Cuddly Corgi

Sew Corinne Bradd’s plush pup from ultra-soft fleece. Corgis are among our favourite dog breeds, having risen to popularity as a firm fixture of the Royal household. Designer Corinne has stitched her own version from soft polar fleece, designed to be just the right shape for a good cuddle. If you’re sewing with fleece for the first time, choose a thread with a bit of give as this fabric can stretch and clean your machine once you’ve sewn.

Essentials

Polar fleece fabric: cream, rust Felt, black
Toy filling
Safety eyes

5mm seam allowance used throughout, unless otherwise stated

Darling dog

Download, print and cut out the templates from sewmag.co.uk. Snip out fleece fabric as indicated, adding the seam allowance to all pieces. The front and back are cut from the same template; the front has an aperture taken out of the middle for the chest piece, while the back remains a solid shape.
Tack the cream chest piece into the aperture of the rust front, pinning at the top and bottom first to ensure it is positioned centrally. Stitch the chest piece and flatten the front.
Pair up one cream and one rust piece for all limbs and ears. Sew together, leaving the flat edge open. Clip curves if necessary and turn out. Pleat the cream part of each ear and tack. Lay cream side down on the front of the corgi, matching raw edges and tack in place at each side of the top of the head.
Stuff each limb halfway full, pushing the filling right to the bottom. Press the raw edges of each limb, matching up the seams, and tack so they appear bicoloured. Tack in place against the sides and base of the body, matching raw edges.
Place the solid back piece over the top of the tacked limbs and pin in place around the edge of the body. Stitch together, leaving a gap in the lower side. Turn the corgi right sides out and flatten.
Carefully mark the position of the safety eyes with a pencil and fit in place. Cut a 3cm long oval from black felt and oversew to the centre of the face. Stuff the body of the corgi fairly firmly. Gently fold in 5mm along the edge of the gap, then mattress stitch so it is closed. M&ST