Muumade’s The Little Felt Seagull is a sewing pattern & tutorial to make a very iconic seabird, the seagull. The finished Little Felt Seagull measures approximately 11 cm (4 1/4″) high and is about 11.5 cm (4 1/2″) long from its beak to its tail.
‘Seagull’ is actually a common name for a gull. While there are a large variety of these birds, the most common type in North America is the American herring gull. These seagulls are on the large side, with their females measuring around 53-62 cm (21-24 inches) long and males around 60-66 cm (24–26 inches) long. Their bodies change in color depending on the season. The appearance in the summer of a breeding adult of this type of gull is what I associate most with the stereotypical image of a seagull: They are mostly white, with a light grey back and wings, which have black wingtips that are adorned with white dots. Their legs are pale pink, and their beak and eyes are yellow. Here is an interesting site that allows you to compare different gull species. Across the ocean, the European herring gull is the most common type of gull throughout the northern and western coasts of Europe. It is similar in size and appearance to its American counterpart, although there are differences.
I designed the Little Felt Seagull mostly based on the above-mentioned characteristics of seagulls, including its white body and light grey wings with black tips. However, I chose yellow for its legs, since I like the look of the Yellow-legged gull with its brightly colored legs. If you prefer the look of the herring gulls, you can use pale pink felt for its legs. In fact, please feel free to change the color of any part of the Little Felt Seagull to create the type of gull that you like most!
As you may have noticed in the photos of the Little Felt Seagull, it has long skinny legs, just like a real one! To be honest, I was tempted to make those legs a bit shorter to give the stuffed animal more stability. But, I decided to give it its iconic wiry legs in the end. As a consequence, please don’t be alarmed if your bird does not stand right away. In order for your seagull to stand on its long legs, you may need to adjust the distribution of weight inside its body, as well as the positioning and angle of its legs and feet. (And, no worries! I explain when and how to fine-tune the balance of your seagull in the sewing instructions.) Once you find a balanced position, your felt seagull will stand upright and proud, just like the real ones we often see on seaside rocks!
Lastly, no seafolk should be without the warm protection of a beanie! A beanie is essentially a brimless knit cap, designed to keep the wearer warm in cold weather. Even though it is not clear when the term “fisherman beanie” started to appear, it is commonly used in today’s fashion industry to refer to a specific kind of knit cap. It is a cap which is simple in design, snugly fit, and has a folded edge that goes down to right above the ears.
This ‘knit’ cap is optional for your Little Felt Seagull, but I must say that it adds a nice touch of color and personality to the bird!
This download item is available from my online shop, muumade.etsy.com. You can also click on any item photo above to go to the product page and download the instructions instantly upon purchase.
You may also be interested in other sea-themed animals from my collection for your future DIY craft projects:
