How to Sew a Simple Gnome (Free Pattern)

Save money this year by learning how to sew a gnome that looks store bought. An easy sewing project that will be sure to impress!

Do you notice that gnomes are everywhere these days? I see them not only during the Christmas season, but during the fall season, Valentine’s Day, even during Easter!

However, I do have to admit that these mythical creatures add an instant touch of magic to any festive decor. Even better when they are soft and cuddly!

In today’s tutorial, I will show you step-by-step how to sew a simple gnome. These basic gnomes consist of a body, a fluffy beard, a round little nose, and a gnome hat. Make them in whatever color you like to suit your occasion!

How Big is DIY Gnome

This simple DIY gnome measures approximately 11″ (27.94 cm) tall from bottom to tip of hat.

From the side, DIY gnome is about 4″ (10.15 cm) wide.

Please note that the dimensions listed here are approximate and your final product may vary slightly from mine.

What Can I use for a Gnome Body?

You can use all sorts of materials to make a gnome body. Examples include cotton fabrics, wool fabrics, fleece, flannel, felt, and more. You can also use socks or upcycle old sweaters and sweatshirts to make the gnome body.

However, in today’s tutorial, I will be showing you how to make a gnome body using polyester fleece.

Chances are if you are shopping at a fabric/craft store, you will find polar fleece, a double-sided knit fabric made from polyester fibers. The surface of polar fleece is brushed to create a soft, raised surface. This is perfect as it recreates a “wool-like” appearance for making soft, fuzzy gnomes.

What Supplies Do You Need to Make a Gnome?

To make our DIY gnome today, you will need the following:

Materials

• FLEECE FABRIC – Anti-pill and Blizzard fleece both work great
  • GNOME BODY & BOTTOM – 1/4 Yard (0.23 M)
  • GNOME HAT & FACING – 1/3 Yard (0.3M)
  • GNOME NOSE – small piece in peach/tan color
• POLY-PELLETS – see discussion below on other materials you can use.
• FIBER-FIL
• FAUX FUR – for beard
• MATCHING THREAD
• COSMETIC BLUSH (optional) – actual blush you use for makeup. Adds color to gnome nose
• CRAFT WIRE (optional) – if you want to add a bend to gnome hat

Tools

• HOME SEWING MACHINE
• FABRIC SCISSORS – these Ginghers are my favorite.
• EMBROIDERY SCISSORS – high precision for cutting out gnome beard
• SEWING PINS
• THAT PURPLE THANG – optional but super handy for guiding fabric to feed into machine
• HAND SEWING NEEDLES
• HOT GLUE GUN

What Can You Use to Weigh Down Gnomes?

Generally for weighing down gnomes, weighted stuffing beads are the material of choice. These plastic stuffing beads are perfect for making weighed stuffed toys as well as to add weight to the bottom of dolls to make them sit straight without falling over.

In this tutorial, I used Poly-Pellets by Fairfield which were perfect for the job. The pellets are smooth and oval in shape, which makes them ideal for even filling. Additionally, poly-pellets are durable, non-toxic and washable.

Nevertheless, a quick search on amazon shows many other brands of stuffing beads that all seem to do the job. However, I can’t comment as I’ve never used them before.

If you’ve used another brand of stuffing bead that you recommend, I’d LOVE to hear about it in the comments below!

On the other hand, here are also some other weighted materials you can consider.

GLASS BEADS:

Glass beads are another option for weighing down gnomes. This is especially true if you prefer a more “natural” filler that is environmentally friendly. The beads are smooth and round, which is ideal for even fill.

MARBLES:

Glass marbles are another good option, especially if you already have some around the house! Similar to glass beads, they are an environmentally friendly alternative to polypropylene beads (poly-pellets).

Glass marbles are smooth, sturdy, and durable. They are also machine washable and non-toxic.

AQUARIUM GRAVEL

Aquarium gravel consists of smooth, polished stones in different sizes and shapes. Since they are much larger than stuffing beads, you won’t need very much to add weight to your gnome.

Again, they are environmentally friendly and extremely durable, thus making it a good choice for weighing down your gnomes

FLORAL GRAVEL

These small pebbles are non-toxic and comes without any additional fillers, dyes or oils. They are eco-friendly and extremely durable and long lasting.

RICE, BEANS, OTHER GRAINS

In a pinch, you can use dried rice, beans, or other grains as a filler. However, just remember they are not as durable and long lasting as the other fillers mentioned above.

