Skip to Content

Patchwork stuffed turtle sewing pattern

Patchwork stuffed turtle sewing pattern

How cute is this mega turtle floor pillow! I originally sewed & wrote this post as a part of Betz White’s sewing collective, so I received a copy of the book it’s in for free- I jumped at the chance to sew up this happy Patchwork stuffed turtle sewing pattern. I’ve since gifted it this past Christmas and thought it was time to share the project here too.

gift sewing book

Hexie the Turtle Floor pillow is a pattern from Betz’s book, Present Perfect.

If you like this project check out these other posts while you’re here!

Pin this Patchwork stuffed turtle sewing pattern for later using this link or collage image:

turtle floor pillow sewing pattern

Patchwork stuffed turtle sewing pattern

I am an inexperienced quilter (see my first and recent second quilts) but I love handmade toys and softies so I took a chance on trying it. Reading is one of my son’s favorite things to do, so he immediately grabbed a book out and tested it out. He was not thrilled when I told him I’d made it for someone else – I think there will definitely be another turtle on my sewing room table soon.

I picked a mix of cheery brights, all from Jo-Ann Fabrics. Mixing this many prints really stresses me out – I think ordering cuts all from the same collection would have made my life a lot easier!

I love sewing books, and there are lots of unique, fun ideas for sewing up gifts in this one. Hexie has a buddy pattern in the book too – a tiny little hexagon turtle – that would make a perfect stocking stuffer.

Sometimes when I make projects from  books, I find myself missing the full photographs and large diagrams that you find in blog tutorials but this pattern was very easy to follow and had plenty of diagrams where they were needed. I love that the book has full-size pattern pieces (and an envelope to keep them in) so I could just easily trace instead of wrangling my printer’s copy function to blow them up.

For a size reference, my son is 2.5 in these pictures and wears 4T clothes; the turtle fits him well with room to spare. This would make a lovely baby gift too – it would be so fun to take pictures of a child on it as they grew each month and year!

Like I said, I am a beginner quilter, but I had no problem piecing the hexagon top. I used my rotary cutter and rulers to make sure all the cuts were precise, and then basted each joining seam between the triangles before I sewed the entire side. .It was much easier to seam rip an inch or two and make sure that everything lined up nicely. It surprised me how easily the top came together, I was thinking it would be much more challenging!

One change I made was adding in an extra color on the shell – the hot pink is a bonus instead of using more of the turtle’s body fabric as the pattern directed. I love bright colors and wanted to tie in all the colors from the floral print. Once I had the entire top pieced, I just stitched in the ditch, following all the seams. To quilt the back pocket, I simple did diagonal lines going both ways, creating diamonds. This is the quilting pattern the book example used too, and I think it’s perfect since it subtly mimics a turtle’s shell.

Another change I made was in the tiny details. The pattern calls for a decorative button on the top of the shell and two for the eyes, but buttons seemed like a bad choice for the recipient, who is just barely 2. Instead, I used English paper piecing to make three tiny hexagons and appliquéd them on.

The quilting and interfacing make the finished product feel and look really professional but the stuffing and soft cotton keep it huggable.

I loved the idea of a floor pillow so much, I designed my free dump truck pillow after making this one! Everything is more fun extra big or extra small, don’t you agree?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Bonnie Butler

Tuesday 22nd of March 2022

Hexie the Floor Pillow. Have been trying to find the pattern for this but no luck. Can you tell me how I can purchase the pattern. Thanks Bonnie Butler

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Saturday 2nd of April 2022

Hi Bonnie! The pattern is in the book :) You can check your library or order it online- https://amzn.to/3u1ejJQ

Kristy

Friday 22nd of January 2016

Oh, I love him! Sooooo cute!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Tuesday 26th of January 2016

Thanks Kristy!!

Jennie

Friday 22nd of January 2016

Stephanie, stop telling people you are an inexperienced quilter. You are a quilter. This turtle pillow is adorable, and obviously made by someone who has skills.

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Tuesday 26th of January 2016

I am inexperienced, this was probably the fourth quilted project I have made! I wanted people to know they didn't have to know what they are doing to make this :) :)

Reece

Thursday 21st of January 2016

Oh wow! It is so adorable! I know what you mean about mixing prints, it's so nerve wracking but always seems to work out, and certainly did in your case. It look like a great book with a variety of projects too!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Thursday 21st of January 2016

Thanks Reece! You would definitely like the book, you should check it out :)

Pam @Threading My Way

Thursday 21st of January 2016

Look at those perfect points. What an awesome floor pillow, Stephanie.

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Thursday 21st of January 2016

Thanks Pam!! I was very surprised, matching points is not my strong suit :P

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.