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How to Make A Cute Christmas Elf on the Shelf Tutorial

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Christmas Elf on the Shelf Pattern For a Cute DIY Plush

I love this time of year, for me, it’s just a massive excuse for a big fat craft fest. Making decorations and gifts is my favourite part of Christmas, so I like to start early and drag it out as long as I can. I especially love to make my Christmas decorations with the stuff I have around me. Like with this cute plush Christmas Elf.
 
 
Not only does this adorable Christmas elf look really cute on the mantle he would make a great gift.
 
In this post, I’ve included a full tutorial and free pdf Christmas Elf pattern. To make the Christmas elf even more special and personal you can use a favourite old stripey t-shirt to make him.
 
 
Cute Christmas elf on shelf
 
 
 
This Elf is actually a Christmas pimp of some cute softies I’ve been making for friends for years from old t-shirts. All it took to make the transformation them into elves, was the choice of fabric colour, some Elf like ears, a green felt hat and collar. The body of these cuddly toys is stuffed with lentils which makes them weighted so they sit well and can also be used as a festive doorstop.
 
 
 
This post contains Amazon affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to see my disclosure policy.
 
 
 

What you need to make a Christmas Elf on the Shelf

  • Green stripy jersey fabric approximately 1 fat quarter. If you happen to have an old green stripy t-shirt this would do.

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  • Template downloadable here : Elf Pattern

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  • Cream or a neutral coloured jersey fabric, no more than 1 fat quarter. Again an old t-shirt would do.

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  • Green felt aprox. 1 fat quarter.

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  • 2 extra large coconut shell buttons. These are easily bought online and come in various colours.

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  • Small amount of fibre to stuff the head and ears. Lentils, green or red or split peas to stuff the body.

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  • Needle and thread

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  • Small silver craft bell

 
Christmas elf - full tutorial and free pattern Pillarboxblue.com
 
 

How to make your Christmas Elf

 

Part 1: The Elf head

  • With the Elf Pattern cut out 6 head pieces and 4 earpieces with the cream fabric.

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  • Using a very small seam allowance of about 5mm sew the head pieces together, like the segments of an orange. Leave a gap at the top for stuffing. You should end up with something that looks like a deflated ball. Stuff firmly with the fiber stuffing and close.

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  • Next sew the ear pieces together so that you have 2 ears. Stuff these lightly and then sew a stitch a swirl in the middle of the ear to give it definition.

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  • Sew the ears to the stuffed head

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  • Make a hat out of the green felt; cut a triangle wide enough to go round the head, fold in half, stitch and turn inside out. If you have one you can stitch a silver bell to the top of the hat.

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  • Finally stitch your oversized buttons to the face to make eyes.

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    Elf head tutorial
     
     
     

    Part 2: The DIY Christmas Elf Body

    1. Using the Elf Pattern cut out 2 body pieces and 4 arm pieces in your green stripy fabric.

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    2. Again using a small seam allowance, sew the arm pieces right sides together, leaving a gap at the top. Turn the arms right sides out.

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    3. Stitch the body pieces right sides together, leaving a gap at the shoulders for the arms and a gap at the top for stuffing. Don’t turn out just yet.

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    4. Stuff the arms with lentils. Place the stuffed arms inside body and stitch round the shoulders to attach them.

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    5. Using the hole in the top of the body turn your elf right sides out.

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    6. Next, stuff the body with lentils, make sure you fill the legs, and then stitch to close

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    7. Finally, stitch your head to the body.

     
     
    Elf body tutorial
     
     
    Christmas Elf and buddies - Free pattern
     
     
     
    As you can see to make my softie more Elf like I added a felt collar. This was made simply by drawing round a bowl on some green felt. Cutting out this felt circle and cutting a zigzag pattern into. Then cut a slit into the felt collar so that it can be slipped round the neck of your Elf.
     
     
    Christmas Elf on shelf tutorial
     
     
     
    You must admit this Christmas Elf on the shelf looks really sweet on the mantle.
     
    Instead of using lentils in the past I have used wheat to stuff these Elves. Wheat can be heated in the microwave so the Elves can be used as hot buddies for warming.
     
     
    Christmas Elf Tutorial Pillarboxblue
     
    Finally do you have any good elf jokes? I would love to hear them.
     
     
    You might want to checkout my other Christmas decorations.
    Upcycled Funky felt garland
    Giant Christmas Felt Letters
    Upcycled Shuttlecock Angels
     

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    19. Rachael

      These are adorable! I think I’m going to have to make one of these for my mom and my sister, as well as one or two for our home. Pinning! Thanks for sharing the free pattern.

      Reply

      • Claire Armstrong

        Thank you very much, Ill look forward to seeing it along with everyone elses creations this week at My Flagstaff home.

        Reply

    29. Karren Haller

      Oh-My-Heart…..These are SO CUTE!!!! They are just the perfect diy gift I need for my kids, they would love them. Thanks, Now I would like to invite you to stop by and share your tutorial on my Friday Features Weekly Linkup-Link Above

      Have a great weekend!

      How did elves climbed up to the top of Santa’s Castle?
      Answer: Using an “Elf”-evator.

      Reply

        • Karren Haller

          I really real.l.l.l.l.y hope you will stop by and share this CUTE little elf on my Friday Features this week, I want “so much” to Feature your post next week. Hope you will stop by!!

          And I have pinned him for the world to see….
          Have a great weekend!
          Karren

          Reply

    35. Susan

      I hope that you wouldn’t be insulted if I adapted the pattern, doubled the number of limbs and made a Cthulu On a Shelf for my 28yo son. The pattern is really brilliant and the first time I actually like the silly elf, but it triggered a brainstorm.

      Reply

      • Claire Armstrong

        That’s what I hope to do is to inspire and spark ideas, I think it’s great that you want to adapt the pattern and make something new. Must admit though I didn’t know what a Cthulhu was I had to look it up on Wikipedia. Thanks !!

        Reply

    37. Susan

      Oh my gosh I love the little fabric elf! I think it is sooo much cuter than the same old plastic ones you see everywhere. I will have to keep this in mind for future grandkids! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply

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