Tutorial - How to Make a Totoro Pillow

If you are interesting in the pattern for this Totoro pillow, see my Etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/SewLeslieCrafts. Along with the printable PDF pattern, you'll also receive more detailed instructions and more step by step photos. You can also find finished pillows for sale as I have them available.

So here's the basic idea behind making your when Totoro buddy.

To make your very own cuddly Totoro pillow, you'll need the following materials:

Fabric (I used fleece, but flannel or felt will also work nicely)
Pellon Wonder Under
Coordinating thread

Cut the main grey body pieces and the ears. Before cutting the rest of the pieces, you'll want to iron on the Pellon Wonder Under to the fabric. You'll need the Wonder Under for the tummy, eyes, nose, and what I call the "tummy marks." It's easiest to draw your design onto the paper first and then to cut out your fabric.

Carefully, peel the paper backing off the pieces you've cut out and arrange them on one of the main body pieces.

Here I'm peeling the paper backing, but leaving the adhesive behind.

Arrange the pieces on the body and iron in place. After this is done, make sure the pieces permanently stay in place by stitching around the perimeter of each piece.

To attach the ears, arrange them like the following picture...

The ears should by filled with a little stuffing. Sandwich the ears like so between the two body pieces and stitch around the border, stitching through the ears. Leave about a 3 inch opening at the bottom of you pillow so you can stuff it.

Stuff your pillow. After the pillow is filled, hand stitch the opening closed.