Stitch Up a Zoo-ful of Animal Softies

This adorable kitten requires only a quarter yard of your favorite fabric, scraps of felt to make the stripes, two buttons for eyes, and thick thread or embroidery floss for the whiskers.  The head and body come together with only four pieces.  The pointy kitty stands nine inches tall from toe to tail.

Make a charming family of elephants from this pattern that comes in two sizes.  Each large elephant can be made with just two fat quarters (18" x 22") of contrasting fabrics.  These come together very quickly, and make wonderful gifts.

You'll need one and a half yards of fabric and a few scraps of felt to create this generously sized Loch Ness Monster.  This tutorial includes instructions for sewing felt by hand, so don't let the lack of a sewing machine hold you back.  Hannah also gives some great money saving tips in this post that will help you keep the cost of your toy making down.

Use a plush fabric with a slight amount of stretch to make this charming bunny plushie; or an entire family of them.  This wonderfully illustrated tutorial will guide you every step of the way.  You can feed your new friend with these delightful tiny felt carrots.

Just two quarter yards of fabric allow you to create a gorgeous plush whale.  This five piece pattern comes together quickly and easily.  This clearly illustrated tutorial will guide you step by step through the process.

This family of polar bears is geared towards more advanced crafters, and provides instructions for creating a wire frame to give the large bear added stability, although the toy will stand perfectly well without one.  The baby bears are suitable for less experienced crafters.  Simply change the color of the fabric you choose to create a family of black or brown bears.

These cute foxes are made from one third of a yard of fabric, with scraps used for the face and lining of the ears.  At fifteen inches tall these foxy creatures are utterly huggable.  They can be made out of almost any fabric: use a fleece for a soft and cuddly fox, or consider quilting cottons in vibrant prints to create something truly striking.