Very Hungry Caterpillar Felt Board

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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. Michele

    Your felt story of “The Hungry Caterpillar” is beautiful. I would love the pdf pattern. Thanks so much!

    Reply ↓
    1. Sandra Stone

      Hi LOVE your work, could you pls send me the pdf file/patterns for this? Also, do you sell your work? Pls email me. I’m very interested. Thanks!

      Reply ↓
  3. Linda McGoey

    I am wondering if you would be kind enough to send your PDF patterns and/or templates. I have several pages that I would like to make for my great-grandaughter. If you need additional information let me know.

    Thank you!!

    Linda

    Reply ↓
  4. Shannan Carothers

    Could we please have a copy of your wonderful pattern. I have three grandbabys having birthdays in November ,January and February who would love these. Than you for shareing

    Reply ↓
  5. Rachel

    My daughter is getting this book for her birthday. I would love to give her this felt board with it! Could I have the PDF please?

    Reply ↓
  9. Tera Daniels

    I would love this pattern my little boy just seen it and went nuts he told me all about the story he learned at school thanks!! Super cute!!

    Reply ↓
  11. Carrie

    This is so beautiful! Thank you so much for your generosity with the patterns. Think I’d like to try it. Could you send the pattern to me?

    Reply ↓
  12. Megan

    This is amazing! I would love the PDF template to make one for my daughter for Christmas 🙂 Thank you so much!

    Reply ↓
  16. Eva Jutras

    My son loves this book right now and I would love to have a copy of the PDF. Thank you so much for sharing all your patterns – your work is beautiful.

    Reply ↓
  17. jan

    I have enjoyed your site so much and am going to try some of your patterns for my grandson. I would really appreciate it if you would send me your pattern of the hungry hungry caterpillar. Thank you

    Reply ↓
  18. Val Allen

    Hi Stephanie ….. I want to thank you for your wonderful Quiet Book pages and your generosity in sharing how to make them. I made a book for one of my grandsons two years ago, but your pages have just got me going again and inspired me to make a felt one for my next youngest grandson, using some of your brilliant ideas. So a BIG Thank You from a Nanna in Derbyshire UK. I would really appreciate the pdf you have for the Very Hungry Caterpillar, if it is still available.
    You are a very inspiring and generous young mum, Thanks again …. Val Allen

    Reply ↓
  20. Denise :)

    I would *so* love a copy of the templates you used for this — I have 3 grands and one on the way, and The Hungry Caterpillar is a standard go-to book for our reading times! Thanks so much — you’ve done *such* a darling job with this!! 🙂

    Reply ↓
  22. stephanie

    This is absolutely amazing!! My 18 month old really loves TVHC right now and I would love to get this pattern you created for this, especially when we go on vacation. If you could send over the PDF we would be so grateful!

    Reply ↓

  23. Pingback: felt boards for kids | thehandcraftedstory.com

  24. Dorothy

    When our 13-month-old granddaughter sits still for more than a minute, she is showing interest in the Eric Carle books that we read to her Dad and uncles.
    I would appreciate the pdf of the patterns for The Very Hungry Caterpillar so I can make this lovely felt board for her.

    Thank you for sharing!

    Reply ↓
  25. AppleTan

    Hi Steph
    My name is Apple. I am from Brunei Darussalam.
    I am interested in your pdf. Would you kindly send it thru my email please.
    thanks much! I loved your caterpillar and butterfly much!!
    cheers x

    Reply ↓
  27. Denise

    Hi Stephanie

    this is beautiful! i would love a copy of your pdf pattern. I want to make one for my neice is birthday in a couple months. she will love it! 🙂

    Reply ↓
  28. Rachel

    Thank you for all of the wonderful ideas. This would be a great gift for my grand children! May I have a copy of the pdf pattern?

    Reply ↓
  29. Tatiana

    Hello, I’ve just found your blog, it’s really amazing! Can you please send me the Hungry Catterpillar pdf pattern?Thanks for sharing!

    Reply ↓
  30. Katie

    Hi Stephanie,

    I am crazy about this felt board and all of your quiet book pages! I can’t wait to get started creating some of these pages for my niece! Would you mind sending me a copy of the pdf pattern, please? Thank you!

    Reply ↓
  35. Amy Brentnall

    Hi, I would love a PDF copy of this amazing project! Being a primary school teacher and a new mum if love to make this to match the book for her first birthday. Thank you

    Reply ↓
  36. Taniya P.

    My daughter love ” Very Hungry Caterpillar” book so much. May I have the pdf pattern, please? Thank you for your sharing.

    Reply ↓
  39. Elizabeth

    Hello, Your pattern is brilliant!!! My little girl LOVES this story. Please could I have a PDF? Thank you xx

    Reply ↓
  42. Katy

    I LOVE the hungry caterpillar and this felt board! May I please have the PDF pattern? Happy New Year! I love, love, love your blog!

    Reply ↓
  45. Cheryl

    You did an amazing job! I would love the PDF — this would make a perfect gift for a new little one I know! Thank you!

    Reply ↓
  46. Diane Sanderson

    Stephanie, I was, to put it plainly, floored when I read this tutorial on the Very Hungry Caterpillar. My grandson would absolutely love this and I would appreciate if you would send a copy of the PDF pattern to me. Thank you, so much, for your wonderful blog. Please keep it coming! Diane S.

    Reply ↓
  47. Miss Karen

    Wow! How can I resist making this project when you’ve held my hand every step of the way? Please send me the PDF. Thank you for sharing your truly talented perspective with the rest of us! Many blessings.

    Reply ↓
  49. MJ

    Wow, this is simply amazing! Especially in the photo with your son where the perspective shows just how tiny that detail work really is! I would love to make a similar project for my library story-time if you are still sending out the PDF. Thanks so much.

    Reply ↓

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