Stitch your favorite emoji!
Sew a felt version of your favorite emoji using simple stitches, felt, thread, and stuffing to learn sewing basics and personal expression.
Step-by-step guide to stitch your favorite emoji
Step 1
Pick your favorite emoji and draw it big on a piece of paper.
Step 2
Cut out the paper drawing to make a paper template.
Step 3
Place the paper template on a felt sheet and trace around it with a fabric marker.
Step 4
Cut out the felt face shape along your tracing.
Step 5
Draw each facial feature like eyes mouth or eyebrows on scrap felt using your paper drawing as a guide.
Step 6
Cut out each felt feature shape carefully with scissors.
Step 7
Arrange the felt features on top of the felt face until you like the look.
Step 8
Thread your needle with embroidery thread and tie a knot at the end.
Step 9
Sew each felt feature onto the face piece using small running stitches.
Step 10
Place a second felt circle behind the front face aligning the edges.
Step 11
Sew around the edge with a running or blanket stitch leaving a small 2 inch opening.
Step 12
Stuff the emoji through the opening until it looks puffy and even.
Step 13
Finish sewing the opening closed and tie off the thread neatly.
Step 14
Share your finished emoji on DIY.org by posting a photo and a short description of how you made it.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use if I don't have felt, a fabric marker, or embroidery thread?
If felt isn't available use sturdy craft foam or cotton fabric backed with interfacing, trace your paper template with a pencil or tailor's chalk instead of a fabric marker, and substitute embroidery thread with double-stranded sewing thread or thin yarn when threading the needle.
My stitches keep coming loose or the felt features fall off—what should I do?
Tie a secure knot at the end of the thread before sewing, use small backstitches or a blanket stitch rather than long running stitches when attaching eyes and mouth, and trim excess thread to keep the features fixed to the felt face.
How can this project be adapted for different age groups?
For preschoolers use pre-cut felt shapes and fabric glue instead of sewing, for elementary-aged kids use large plastic embroidery needles and simple running stitches with supervision, and for older kids have them practice precise cutting, detailed embroidery, and a neat blanket stitch while stuffing through the 2 inch opening.
How can we personalize or extend the finished emoji?
Before closing the 2 inch opening embroider a name or add sequins to the facial features, insert a ribbon loop or keyring to make a zipper charm, or create a set of different-sized emojis and post the photos and a short description on DIY.org as instructed.
Watch videos on how to stitch your favorite emoji
How to make punch needle Emoji coasters. Punch needling for beginners
3 Videos
How to make punch needle Emoji coasters. Punch needling for beginners
Getting Started with My Emoji Stitches | Software Success
Easy Tutorial: How to Make an Emoji Cup | Clip Title | Cartoonito UK 🇬🇧
Facts about hand sewing and felt crafts
🧵 Beginner stitches like the running stitch and blanket stitch are super easy and great for felt projects.
🪡 Felt is a non-woven fabric made by matting fibers together, so it won’t fray and is perfect for hand-sewing.
🧸 People have been making stuffed figures for centuries — cuddly stitched toys go way back in history.
🎨 Sewing and crafting boost fine motor skills and creativity, and your handmade emoji becomes a tiny self-expression badge.
😀 There are over 3,600 emoji in the Unicode Standard, so you can pick almost any face to stitch!
How do I stitch my favorite emoji?
What materials do I need to stitch a felt emoji?
What ages is stitching a felt emoji suitable for?
What are the benefits and safety tips for sewing a felt emoji?
One subscription, many ways to play and learn.
Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required