If you are looking for a fun way to use up your fabric stash or want to sew a handmade gift, you are in the right place. Making a DIY stuffed bunny is a rewarding project you can tackle in just a few hours. Whether you want to fill an Easter basket or make a softie for a new baby, these free bunny sewing patterns are beginner-friendly and totally adorable.
In this roundup, we have gathered everything from classic plushies to functional bunny bags and scrap-busting felt crafts. Grab your sewing machine (or just a needle and thread) and let’s get started!
Quick Tips for Sewing Your First Bunny
Before we dive into the patterns, here are a few tips to make your sewing experience stress-free:
- Choose the Right Fabric: For beginners, felt and cotton are easiest to handle. If you use stretchy fabrics like fleece or minky, use plenty of pins to keep things from sliding.
- Use a Small Stitch Length: When sewing curves on small plushies, a shorter stitch length makes the seams stronger and the curves smoother.
- Clipping Curves: Once you sew your bunny, make small snips into the seam allowance around the curves (being careful not to cut the thread). This helps the fabric lay flat when you turn it right side out.
- Stuffing Matters: Use small clumps of polyester fiberfill at a time. This prevents your bunny from looking lumpy.
Best For Outfits: 20-Inch Tall Rabbit Doll – Mindy Makes
If you are looking for a tall, huggable friend, this 20-inch rabbit doll from Mindy Makes is a fantastic choice. This easy stuffed bunny sewing pattern is designed specifically for those learning how to make a bunny out of fabric for the first time. Because the body is long and slender, it is the perfect shape for kids who want to play dress-up with handmade doll outfits. The step-by-step instructions ensure you get the proportions just right.
Top Scrap-Busting Choice: Floppy-Eared Rabbit – Melly Sews
This project is a dream for anyone with a growing stash of fabric scraps. The sweet bunny pattern from Melly Sews creates a lightly stuffed, soft toy that features long, floppy ears. It is specifically designed to be easy for little hands to carry around, making it a thoughtful gift for toddlers. It is a quick sew that works beautifully with mismatched prints for a whimsical, patchwork look.
Fastest Felt Project: Chubby Bunny – Tiny Craft World
This DIY Easter bunny plushie is a cute felt craft tutorial that requires very few supplies. The pattern from Tiny Craft World produces a chubby little bunny with floppy ears and a mini carrot accessory. Since felt does not fray, it is one of the most beginner-friendly materials you can use. Bonus tip: if you skip the carrot, the shape works perfectly as a cute puppy plushie too!
Most Creative Easter Gift: Candy Pocket Bunny – Alice and Lois
This DIY stuffed bunny from Alice and Lois adds a functional twist to the classic plushie by including a small pocket on the front. It is the perfect size for tucking in a few Easter candies or a special note. To keep things extra simple for beginners, you can skip the needlework and use fabric paint to create the bunny’s face. It is a high-reward project that comes together very quickly.
Best Baby Shower Gift: Bunny Lovey Blanket – Project Nursery
At 12 inches square, this DIY bunny lovey from Project Nursery is part blanket and part plushie. It is a wonderful handmade gift idea for a baby shower or a first birthday.
Easiest Hand-Sewing Project: Wee Scrap Bunny – Twig and Tale
This wee bunny pattern from Twig and Tale is a lovely way to breathe new life into your favorite leftover fabric scraps. The design is simple – a great canvas for practicing simple hand embroidery on the face or body. Because of its small size, it makes a delightful gift for a newborn and is a very satisfying one-sitting sewing project.
Best Spring Table Decor: Easy Felt Bunnies – Molly and Mama
If you want to decorate your home for spring without the sugar crash, these easy felt bunnies are perfect. The tutorial from Molly and Mama shows you how to whip up a whole family of rabbits in various sizes using different colors of felt and coordinating bows. They are simple enough for beginners to personalize with names or initials, making them excellent personalized Easter centerpieces.
Most Cuddly Softie: The “Sophia the Bunny” Squishable Pattern – While She Naps
Sophia is a squishable, chubby softie that feels like a professional toy once finished. This free sewing pattern from While She Naps is easy to follow and takes about an hour to complete, which is perfect for last-minute Easter basket additions. The round, plump design makes her especially cuddly and a great project for those who want to practice sewing tighter curves.
Highest Quality Heirloom: Soft Woolen Bunny – Purl Soho
Working with wool is a great tip for beginners because the fabric is very forgiving and naturally hides small stitching mistakes. This 16-inch woolen bunny from Purl Soho has a classic, sophisticated look that would fit perfectly in a boutique. The result is a high-quality heirloom toy that is surprisingly approachable for someone sewing their very first stuffed animal.
Best Functional Scented Gift: Bunny Sachet – Craft Passion
Keep your linen closets smelling fresh with this bunny sachet sewing pattern from Craft Passion. It is an ingenious way to upcycle tiny scraps that are too small for larger plushies. You can churn out a dozen of these cute sachets in under an hour, making them perfect for party favors or little gifts to tuck into spring-themed care packages.
Unique Textures for Kids: Knotted-Limb Floppy Bunny – The Sewing Loft
This floppy-eared bunny stands out because of its unique limbs made from knotted fabric strips. You only need one fat quarter of cotton and some small scraps of fleece or knit fabric to get started. It has a wonderful, floppy movement that kids love, and the mix of textures makes it a great sensory toy for younger children.
