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. Jennifer Mattix

    I’m so in love with this! Could you please send me the pattern? I’m addicted to making quiet books and this is a perfect next project. Thank you so much for sharing these patterns and all your hard work.

    Reply ↓
  2. Rosaline

    I would really like to make this for my 4 year old granddaughter Ellie, she would love it. I would greatly appreciate the patter, you are so talented. Thank you for your inspiration and your generosity in sharing your patterns with us. I would like o wish both yourself and Jake a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year 2013.

    Reply ↓
  4. Debra L.

    My grandson loves this book. I crocheted him a caterpillar stuffie for his 1st birthday. This page would be great for his 2nd birthday. Please send me your pdf
    thank you

    Reply ↓
  7. Sylwi

    I love your blog and You are a real inspiration for me. My kids do love the book, could you be so kind and send me pdf as well pls.
    regards,
    Sylwia

    Reply ↓
  8. Cydney

    This is my daughter’s favorite book! I would love to have the pattern so I can make her this for her birthday! You are so talented and I love all of your pages! I found your site 2 days ago and I’ve already made the pirate page and the sand castle page! Thank you so much for everything you do and your detailed tutorials! These are so beautiful and I really appreciate the time you put into it and that you share it!

    Reply ↓
  9. Ybelia

    Good morning I am a Spanish teacher and a E.C.E student and I have to make my own props and materials for my practices. I will really appreciate if you can share with me your beautiful pattern. Thanks for your beautiful creation.

    Reply ↓
  10. Kristie O'Hara

    Hey, I would love a copy of the pattern to the quiet book, want to make it for my boys! Would love to make if for his 2nd birthday! Thanks!

    Reply ↓
  14. Debbie Webb

    would love to make this for my daughter, she teaches kindergarten in Australia! So glad I started following you! Please send me your sketches, I might have to go buy me another copy of the book, I think she took our copy! thanks

    Reply ↓
  15. Cindie Henrich

    I would love to have a pattern to make this for my grand daughters. You are so clever and do such nice work! Thanks for all your sharing! Cindie

    Reply ↓
  16. Kris Schow

    I would love a copy of your pdf file. I have been making quite book pages and I would love to make this too. Thank you so much.

    Reply ↓
  17. Stacy

    I would love a copy of your PDF. I am just starting to make quiet books and this one would be so much fun!
    Thanks!

    Reply ↓
  19. Jenny

    I just found your blog while searching for felt board patterns. I absolutely LOVE the pieces you made. They are beautiful. I would love to try to make this for my nephew’s birthday. If you are still willing to share the patterns I would really appreciate a copy. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

    Reply ↓
  20. Courtney

    Hey Stephanie,

    My son just went to an Eric Carle puppet show recently and now he is all into this book. Could you send me your pattern? I want to make him this set so he can read and play along with his book. Thanks so much!!!
    allshipesandsizes at gmail dot com

    Reply ↓
  21. April

    Hey! I would love a pattern for this cute caterpillar page! I’m in the process of making a quiet book and I love this page! Thanks!

    Reply ↓
  23. Gale Carpenter

    You are a true artisan. I get so much enjoyment from following your work. I would love to have your pattern instructions for the Hungry Caterpillar felt board.

    Reply ↓
  24. Lynn

    Could you please send me a copy of your PDF. I would like to attempt this project for my grandaughter! Thank you very much!

    Reply ↓
  25. Danielle

    If its not to late, I would love a copy of your PDF. I love all your quiet book pages, your work is beautiful! Thanks

    Reply ↓
  26. Brooklyne Baker

    I would love a copy of this quiet book page. I cannot wait to start making some of your pages. They are simply fabulous.

    Reply ↓
  28. Kersten Lindhardt

    I would really love making one of these for my son! You are so so talented!! Would you please send me the PDF of your sketches? I would really appreciate that!

    Reply ↓
  29. Sandy

    Your projects are wonderful. It is so nice of you to share. I have started my own felt quiet book using some of your patterns. They are so cute. Please send me the pdf for this project. Thanks again for all your patterns and ideas.

    Reply ↓
  30. Anne

    I love ur blog and ur very creativity.Thanks for sharing ur talent with everyone.Im trying to make home made toys for my lil fellow.Can you please If u can send me the pdf?Thanks alot.

    Reply ↓
  31. Alisa

    Your work is just stunning, and I’m officially obsessed with e-sewing!! Can you send me a PDF for your hungry caterpillar drawings? I know my own 2 year old toddler would really love this.

    Reply ↓
  32. Vanesa

    Hello. I love your projects and would like to do this for the hungry caterpillar for my child’s classroom.

    Thank you very much for sharing so many ideas.

    a hug

    Reply ↓
  33. Stef

    We are having a Hungry Caterpillar birthday for our sons 2nd birthday and I would love to make this for the kids to play with. Thank you!!!

    Reply ↓
  34. Joan

    Just love this, perfect gift to make for my grand daughter as a present from her new brother or sister due in June. Please may I have the pdf.

    Reply ↓
  36. Katie

    This is beautiful! My daughter loves the Very Hungry Caterpillar and I would love to make this for her. Please could you send me the pdf pattern. Many thanks for sharing!

    Reply ↓
  38. Pammie002

    Please send me your sketches for the hungry catepillar felt board set. It is absolutely adorable. My friend introduced me to your site yesterday and I can’t wait to get started on one of the wonderful projects. The Breakfast Quiet book is adorable too.

    Thank you so much for sharing.

    Reply ↓
  39. Terri Ball

    I love your work! I am a grandma now, when my babies were little (25 yrs ago) I made them cloth books. Love the felt and velcro so much more– active and fun. I would love to have the pdf of your Very Hungry Caterpillar Felt Board. My grands are going to have this one for sure! Keep up the great designs you have definitely found your calling.

    Reply ↓
  41. brianne schlageter

    Hi there!
    I love all your patterns so much…you are so talented and creative! My goal this year is to do all of the patterns you have on here for my litlle guy. I would love to make a Qb page based on your sketches for the very hungry catapillar. If you are still sending the info out I would love a copy! Thank you so very much!!

    Brianne

    Reply ↓
  42. Shahrazad

    I’d love to try out your hungry caterpillar pattern … can I have a copy e-mailed to me too , Thank you so much … any chance you’d be putting all your patterns and tutorial in a book and publishing it ??? I’d be the first to buy it …

    Reply ↓
  44. Maura

    Love it! (: My son has all the Eric Carle books because my mom is a HUGE fan of his. I would love it if you could email me the PDF file. Thanks! (:

    Reply ↓
  45. Kristi

    Wow, this is amazing. I’m here via Craft Gossip and your felt valentine tutorial. I only recently started working with felt to make play food and I’m hooked! I love the idea of this set. Please send your sketches when you have a chance. Thanks!

    Reply ↓
  46. Helene

    I would love this pattern too if possible. Also if you ever decide to sell any of your quiet books please let me know. I have 2 little ones and would love these books but don’t have the time to make them myself.
    thank you again
    Helene

    Reply ↓
  49. Allison

    I see you’ve been asked for the pdf quite a few times! Is it still possible to be emailed a copy? My 2 girls got the book for Christmas, and they love it!

    Thanks so much!

    Reply ↓

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