CUDDLE OCTOPUS TOY

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Using the long template, cut 8 pieces of minky fleece.
2. Cut 8 pieces of minky dot fleece using the lower section of the stencil.
3. Cut 8 pieces of stabilizer using the upper section of the stencil.
4. Using the small stencils, cut 2 circles out of the white fleece and 4 x eyelids from the minky fleece and 4 x eyelids from the stabilizer.
5. Attach a minky dot tentacle section to the lower part of a main tentacle section, right sides together. Repeat for all 8 tentacles.
6. Sew head sections of tentacles together in pairs, using stabiliser on the wrong side of each piece. You should end up with 4 octopus sections. Sew two of these sections together. Repeat with the remaining two sections and you will end up with two octopus halves.
7. Attach eyes to one half of the octopus' head: satin stitch the white circles in place, then attach the safety eyes. Place eyelid pieces right sides together with stabilizer on the outside. Sew around edges leaving a 2cm opening on one side. Turn eyelid right side out, stuff lightly, hand stitch opening closed. Pin eyelid in place and hand stitch around curved edge.
8. Sew the two octopus halves together. Turn right side out, then using hobbyfill, stuff the 8 legs and then the head. Be careful not to overstuff the legs.
9. Sit the octopus on its head, fold the edges of the remaining minky dot tentacles under and hand stitch each tentacle to the next tentacle.
10. Cut a circle of minky dot fabric larger than the remaining space on the octopus' belly and tuck it under the ends of the sewn tentacles to cover the stuffing. Pin in place and hand stitch around the circle, attaching all the tentacles.