Best Stocking Stuffer or Egg Filler: Mini Felt Critter – Swoodson Says
This tiny felt bunny pattern from Swoodson Says is designed for those who prefer hand-sewing over using a machine. Using only basic stitches, you can create a miniature rabbit small enough to hide inside a plastic Easter egg. It is a fantastic “quiet craft” for traveling or a great way for a confident beginner to practice their hand-stitching skills.
Best Easter Egg Hunt Accessory: Bunny Bag – Sew Much Ado
Create a functional accessory with this bunny bag free pattern from Sew Much Ado. It features upright ears on the front and a little pom-pom tail on the back, making it a hit for Easter egg hunts. The construction is very straightforward. A great introduction to basic bag making while resulting in a piece that you can use all year long for carrying treasures.
Cutest Japanese-Style Design: Kawaii Snuggle Bunny – Gingermelon Dolls
If you love the Kawaii aesthetic, these snuggle bunnies are for you. They are designed to be plump, squishy, and incredibly soft. The bunny measures about 8 inches tall and works perfectly with high-quality felt. This pattern from Gingermelon Dolls is ideal for anyone looking to create that signature Japanese-style cuteness in their handmade toys.
Best Sturdy Storage Project: DIY Bunny Basket – Heather Handmade
These DIY bunny baskets are a great way to combine home decor with holiday fun. By adding simple bunny details to a sturdy fabric basket made of canvas, you create a durable vessel for gathering Easter eggs. The pattern uses one yard of fabric and results in a high-quality basket that will last for many seasons to come.
Top Bulk-Gifting Pattern: The Bunny Treat Bags – Sew Can She
These treat bags are a clever way to use 5-inch charm squares or small scraps. They are incredibly beginner-friendly and fast to assemble. The design uses the fabric itself to form the bunny’s ears at the top of the bag, making them a festive way to gift small chocolates, jewelry, or trinkets during the spring season.
Perfect First Project for Kids: Simple Running-Stitch Bunny – Sew a Softie
This hand-sewing project is perfect for kids and beginners alike. It utilizes a simple running stitch and a round body shape. It is a sweet, stress-free way to learn the basics of toy making while creating a cute, round felt friend in the process.
Best Upcycled Home Decor: Large Floppy Bunny – Upcycle My Stuff
This pattern is all about being resourceful! It shows you how to turn old cushion covers or fabric samples into a large, 17-inch stuffed bunny. It is a stress-free project that encourages you to use what you have around the house, resulting in a unique, eco-friendly plushie with charming floppy ears.
Most Versatile Pouch: DIY Bunny Drawstring Bag – Seam Whisperer
This drawstring bag tutorial offers two different ear placements so you can customize the look of your bunny pouch. It is an excellent project for practicing basic drawstring casing and working with mid-weight cotton. These bags are perfect for holding small gifts or acting as a reusable wrapping for Easter treats.
Bonus: Best Spring Accent: Fabric Carrot Pattern – AltoysDIY
No bunny roundup is complete without a snack! These fabric carrots are a quick and easy project that adds a pop of color to your Easter decor. Measuring about 8 inches long, they look fantastic in a bowl or as part of a spring garland. They can also be a great warm-up project before you start on the bunnies themselves!
Essential Bunny Sewing Supplies
To get the best results with these free sewing patterns, make sure you have these basics:
- Fabric (cotton, felt, or wool)
- Polyester fiberfill (stuffing)
- Hand sewing needles or a sewing machine
- Sharp fabric scissors: Dull blades will chew through your felt or cotton.
- Fabric marker: Use a disappearing ink pen to trace your bunny template onto the fabric.
- Turning tool: A chopstick or a blunt knitting needle helps push out those long bunny ears.
- Embroidery thread or fabric paint for facial features: Perfect for adding eyes, noses, and whisker details.
Sewing your own bunny is a fun, low-stress way to practice your skills. Whether you choose a hand-sewn felt bunny or a large plushie, these beginner bunny sewing patterns will help you create something special. Handmade gifts always mean more, and these little guys are sure to be cherished.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sewing Bunnies
What is the best fabric for a beginner bunny project?
Felt is the top choice for beginners because it does not fray at the edges and provides a sturdy structure for small plushies. For sewing machine projects, 100% cotton or flannel are excellent options as they do not stretch or slip while being stitched.
How long does it take to sew a handmade bunny?
Most patterns in this roundup, such as Sophia the Bunny or the Bunny Sachet Bag, can be completed in under an hour. More detailed projects with clothing or embroidery may take two to three hours.
Can I sew these patterns without a sewing machine?
Yes! Several patterns, like the Swoodson Says Mini Pocket Critter and the Sew A Softie Felt Bunny, are specifically designed for hand-stitching. Any felt-based pattern can be easily sewn by hand using a blanket stitch or a running stitch.
What should I use to stuff a DIY plushie?
Polyester fiberfill is the most common choice for a squishable, soft feel. For a more eco-friendly approach, you can use fabric scraps cut into tiny pieces or even dried lavender (for sachets) to add weight and scent.
Are these bunny patterns safe for babies?
For baby-safe toys, like the Bunny Lovey, it is important to avoid plastic safety eyes or buttons which can be choking hazards. Instead, choose patterns that use embroidery thread or fabric paint to create the facial features.
More sewing fun! Free cotton skirt patterns for beginners. Quick unlined drawstring bag tutorial.