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While browsing for fabric on Fabric.com, I came across a cute Noah’s Ark fabric panel. It had a sewing pattern printed on it for an ark-shaped pillow with pockets to store a Noah figurine and animals. I bought the fabric panel and figured it would be a fun toy for my kids that I could also use to teach them this bible story.
Here are pictures of my completed Noah’s Ark and figurines:
Noah’s Ark Fabric Panel Review
CLICK HERE to Get the Noah’s Ark Fabric Panel
Product Description: 100% cotton print panel from QT Fabrics featuring Noah’s ark and seven figurines. Use this panel to create a Noah’s ark decorative pillow or huggable toy.
Time to Sew: 1-2 Hours
Difficulty: Beginner
If you’re looking for an easy sewing project, fabric panels can help. This Noah’s ark sewing pattern was super easy to follow. All you have to do is cut out the shapes on the panel, sew them together on your sewing machine, stuff them with fiber fill, and then stitch the opening shut by hand. The instruction for this sewing project are printed directly on the panel, but I’ve included more detailed steps below.
The whole Noah’s ark sewing project took me approximately two hours from start to finish. The hardest part was stitching the openings shut by hand after stuffing each of the animals with fiberfill. I have M.S., and sometimes my fingers don’t cooperate as well as I’d like. If you can do a ladder stitch, you will have no problem.
My biggest piece of advice for this sewing project is to not overstuff the ark pillow. My ark has too much fiberfill and this makes the pockets tight. My kids don’t care, so I’m going to leave it instead of unstitching and removing some of the fluff, but I wish I would have thought of that before stitching it shut.
Another thing to be aware of is that this fabric panel makes one Noah figurine and six animals. I wish that there were two of each animal to stay true to the bible story, but it’s ok. If this is something that would bother you, consider buying two fabric panels so you can make more animals.
Here are the notions you’ll need to buy to sew the Noah’s ark pillow and figurines
- Noah’s Ark fabric panel
- Coordinating thread
- 16 oz. of fiberfill
- Needle to sew by hand
Instructions to Sew the Noah’s Ark Pillow and Figurines
This Noah’s Ark sewing pattern is not difficult to figure out, but I thought I’d include step-by-step instructions for beginners. I hope you find them useful. The instructions here are meant to be used in conjunction with the instructions from QT Fabrics.
Step 1: Cut out all the pattern pieces following the lines on the panel. A rotary cutter would work best.
Step 2: Fold over the top edge of both ark pocket pieces to the back 1/8 inch and press in place. Then, repeat the process by folding down another 1/8 inch. Stitch the fold in place. This is a good place to use your edge stitch foot.
Step 3: Pin one pocket piece to each of your main ark pieces and stitch together using a 1/8-inch seam allowance. Make sure to match up the dots on your pattern pieces.
Step 4: Line up the two matching ark pieces with right sides together. Then, sew them together along the top using a ¼-inch seam allowance. Start sewing from the top corner of the deck and stop in the same place on the other side.
Step 5: Pin the bottom of the ark to the larger ark pieces with right sides together. Sew the bottom of the ark with a 1/4-inch seam allowance, leaving four inches open along one of the bottom edges for turning and stuffing. Make sure that you do not leave a hole where the point of your ark is formed.
Step 6: Clip and notch all corners and curves so that they do not pucker when stuffed. Then turn the ark right side out.
Step 7: Pin all of the animal pieces with right sides together.
Step 8: Sew all of the animal pieces together using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, leaving a small opening at the bottom for turning and stuffing. The smaller you make the opening, the less hand stitching you will have to do later.
Step 9: Trim the seam allowance on all animals to 1/8 inch. Then, clip and notch all corners and curves where necessary so that they do not pucker when stuffed. Turn all of the animals right side out.
Step 10: Stuff your ark and animals with fiberfill until they feel good to you. Do this by putting a little bit in at a time, avoiding chunks of fluff. Do not overstuff the ark because it will make the pockets too tight to use.
Step 11: Use a needle and thread to stitch the opening on the ark and all of your animals closed. Do this with a ladder stitch and be careful to stitch in a straight line to make it look good.
Let me know if you tried this Noah’s ark sewing pattern. I’d love to know how it went in the comments below.
Thank you for your post including the intstructions. I have had this very panel for over 20 years, all cut out but never made but now I have a new baby Grandson (big surprise) I thought it was time to finally sew it together. Unfortunately I had lost the instructions so your post has come in very handy. Will let you know when it is complete.
I also had the pieces but no instructions. Was nicely surprised to find not only instructions but pictures. Thank you.