Very Hungry Caterpillar Felt Board

1,109 Replies

I’ve been quiet here on the blog while working on a large sewing project, though I’ve been posting regular updates on the Facebook page. I took a break from quiet book sewing to make a birthday present for one of Jax’s friends who was turning 2 years old. His friend adores all of Eric Carle’s books and was planning a Very Hungry Caterpillar themed party.

I’ve been itching to try my hand at making a felt version of all the pretty food featured in that book, and I was excited to finally have the perfect reason to! I knew they would appreciate a handmade gift, so two weeks before the party, I started tackling the project.

The felt items were made using only s felt from my scrap bags (I sort all my felt scraps by color and store them in freezer bags) with the exception of the black background felt. I would have preferred to have a white background like the book, but I was purchasing  felt board to save time and money, and white wasn’t an option. (You could make your own felt board by covering a blank art canvas with flannel fabric.) I purchased this black felt board. It comes in green and purple, but I wanted to easily match the background to a felt color, so I chose black. The colors really pop on it!

Because so much detail went into each piece, they were all heavy and wouldn’t stick to the board without the help of Velcro. I used Snag-Free Velcro so they wouldn’t snag each other when tucked away together in their pocket. Each item was sew to a base piece of black felt, trimmed to size, then backed with another piece of black felt with some Velcro sewn to it. I sewed to backings on by hand with a back stitch, only going through the two black layers of felt so the stitches wouldn’t show on the front.

The Pattern
I’m afraid that I can’t post a pattern for this project here on my blog because I want to respect Eric Carle’s copyright. He does have a coloring sheet you could enlarge and use to make your own set. However, I have a PDF of all the sketches I did for my set, and I’d be happy to send it on to any of you lovely friends who would like to have it for your personal use. Please leave a comment below using the blog’s comment form (not the Facebook comment form – I don’t get notified of those!) In the email field, include the address you’d like me to send the PDF link to. I’ll do my best to send you an email within a day or two with the link.

Here is a quick run-down of how I made each item:

Fruits 1 – 5: For the sets of fruits the caterpillar starts out eating, I used rectangles of black felt as the background of each group instead of having tiny, separate fruits and numbers that would get lost. I sewed the fruits down to the background using back stitch and 2 strands of floss. For the stems, I used all 6 strands of floss: I made a knot in the end of my floss and came up from the back. I tied another knot flush against the felt to hold it in place, then made a knot at the end of the stem and cut of the rest. For some of the stems I went back down into the felt after the top knot to hold them in a certain position. Leaves were sewn down with a line of back stitch along the vein. For the strawberry tops, I made an x-shaped stitch in the center before doing the stem. The numbers are sewn on with back stitch down the center. I stitched little circles and open circles on the oranges to make the navels. I sewed all the rectangles to backing pieces with Velcro using the sewing machine to save time.

     

[img src=”http://www.imagineourlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/oranges.jpg” w=”600″ h=”200″]

The Very Hungry Caterpillar: I tackled this guy first, as he is the star of the show. The caterpillar and the butterfly were the only ones I used yellow felt as the background for sewing down all the details (I still used black for the back side with the Velcro.) I cut his segments out of various colors of green and blue. The color variations are more subtle in the book, but I was working with what I had. Each segment is back stitched down. You may need to trim them up to get them just right – different felt stretches different amounts – especially with little, tiny pieces. for the feet and antennae, I used 3 layers of felt to make them stiff and blanket stitched round the edges.

The fuzzy fringe along the caterpillar’s back was the most annoying part of the whole project, but I didn’t want to leave it out! I made each little fringe the same way I did the fruit stems, but without the knot at the end: knot the floss, go through the back of the caterpillar (the yellow piece only), make another knot, then cut off and repeat. I alternated red and aqua blue, then went back and spread out the strands and gave him a “hair cut” so they were all even. To finish him off, I sandwiched the feet and antennae between the front piece and the black back piece with Velcro and sewed them together.

Leaf: I back stitched around the outside and down the center vein, then made a stem and sewed on the backing.

