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”

Rachel Ruskowski February 20, 2017 at 01:26

This set looks amazing and I would love a copy of your sketches. Thank you.

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Victoria February 22, 2017 at 18:35

Hello! This is amazing! I can definitely use this is my classroom. Can you please send me the PDF pattern. I would really appreciate it. Thank you so much in advance!

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1. Ingrid April 1, 2017 at 10:15
  
  Hi there
  Your Quiet Book pages are wonderful!
  Could you please send me the PDF pattern for the Very Hungry Caterpillar so I could make one for my grand daughter.
  Many thanks
  Ingrid
  
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Victoria February 23, 2017 at 10:10

This would be a perfect for my classroom. Can you please send me the template? It would be greatly appreciated!

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Diana Bushey March 2, 2017 at 11:02

I would love to make this. If you would be so kind as to send me the PDF, I would be so grateful. Thank you.

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Eileen March 4, 2017 at 10:56

This is amazing, I made a picture with foam pieces but would love to make this interaction one.
Could you please send me the PDF template?

Many Thanks

Eileen

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Fanchette March 4, 2017 at 13:57

my grandson will have a year soon, i made my first quiet book for him. thanks for sharing your ideas. i love eric carle and would be delighted to be able to make this felt board (i love felt). i would appreciate if you could send me the PDF. thanks

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Caroline Woolley March 8, 2017 at 13:13

The hungry caterpillar resource is amazing, would you please send me the template and I will try to make this weekend, will send you a picture of my creation when completed!

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Kellie March 16, 2017 at 15:37

Would love to make the very hungry caterpillar for my expected child. I love your designs and patterns and look forward to making my own quiet book

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Paula Dwyer March 23, 2017 at 13:39

These are beautiful! I would love to make for my grand daughter if you would share your PDF.

Thank yo so much!

Paula

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Zaira March 23, 2017 at 17:55

Cute!!!!

I would appreciate the PDF for my private use.

Thanks,

Z

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Mary March 24, 2017 at 17:43

I have loved so many of your patterns and have gone hog wild sewing (1st grandchild!!!)
I would love your sketches for the Very Hungry Caterpillar.

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Mary March 24, 2017 at 17:44

I just sent my request with a typo in the address.

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Kristy March 26, 2017 at 00:58

I am looking to make this go my son and would love your PDF. Thank you!!!

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Marzena March 27, 2017 at 11:18

Dear Lady, I would like to ask for the pattern for this story. With all due respect, Marzena

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Deanne Phelps March 31, 2017 at 06:00

Hi Stephanie, I’m wondering if you are still emailing the PDF of your caterpillar page? Love your blog! I’ve made two of your pages (Sock and Forest) and I”m onto my third…breakfast page. My son loves them! He’s nearly two. Thanks so much for sharing your creative pages. They’re very appreciated! Deanne

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Socorro Pacheco March 31, 2017 at 15:03

Please send me the pdf I’d love to make this for my little one. thank you!

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Marissa April 1, 2017 at 18:05

This is absolutely amazing! I would be very appreciative if you could send me the PDF so I can make this!

Thank you so much! Your work is incredibly inspiring!

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Cassandra April 3, 2017 at 14:15

Your work is beautiful! May I please have a copy of your PDF of the Very Hungry Caterpillar? My preschoolers will love it. Thank you.

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Youa Lor April 4, 2017 at 01:28

OMG!! love it. Can you send me the PDF template. This is my spring break project.

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Rebecca Brown April 6, 2017 at 20:47

May I ask for the PDF of all the sketches you did for the “Very Hungry Caterpillar Felt Board”? I will be using it for personal use. I have enjoyed looking at and making many of your creations and I love your work. Thank you for being so generous to share with everyone!

With Thanks,
Rebecca Brown

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Olivia April 9, 2017 at 16:33

You did such a beautiful job. Can you please send me a copy of your sketches for this project? Thank you.

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Kristy April 10, 2017 at 01:53

I would love to make this for my little boy. Can you please send me the pattern.

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Aakanksha Mishra April 11, 2017 at 01:28

Dear Stephanie,

Your creativity is amazing. I am planning to do feltboard for my 20 mo old toddler. Could you please provide me the template for The very hungry caterpillar. Thanks

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Jennifer Mosqueda April 11, 2017 at 09:48

This is amazing! Could i please have the
PDF link.

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Barbara April 14, 2017 at 08:18

I would love a PDF template. THANKS SO MUCH!

