Free Printable Simple Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Pattern – Great for Beginners and Kids (Optional Finger Puppet Steps)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
❤ Sharing Is Caring Follow Me on Pinterest

Free Printable Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Pattern For Beginners - Easy Hand sew project great for kids

As a mother of young children I love creating fun and engaging projects that teach my kids new skills, are creative, and that we can do together! Today, I’m excited to share a a fun sewing project that is perfect for beginners and will introduce beginners and kids to the joy of making something with their hands—an adorable felt pterodactyl!

This project is designed for kids aged 6 and up (with a bit of adult supervision), and I’ve included a free downloadable pattern for you to use. Plus, if you want to take it a step further, I’ll show you how to turn this cute pterodactyl into a fun finger puppet!

Supplies Needed:

Step 1: Cut Out the Pattern

First, download and print the pterodactyl pattern. You’ll see four pieces: the pterodactyl body (cut out twice, flip when tracing, so you trace both sides of it), the foot (cut out twice, flipped when tracing), the wing (cut out once), and the optional finger puppet pocket square (cut out once).

Use your marker to trace the pieces onto your felt, and then cut them out. When you cut, be sure to cut off any tracing lines or face them inward so they’re hidden in the final product.

Free Printable Felt Pattern for pterodactyl Dinosaur Beginner Friendly and Great Hand Sewing Project For KidsClick to download and print

Free Printable Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Pattern Being cut out on felt

Free Printable Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Pattern being cut out on felt

Step 2: Sew the Eyes

Add some eyes! You can do a simple “knot eye” or choose a small piece of felt (maybe a bright color) for the eyes.

  1. Make a simple knot at the end of the floss, then poke the needle from the back of the pterodactyl body piece to the front where you want the eye to be placed.
  2. Secure it by making a “knot stitch” — just pull the thread tight and tie a little knot by looping the floss and pulling it through.
  3. Repeat for the other eye!

Free Printable Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Pattern Hand sewn eye picture

Step 3: Attach the Legs

Now it’s time to attach the legs. Take your leg pieces and simply sew them onto each side of the pterodactyl’s body using a knot stitch again.

Remember, choose a colored floss that matches your felt for a seamless look! If you want to add toes, you can sew loops of thread from the inside of the foot to the bottom of the felt (poke it really close to the end of the felt rather than just wrapping it, so it doesn’t slip) and add some toes. Be sure to knot your thread when done.

Free Printable Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Pattern Hand Sewn Leg Picture

Free Printable Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Leg and Foot Details

Step 4: Start Sewing the Body

Now that your legs are attached, it’s time to sew the pterodactyl together! Start at the back leg.

  1. Make a knot behind one of the legs to keep everything hidden.
  2. Use a blanket stitch around the tail. This just means pulling the needle through the felt and looping it around before pulling tight—easy peasy!
  3. When you reach the lower back, place the folded wing on top and use a running stitch to attach it. A running stitch is simply stitching in and out, creating a dashed line.

Free Printable Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Pattern Blanket Stitch Details

Free Printable Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Pattern How to sew wings

Free Printable Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Pattern Sewn on head

Step 5: Make it a Finger Puppet (Optional)

If you want to make your pterodactyl a finger puppet, fold the felt pocket square in half and use a running stitch to sew along the top and one side, leaving the bottom open for your finger.

Free Printable Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Pattern For Beginners Finger Puppet Pocket

Free Printable Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Pattern For Beginners Finger Puppet Pocket

 

Step 6: Stuffing Time!

Now let’s stuff the pterodactyl! You can use polyester stuffing, scrap pieces of felt, or even ripped plastic bags. Just make sure to gently poke the stuffing into the head and tail area.

For the finger puppet, insert the pocket you made into the belly of the pterodactyl, angling it toward the head. Finish it off with a blanket stitch around the edges to secure it!

If you decide not to make a finger puppet, simply stuff the body and use a blanket stitch to close it up, knotting where you started.

Free Printable Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Stuffing with Felt Scraps

Free Printable Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Pattern For Beginners Finger Puppet Pocket

Free Printable Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Pattern For Beginners Finger Puppet Pocket

Free Printable Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Pattern For Beginners Finger Puppet Pocket

And You’re Done!

Give your pterodactyl a final fluff and enjoy the work of your hands! This project is a fantastic way to introduce kids to sewing and crafting. I hope you and your little ones have as much fun making these as I do with my children!

Happy sewing!

Free Printable Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Pattern For Beginners Finger Puppet Pocket

Free Printable Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Pattern For Beginners Finger Puppet Pocket

Free Printable Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Finish Dino

Free Printable Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Pattern Finished Dino

Free Printable Felt Pterodactyl Dinosaur Pattern For Beginners Finger Puppet Pocket