The Beautiful Butterfly: I took liberties when translating the butterfly from the book to a felt design, so you could certainly “wing it”! In fact, I only used my computer sketch for the basic shape, and ended up cutting out most of the pieces by hand. (I later drew them on the computer, so they are included in my PDF sketches.) Everything is back stitched down except the tiny felt circles – I have French knots in the center of those.  I added two layers of yellow to his skinny body to add strength before sewing on the head. His face is satin stitched on and his legs and antennae are done the way I made the fruit stems. His arms are long stitches I added at the end. When he was all decorated,  I cut out a backing of black felt to match, added Velcro and back stitched it on, only going through the yellow layer.

All the junk food items are sewn down to black felt then trimmed to size. The backs are all done the same: I cut out black felt to fit the finished item, sewed on Velcro, then back stitched it to the front, only going through the two black layers.

Chocolate Cake: I sewed the top and layer on, plus some dark brown back stitch to show the corner of the cake. I made light brown stitches to add texture to the top and then sewed the cherry on.

Ice Cream: I back stitched a grid design on the cone, then sewed around the edge of the ice cream scoop.

Pickle: After sewing it down, I made lines of little dashed stitches to add the bumpy texture then added a stem.

Cheese: I sewed a strip of dark yellow down the side to match the book, then sewed around the edges, I didn’t bother to cut out the holes in the cheese in the black felt.

Salami: After sewing down the body of the salami and the pink ends, I sewed down little scraps and made white stitches to match the book. I stitched a bit of brown thread to the “tied” end and tied it in a knot.

Lollipop: I sewed down the middle of a long strip of brown felt to make the stick. I took a long strip of yellow with a point at one end and sewed it down to the blue circle (starting with the tapered end in the center) in a spiral, then sewed down the exposed edges of the blue circle.

Pie Slice: The pie crust is sewn down around the edges, except for the extra crust along the top-back of the slice. I made a basting stitch that I pulled tight to give it a little ruffle. The pie filling is sewn down with scrap circles in pinks and reds to make the cherries.

Sausage: The sausage is simply sewn down around the edges with little brown ties added on to each end like the salami.

Cupcake: I cut out the top of the cupcake liner using pinking shears to give it a zigzag. I sewed down the cupcake, then sewed down the cupcake liner using vertical lines of back stitch.

Watermelon Slice: The watermelon is sewn down around the edges. The seeds I cut by hand (very hard to do because they are so tiny. Use sharp, micro-tip scissors!) the sewn down with a few stitches running vertically down the middle.

   

Because this felt set is a gift and I went with a 12″ x 12″ travel size felt board, I wanted to sew a quick case for it. I had limited time – just a few hours on on Saturday – so I don’t have many photos to the process, but I’ll do my best to explain it.

I made the case so it could be zipped shut for travel or storage, opened flat or hung from a door knob at toddler height for play time. I used Eric Carle fabric in Very Hungry Caterpillar white/green and Grouchy Ladybug Grass green/lime. I already had a 36″ white separating zipper and clear vinyl. I purchased a pack of fusible fleece.

The finished size of the case when unfolded is 14″ wide by 28″ high (with the 12″ square felt board.) I cut rectangles out of both fabrics and the fusible fleece that were 15″ x 29″. I ironed the fusible fleece to the back of the green liner fabric according to the instructions. I cut a 14″ x 7″ rectangle of vinyl for the pocket. I sewed ribbon over the sharp upper edge of the vinyl, but it would be easiest to just use some bias tape. (I didn’t have any on hand.) I sewed the pocket down to the liner/fleece piece with a regular stitch followed by a zigzag to cover the sharp edges. I also divided it into a 4.5″ pocket and left the rest a large pocket for the book and bigger pieces.

 

I cut strips of the green fabric and lined them with the fusible fleece before making them into 1″ wide straps. There are a zillion ways to make straps. I started with a 2″ width, ironed .5″ edges in on each side, folded it in half and pressed, then sewed down each side and the ends.

For the felt board, I sewed down two 11″ strips of black elastic. (See the photo at the top for an example.) I folded the ends of mine under (towards the center of the case) and sewed them with a zigzag on the machine. It is probably easiest if you sew the elastic on by hand after finishing the zipper so you don’t have to deal with the elastic folding your fabric in.

The zipper is the hardest part to explain – especially without photos. You may need to search around for zipper tutorials before tackling it. I drew some sketches of the steps I took. I used a zipper foot when sewing the zipper on.