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Amy April 20, 2017 at 13:10

This is absolutely gorgeous. I would love to make one for my youngest to use on our car trip to Disney this summer. I would appreciate it if you could please email me the PDF. It would save me some much time, and yours is so much better than I could do. Thanks!

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Martie Johnson April 22, 2017 at 12:14

I would like to have the pdf for the hungry caterpillar. Thank you. I have made several of the pages on your site to add to a quiet book I made my grandson when he was first born.

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Megan April 27, 2017 at 11:07

May I please get this pattern? Thank you so much for sharing all your fun works!

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Spiridoula Garoufalis April 27, 2017 at 14:48

Hey Stephanie,

I am making felt board stories for my home and came across your “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Could you please send me the PDF file. I promise, it is for personal use only. I think you did an amazing job with this story!

Thank you kindly,
Spiridoula Garoufalis

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Elizangela Souza May 2, 2017 at 15:42

Boa tarde, amei seu trabalho e a professora de meu filho esta trabalhando esse livro. Quero fazer pra ela usar com os pequenos. Você poderia me enviar o PDF?muito obrigada

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annette May 3, 2017 at 09:43

I love , love , love this!!! you are amazing and what a fun way to retell story. I would love to make this for my 2 granddaughters, would you send me your scetches and thanks for the great pics!
Congrats on your family addition

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Esther van Driel May 7, 2017 at 09:53

This is amazing! I would love to make this for my daughter. If you would be so kind as to send me the PDF, I would be so grateful. Thank you.

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Megan May 7, 2017 at 10:58

I commented about a week ago but I don’t see my comment here and I never received an email from you so I’m not sure if my comment got posted. I would like to get a copy of the pattern for this please! My daughter will have so much fun with this. Thank you!

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Lisa Grantham May 9, 2017 at 14:33

I would love to use this template for a felt board story with my 21 month old.

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Sheila May 15, 2017 at 17:23

This absolutely stunning. You are so talented. I would really like a copy of the pdf, please. Thank you

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ALISHA HEINEKE May 16, 2017 at 06:53

HI THERE YOUR PROJECT LOOKS AMAZING! WOULD LOVE A COPY OF YOUR SKETCHES PLEASE. I THINK I’LL MAKE A SET FOR MY EARLY CHILD CARE CENTER!
THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS SET WITH US

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Hannah May 17, 2017 at 17:51

Oh I’m such a huge fan of your creative sewing ideas! I’d love to get a copy of the PDF for a project for my little boys. So grateful for your sharing! Thank you!

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Angelene May 20, 2017 at 05:43

Hi, I love this project very much! Can email me the pdf template please? I like to do this for my 2 yr old son. Thanks a lot!

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Cristiana May 20, 2017 at 09:47

My daughters and I love Eric Carle’ books.
I’m Italian and I teach English at babies, toddlers and children from 10 years, everybody love E. Carle. I would like to have you PDF template so we could interact with the characters of the story. Thank you in advance.

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Nancy Hanthorn May 23, 2017 at 22:53

I have made quiet books before, but I love this set. Please send me the PDF for the pieces for my own personal use. And I thank you very much. I know my granddaughter will love this!!

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Amy May 26, 2017 at 02:12

If you could send me the PDF I would be ever so grateful. I would love to make a button set of this for our summer road trip. Beautiful work!

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Amy May 26, 2017 at 02:14

I would love to get a copy of the pdf to make a button in set for my girls to occupy them during our summer road trip. Your work is beautiful.

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Anna May 26, 2017 at 19:34

I would love to make this for my son’s 2nd birthday coming up. Would you mind sharing the pattern with me?

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Anna May 26, 2017 at 19:35

i would love to make this for my son. would you mind sharing the pattern with me?

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Sheila June 24, 2017 at 05:19

This really brings the story to life. I would love a copy of the instructions please so I can enhance the story for my granddaughter. Thank you

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Mary July 6, 2017 at 17:47

This is amazing, I would love to make this for my grand daughter. Would you please send me the pdf.

Thank you

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Kerry July 9, 2017 at 03:05

Please could you send me a PDF of this. I would love to make one.

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Marjorie Rojas July 11, 2017 at 17:05

Hello!!! ! I love what you made, it is amazing! I can definitely use this with my 3 year old students. Can you please send me the PDF pattern. I would really appreciate it. Thank you so much in advance!

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Alison July 17, 2017 at 07:05

This is gorgeous. I would love a copy of your sketches if possible please.

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