claws with five points.
Stuff only the feet already.
Stitch the arms in the same way.
Turn the arms, good side out.
Stuff them and pin them in between the body.
Pin the white belly on also.
Close the body all around but leave the bottom open for turning Totoro and - later - to fill him up.
Pin the ears in between the top of the body.
Stitch the body all around with the ears in between.
Turn the stuffed animal with the good side out.
The ears and paws are stiched on tight now. Cut claws in the paws.
Attach the tread on the inside.
Sew the belly on the outside on by hand.
Sew with invisable tiny stitches.
Stitch a welt over both feet.
Stuff the upper legs.
Pin them in between the open bottom of the body.
The legs should be attached like this now.
Sew the feet upward onto the legs.
So they look like this.
Close the tail.
Turn and stuff the tail.
Pin the tail in the bottom on the back.
Stitch the legs and the tail on with the sewing machine.
Stuff Totoro and close the open bottom part.
Cut and sew the stripes on the tummy.
Sew Totoro's face on.
Embroider the 6 whiskers.
And now Totoro is ready!
Do you still feel like sewing? Later this week week you can also make two of Totoro's little friends. Chibi Totoro (he is the smallest and white) and Chu Totoro (he is slightly larger and blue). The little friends will be ready soon!