Here is the finished case when closed!

 

I hope you enjoyed reading about this project! I had so much fun doing it, and I was very proud to hand it off to its new owner. If you create a felt board case or Very Hungry Caterpillar felt set of your own, let me know! I’d love to see it…

1,109 thoughts on “Very Hungry Caterpillar Felt Board”

  1. Tracey

    This is fantastic. If it’s still available, I would love the pdf to try my hand at making one for my daughter. Thanks for sharing your creativity.

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  2. Crystal

    I love your “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” felt pieces! I would love to receive a pdf of your patterns as this would be most helpful for a project that I am working on. Thank you!

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  3. Megan

    Hi there, I absolutely love your site and your free patterns are great! I would love to be able to get your ‘Hungry Caterpillar’ pattern PDF mailed to me if it’s not too much trouble. Thank so much for taking the time to share your beautiful patterns with us!

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  5. Rowena

    Absolutely wonderful. I would love to make a set for my daycare children. I would really appreciate a copy of the pattern. It looks absolutely beautiful!

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  6. Heather

    I have made several of your pages, 3 of each for my 3 youngest boys!! They love them! I would love to make this one for them!! Could you please send me the PDF!! Thank you!! Love your quiet pages!!!!

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  7. Jessica

    can you please email me this pattern? you are SO very creative! thank you for sharing!

    Reply ↓
  8. María

    wow!!! I just can say that you´re doing an incredible job!!! YOU´RE FANTASTIC!! I would love a copy of your PDF I want make this for my son! thank you so so much!

    Reply ↓
  9. Steph B.

    WOW I have just discovered your site and have spent hours looking at all these beautiful books/pages. I’m so impressed. I have great nieces that need something… I’m interested in trying this Very Hungry Caterpillar project. I’d love the pdf of your plan drawings. Thanks so much for posting all these beautiful projects you have done!!

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  12. Erica Tangen

    I would love the pdf of very hungry caterpillar.. My daycare kids love that story and love doing felt boards.. Thanks!!

    Reply ↓
  13. Amanda

    Would love a copy of the Pdf for this please! Thank you for all the amazing quiet book pages. Love your work.

    Reply ↓
  14. Skye Bannan

    I would love a copy of the hungry caterpillar felt “bag” pattern if possible please. Its a favourite of ours end I would love to make it up for my son dash 14mths.

    Reply ↓
  15. Brigitte

    Hello, I would like to have the pdf. I want to create this books for children with special needs. Thank you

    Reply ↓
  16. Janita Collett

    I love this felt book and would really appreciate the PDF for it thanks. I work in Childcare and know a few munchkins who would love it.

    Reply ↓
  17. Emily Croce

    Unbelievable! You have such creativity and talent! I wish I had a friend like you to craft with nearby! If you don’t mind, I would also love the PDF. Thanks in advance!

    Reply ↓
  18. Charlotte

    You do lovely work . I would love to have the pdf of the Hungry Caterpillar. Thank you.

    Reply ↓
  19. Marie

    Hi,

    Could you send me the pattern for making your beautifull playmat.
    My son is in a classeroom who have the little caterpillar as hero and I love to make it for him.
    Have a good day,
    Marie from france

    Reply ↓
  20. Denae

    would love a copy of your PDF… my little girl loves hungry caterpillar…. I made her a quilt using the hungry caterpillar fabric…. Thank you so much in advance

    Reply ↓
  23. joan

    I have made two quiet books for my two grandsons using your patterns. (12 pages for each) The 2 year old loves his. The 1 year old will get his for his birthday. The books are amazing. And the adults play with them as much as the kids!
    I need another project, so I would love the caterpillar PDF to make them for Christmas. Thank you so much!

    Reply ↓
  24. Being Mom

    My daughter is very hungry caterpillar fan . Could you please email me the PDF pattern for this.

    Reply ↓
  26. jamie

    I’m so glad I found your site….I’ve been searching for the right quiet book to start with and this is the one! We love reading and are always looking for new ways to enjoy our favorites. I’d love the PDF file if you can spare the time. Thanks!

    Reply ↓
  27. Danielle Clark

    You are so very, VERY talented! I would love to have the link to your PDF pattern so I can attempt to make this lovely creation for my 20 month old! Thank you!!! Keep creating!

