Designed and Released in 2026
The first sea creature plushie for The Rustic Horseshoe!
There are endless creative paths you can take when making your Savvy Sea Turtle!
This pattern has some options, and the options you choose will determine the skill level and time commitment for this project. You can make this very basic for a relatively “quick” and easy project or you can pile on the applique, embellishments and other options for a very detailed, and likely challenging, project.
Need some inspiration? Check out the turtles I made and all the creative, fun and awesome turtles the pattern testers made below!
Also, I created this video to help you navigate the options in the pattern and what decisions you need to make before beginning your project: Planning Your Turtle Video
Includes:
Full Size Templates
Applique Shell Option
Two Nostril Options
Applique Spots Option
Easy to Follow Bite-Size Instructions
Photos Accompany Each Step
A separate premium add-on Video Tutorial is available for purchase.
If you need the Project Planner PDF, you’ll find it at the bottom of this page.
Skill Level: Intermediate - Advanced
with Adventurous Beginner Variation
Skills and Techniques Used
- Fundamental Sewing Basics
- Sewing Moderate and tight Curves
- Clipping Curved Seams
- Attaching Safety Eyes
- Hand Sewing (to close opening plus to add optional eyelids)
- Stuffing
- Quilting (topstitching though two layers) *optional, but recommended
- Sewing Thick Seams (methods to reduce thickness are provided)
- French Knot (optional, nostrils)
- Applique (optional)
Photo Gallery
Materials and Tools Needed
Fabrics suggested: quilting cotton, minky, corduroy, fleece, repurposed clothing, etc. Keep in mind the layers create bulky seams, choose your fabrics accordingly.
- 14″ wide by 15″ long piece of fabric for the Head and Gussets
- 18″ wide by 30″ long piece of fabric for top shell base
- 15″ wide by 14″ long piece of fabric for Under Body
- 28″ wide by 14″ long piece of fabric for Under Shell
- 22″ wide by 26″ long piece of fabric for flippers and tail
- 36″ wide x 22″ long piece of ByAnnie’s Soft and Stable, batting, or felt for Top Shell, Under Shell and Flippers
- 18″ wide by 30″ long piece of fabric for Scute applique (shapes on shell) *optional
- 1/2 skein black embroidery floss for nostrils *optional
- ~16-18 oz fiber filling
- 1 pair 30mm, 24mm, or 20mm safety bolted eyes (or make them from fabric) *30mm shown
- Notions: scissors, thread, sewing machine, etc.
Pattern Testers' Savvy Sea Turtle Gallery - General
Wowza! I absolutely love seeing a new design brought to life by a variety of makers! Pattern 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!
They test with only the written/photo tutorial and are not provided the video tutorial during testing.
Makers joined in the pattern testing from around the globe, from several states within the USA to England, Australia, South Africa, Canada, Germany and South India!
Pattern testers used a variety of fabrics, including: cotton, fleece, minky, corduroy, denim, faux fur, quilting cuddle, repurposed blouse, repurposed quilts, repurposed jacket, lycra (backed), faux suede, faux leather, cotton drill, upholstery velvet, dot minky, boucle, repurposed sweatshirt, velboa, net sequins, etc.
Some regretted their choice of fabrics due to how thick the seams can get, but noted that it was worth it in the end!
Testers made their turtles with standard plastic safety eyes, stuffed fabric eyes and one had painted kukui nuts for the eyes.
Testers’ skill levels ranged from 1-5 (novice beginner to very advanced). Four of the pattern testers created their turtles by sewing entirely by hand.
Have fun and let your creativity drive you! You’ll even find a chocolate cake themed turtle! I’d love to see your finished turtle! You can share your makes in my Facebook Group or even email them to me.
Pattern Testers' Savvy Sea Turtle Gallery - Top Shell View
To really get the best understanding of these awesome turtles, you need to see them from different angles…here is the top view! You have a variety of options and are only limited by your creativity. You’ll see turtles made without the shell rim, made with and without quilting, applique scutes (hexagon shapes on shell), hearts (design your own), embroidery, quilt blocks, repurposed quilts and frosting. One tester placed her handmade hearts on the shell with snaps so they could be moved around.
Look at Those Tummies!
Once again, to really appreciate these turtles, you need to see them at all angles. The underside shell can be quilted, embroidered, embellished, etc. One tester added a zipper pocket at the seam. Another tester used a repurposed puffer vest and incorporated the pockets from the vest.
Why Make a Savvy Sea Turtle?
Inspires active play and imagination.
Makes a memorable and fun gift.
I’m totally embellishing my turtle!
A memory turtle is so much more unique than a memory bear!
You will tap into your own creativity when you make it.
Sewing and crafting are therapeutic.
Thoughtful gift.
Wonderful addition to any toy room.
Sell finished turtles 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.
Grab the Project Planner PDF!
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!