How to Make Felt Fish

Print the free downloadable template and cut out the individual pieces. This part is easy—place the pattern pieces onto different colors of felt and trace two of each shape. Cut out the felt so you have two of each: body, tail, and fin. This is enough for one fish, so keep tracing and cutting if you want a whole school. 

You can use the extra felt later on the project, or use it to cut decorative shapes for fish scales. Just remember to cut enough for both sides of your fish!

Start by sewing one fin and one tail piece to one body piece. You'll want to make small straight stitches by hand with the sewing thread and needle. Once the tail is sewn, you can trim the tail of the body.

Cut a bit of white felt and use tiny straight stitches in the center to create the eye. Then sew onto the fish head with sewing thread.

Time to give each fish a little personality. You can sew on any extra felt detailing you made, or use two strands of embroidery thread to add the details onto the body and fin. Lines for scales or stripes can be made with straight stitches, and dots can be made with French knots.

Learn all the sewing techniques you'll need to decorate your felt fish. 

When you're ready, use a blanket stitch with sewing thread to attach the fish pieces. Leave a 1-inch opening, and use that to stuff the fish with fiber fill. Or you can cut up tiny scraps of excess felt and use it as stuffing instead. Once your fish is stuffed, sew it closed with the same blanket stitch.