    Reply ↓
  28. Emily

    Hi! I just came across this and would love the pdf. I am a pre-k teacher and this would be awesome for the classroom! I’ve been meaning to try and make something similiar and have been dreading making a pattern, etc since I am new to sewing. Thanks in advance!

    Reply ↓
  29. Kristi Gooddine

    Im not sure if you would see this but I would love for you to email ne any patterns for very hungry caterpillar. It is the theme for my daughters first bday and I think the kids wouldlove to play with it!

    Reply ↓
  31. Donna

    I absolutely love the work that you produce! How marvellously gifted you are! If it is still available, I would love a copy of that pdf.

    Reply ↓
  32. Maybelle

    I really would love to have a copy of your pdf pattern for this. I am trying to make this as a gift for my nephew’s 2nd birthday. Thank you very much.

    Reply ↓
  33. Ashley

    Thank you for posting all your creative work! Please send me the PDF pattern. I would love to have this activity for my pre-school speech therapy students.

    Reply ↓
  34. Shelly

    Hi,
    Thank you so much for your amazing blog and free ideas/patterns!! I would really appreciate the PDF for the hungry caterpillar if possible. I’m making my first quiet book and my daughter loves this story 🙂 I’m so excited to get started!!!
    Thanks!
    Shelly

    Reply ↓
  35. Wendy

    I’m just getting started on some felt projects for my kids and would love the pdf of your sketches for this one. Thanks!

    Reply ↓
  36. Chris

    My gracious goodness! You are ONE TALENTED LADY!!! What AMAZING ideas for quiet book pages!!! I plan on trying out some of these ideas for a 2nd birthday gift for our granddaughter! I would love your PDFs of The Very Hungry Caterpillar pieces. Sounds like it would be a GREAT Christmas gift for her! Thank you in advance.

    Reply ↓

  37. Pingback: 60+ Play Ideas Based On The Very Hungry Caterpillar Book By Eric Carle | PowerfulMothering.com

  38. ang

    This is wonderful!! my son is in love with the very hungry caterpillar!! if you still are giving out the pattern i would love one to make for my son!! thanks so much in advance!! 🙂

    Reply ↓
  40. Alicia

    Hi! I recently found your blog and LOVE all your creations. I can’t wait to get started on a few of my own. I am interested in this pattern if you are still sending it out. This was one of my absolute favorite books as a kid and I would love to make it for my daughter. Thank you so much! I am in love with the pictures you have posted of the animals/africa map you are working on! Can’t wait to see the finished product!

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  41. rebecca

    I absolutely love your quiet book pages! I am currently working on the matchng sock page. It is so much fun! I don’t know if this pattern is still available but I would love to make this set of pages too! Please let me knwo if you are able to send it to me. Thank you for sharing your patterns with so many of us on line. You have a talent!

    Reply ↓
  42. Clarisa

    I love this pattern! I’d love the PDF so I can make this for my daughter and niece’s quiet books! You have such amazing ideas, thank you for all the inspiration.

    Reply ↓
  43. Amanda

    I would also love a pattern if you have one 🙂 I can’t wait to get started on my quiet book too!

    Reply ↓
  44. Tina

    I would love to get this pattern for my son and daughter. Your site is fantastic and has so much for helping me to create thing to help my children learn while having fun!!!

    Reply ↓
  47. Fiona Gillham

    I have 5 year old son with Autism, this is his favourite story. This is a fantastic idea, for the visual learner. I would love a PDF so I can have a go at makeing this for him.

    Reply ↓
  48. Erin

    I just love your creativity!! I just heard about your site through a friend and now I’m hooked! I would love a PDF of this pattern. My daughter loves this book! This was the theme for her birthday.
    Thank you so much!

    Reply ↓
  49. Cindy

    Hi there,

    Love this little project, you’ve done a wonderful job. If you still have the PDF I would love a copy to make one for my daughter as we are doing a Very Hungry Caterpillar theme for her first birthday in Sept.

    Thanks.

    Reply ↓
  50. Shirley Gilchrist

    I would appreciate a pdf ot the pattern as I’d like to make this for my grandson.

    Your quiet book pages are adorable. It will be hard to narrow down the choices to make for my grandson.

    Thank you so much for sharing them.

    Reply ↓

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