If you're anything like me, you have an abysmal sense of time and just realized you should probably be getting those DIY Christmas gifts you planned to make done. And you also didn't actually plan anything. Or buy materials for anything. I really hope you're not like me, but for those of you that are (I'm sorry, but we're in this together, at least) here's 15 simple, cute plush projects you can finish quickly with whatever fabric you have on hand at the moment. Shh, don't tell anyone we waited this long.
1. Tiny Dinos (free pattern)
These little dinosaur plushies from Choly Knight would look adorable in any color scheme and will totally delight any child or dinosaur-loving adult!
2. Chubby Bunny, Chick, and Lamb
These cute, round plushies don't require any machine embroidery, plus you get 3 patterns in one!
3. Kawaii bat (+free version)
These chunky bat cushions are adorable, and more importantly.... super simple! Plus, there's a miniature ITH keychain version available for free for all your stocking stuffer needs.
4. Mini frogs
These tiny leggy frogs are perfect stocking stuffers! And because they're so tiny, you could easily use fabric scraps to make them. No shopping required!
5. Duck with Knife
Another amazing tiny plush to fill a stocking- this little threatening duck will delight anyone who receives him. If you have an argument-prone family you can make one for everyone and have them fight with their ducks instead of their words. You know, just an idea.
6. Felt Dragons
These felt dragons look complex and impressive, but the pattern comes with SVG files to use with a Cricut or Silhouette machine so with a little tech, you can whip up a whole host of these dragons! This artist has a variety of felt creature patterns in the same style available as well.
7. Simple Cat
These Ghibli-inspired kitty plushies are small and simple and could be made in any variety of colors to suit your giftees tastes!
8. Felt Snail
These small felt snails have a very simple rolled fabric shell that you could use any cotton scraps for! The pattern description recommends using them as a pincushion, making this a great handmade gift for any other sewists in your life.
9. Felt Axolotl
Reviews praise this adorable Axolotl plush pattern for being a quick and easy project, and the results are absolutely adorable.
10. Squish Cat
This squishy friend comes with multiple size and style variations- including an adorable dorayaki version- and will definitely tickle whoever receives one. I mean, look at him. Do note that 4-way stretch minky is required to get the proper squishy shape and texture!
11. Dino Nuggets
These incredibly simple dino nugget plushies are sure to be a hit with any kids in your life, and I would hazard the adults in your life might like them even more. At 28 I hold that dino nuggets are better than non-dino nuggets and my mind cannot be changed.
12. Polar Bears (free pattern)
With a large and mini version of this pattern available, I can see these making an absolutely adorable family gift set! The tutorial also includes instructions for a crocheted version of the scarf.
13. Whale Shark
This adorable pattern from BeeZeeArt could be made using any colored or patterned minky and won't take long at all to put together!
14. ITH Deer
Put your embroidery machine to work for you with this super cute ITH deer design! It's seasonally appropriate, and the bulk of the work will be assembly. The pattern comes with multiple size options, so like the polar bear pattern, this could be an adorable family gift set idea.
15. ITH Cat Charm
Fill the stockings of the cat lovers in your life with a keychain lookalike of their kitties! This pattern comes with a number of styles to make any sort of cat.
Speaking of cats, here's a bonus holiday project that's a bit more involved, but totally adorable and I just had to feature it:
Cat Stocking
This pattern can be used to make an adorable little fish-shaped stocking for your (or someone else's) kitty! I'm definitely going to make one for my cat... if I have time. It even comes with an ITH file to make a little lookalike to add to it!
Hopefully this round-up helps you get your last minute gifts finished! I know I'll be spending the next few days acting like an elf in Santa's workshop to get things ready... good luck to us all!