Designed and Released in 2023
Oh, the magic of dragons! You will release any bottled up creativity with this guy. The variety of options will spark plenty of ideas and you won’t want to make just one dragon (trust me, I had to hold myself back!).
The best thing about making a dragon? Well, there is no wrong way to make one! You can make one with many spikes or no spikes. One set of wings or even double wings! Place the horns any way you’d like or leave them off. No color is too wild or even too dull for a dragon. Seriously…that is just the tip of the iceberg.
You know what? Leave everything off and this dragon is an adorable (incidental) brontosaurus.
While I kept myself dialed in and didn’t go down the rabbit hole of making all the spike/fin/horn options I had in mind, there are still plenty of options in this pattern. As with most of my patterns, there are options that cater to someone more on the beginner side and options for the intermediate to advanced sewist.
There are a lot of pattern pieces, which can be overwhelming…choose your options and take it step by step and you’ll be pleased with your own unique dragon.
Includes:
Full Size Templates
Two Different Ear Shapes
Two Different Wing Options
Two Hand/Feet Options
Three Sewn Spike Options
How to Use Trim and Feathers as Spikes
Two Nostril Options
Two Horn Options (one is poseable!)
Nose Spike
Armature or No Armature
Easy to Follow Bite-Size Instructions
Photos Accompany Each Step
Skill Level - Confident Beginner with Intermediate Options
Skills and Techniques Used
- Fundamental Sewing Basics
- Sewing Tight Curves
- Clipping Curved Seams
- Sewing Opposing Curves
- Machine Applique (optional for markings)
- Attaching Safety Eyes
- Hand Sewing (to close seams)
- Hand Applique (to attach optional eyelids and some spike, horn and nostril options)
- Soft Sculpting (to shape sculpted feet/hands, optional)
- Applying Wire or Lock Joint Armature (optional)
Photo Gallery
Materials and Tools Needed
- 2/3 yard minky for main body (alternative fabrics: fleece, quality cotton, repurposed clothing, etc)
- 8″ x 8″ of minky for horns (above alt. fabrics)
- 8″ x 8″ of minky for foot pads (above alt. fabrics)
- 22″ x 22″ of minky for belly & bum (above alt. fabrics)
- 8″ x 8″ of minky for claws/talons (previous alt. fabrics + felt)
- 12″ x 20″ of minky for spikes (prev. alt. fabrics) OR 2 yards trim
- 8″ x 15″ Pellon Flex Foam for wing support (alt. batting/felt)
- 8″ x 8″ heavy interfacing, felt or batting for ears
- 6″ x 20″ heavy interfacing, felt or batting for spikes
- ~20 oz fiber filling
- 1 pair 30mm Safety Eyes (alt 20mm or 24mm will work, too)
- Optional: 4 Chenille stems for wings + 3 stems for talons
- Optional: 1/2 skein embroidery floss for tummy bands & horns
- Optional: ~20 chenille stems for individual leaf spikes
- Optional: 1 pair false eyelashes (the kind people wear)
- Notions: scissors, thread, sewing machine (or hand sew)
Pattern Testers' Debonair Dragon (and Dino) Gallery
I get so excited when a pattern has reached the testing phase. It is such a joy to see what everyone makes, employing their creativity to bring it to life. The testers provide the polish to the pattern and tutorial. They give of their valuable time and talents and I appreciate them immensely! A huge thank you to each one of them!
Pattern testers used a variety of fabrics, including: minky, cotton, fleece, repurposed clothing, repurposed curtains, flip sequin fabric, faux fur, velvet, velour, stretch vinyl, lace, silk crepe, sherpa, metallic lycra, foil polyester, felt, satin and suede…whew…see, you can really get creative (especially with the spikes, wings and horns).
Some testers made multiple dragons/dinosaurs and tried different options.
One tester applied embellishments with machine embroidery. One made a whole basket of fruit themed dragons. How about that super hero themed one! Check out those lace wings…next level! Have fun and get creative!
Testers used plastic safety eyes, embroidered eyes and fabric eyes.
Pattern testers’ skill level ranged from beginner to advanced/professional. Three testers sewed their dragons entirely by hand.
Have fun and let your creativity drive you! I’d love to see your finished dragon/dino! You can share your makes in my Facebook Group or even email them to me.
Why Make a Debonair Dragon?
Heirloom quality toy.
Inspires active play and imagination.
Makes a memorable and fun gift.
A memory dragon is cooler than a memory bear.
You will tap into your own creativity when you make it.
Sewing and crafting are therapeutic.
Great décor in a nursery.
Wonderful addition to any toy room.
Fun décor in your living room.
Sell finished dragon at handmade markets.
You’ll love watching it come to life as you make it.
You’re never too old to cuddle a soft toy…yes, dragons are easy to cuddle.
Do you believe in magic?
It is difficult to accurately describe the skill level needed for each project as the skill level itself can be quite subjective. Each traditional skill level has a wide spectrum of ability associated with it. I have tried to assign a general skill level to each pattern, however, please review specific techniques used in the pattern to determine if it is a good fit for you to try. Keep in mind I write my tutorials in bite-sized easy to follow steps, each accompanied with photos.
I aim to have each pattern attainable for a confident beginner and some have variations that may be more advanced, but they are optional. You’ll be provided with all the instructions, tips and material list to create a plush toy just like those pictured in the tutorial…I keep nothing secret. Each pattern and tutorial provides the blueprint for you to make it just like I have. An easy to make pattern doesn’t have to be simplistic looking…it can look amazing!