First of all, despite being dried, rice/beans can still attract bugs (weevils!) and other unwanted critters. Additionally, if you live somewhere with high humidity, mold could grow on them

Finally, if the bottom of your gnome gets wet along with the beans or rice…yikes! You know how the story goes. For these reasons, stick to the other weighted fillers and stay away from using rice/beans.

Gnome Pattern

First, cut out all pattern pieces on fabric. Scroll to the bottom of the post to grab the free GNOMES PATTERN.

You will need to cut out the following pieces:

• GNOME BODY (x2)
• GNOME BOTTOM (x1)
• GNOME NOSE (x1)
• HAT (x2)
• HAT FACING (x2)

DIY Gnome Beard

Next, you will need cut out gnome beard pattern on faux fur. I recommend cutting out 2 pieces as it makes a “fuller” looking beard.

First, trace gnome beard pattern onto wrong side of faux fur ( a pencil works best!).

Next, cut out the pattern. A few tips to keep in mind when you cut:

• Cut the backing of the faux fur, not the fur on the other side. Otherwise, you will chop off the beautiful fur.
• Keep the moveable blade (bottom blade) of the scissor touching the backing of the faux fur as you cut. Notice how in my photos the fur sits below the bottom blade.

Your 2 pieces of gnome beard successfully cut out.

Gnomes DIY

First, sew GNOME BODY pieces right sides together at 1/2” (1.27cm) seam allowance (yellow line) around sides and top. Leave an opening about 2” wide on the side (doesn’t matter which side). Don’t forget to backstitch on both ends of opening.

Second, trim seam allowance to 1/4” (6mm). Leave the opening untrimmed.

Third, fold GNOME BOTTOM piece in half along the longer side of the oval-shaped pattern.

Then, make 2 small snips on the fold along either side to mark the midline.

Next, we will sew GNOME BOTTOM to GNOME BODY.

Now, match midline marking of GNOME BODY to side seam of GNOME BODY and pin in place.

Next, repeat on other side and pin entire GNOME BOTTOM piece to GNOME BODY.

Side view of GNOME BOTTOM pinned to GNOME BODY.

Then, sew together at 1/2” (1.27cm) seam allowance. NOTE: I find it easier to sew with the GNOME BODY piece facing up so you can ease it into the GNOME BOTTOM piece.

This is view of entire gnome sewn together.

Next, trim bottom seam allowance to 1/4” (6mm) and clip curves (black arrows).

Now turn gnome body to right side through opening.

Then, fill your gnome with weighted stuffing beads. I used about 2 heaping tablespoons of stuffing beads. A funnel is very helpful!

Next, fill your gnome all the way with polyester fiberfill (I used Fairfield’s Poly-fil).

Finally, once you are happy with the fill of your gnome, use invisible ladder stitch to close the opening.

Sewing Gnome Nose

(1). First, sew a straight stitch around entire circle, about 1/4” (6mm) from edge.
(2). Second, place a dollop of fiberfil (about a rounded tablespoon full) at the center.
(3), (4), (5) Next, pull on the thread to cinch up the nose.
(6). Finally, tie a knot and cut off excess thread.

Your nose is finished!

How to Sew a Gnome Hat

First, sew HAT piece right sides together at 1/2” (1.27cm), sides only. Then, in the same way, sew HAT FACING piece right sides together, on sides only.

Next, trim seam allowance to 1/4” (3mm) and clip the point at a diagonal.

Now turn HAT to right side.

Next, pull HAT FACING over HAT, right sides together, matching at the bottom.

Then, pin HAT FACING to bottom of HAT, matching side seams together. Next, sew together at 1/2” (1.27mm) seam allowance.

Now, trim seam allowance to 1/4” (6mm).

Your gnome hat will look like this with the facing correctly sewn.

Next, turn HAT FACING into the interior of hat.

Then, tack HAT FACING to inside of HAT. Do this by making a few stitches and sew facing to the seam allowance on interior of HAT.

Alternatively, you can use hot glue gun (just a small amount will do). This extra step just helps hold the facing in place inside the hat.

Next, add fiberfil inside the hat and fill it about 1/3 of the way full.

Finally, cut a piece of wire about 5” (12.7cm) long and stick it into the hat all the way to the tip.

Sewing Gnome Altogether

First, place one piece of beard over gnome, from side seam to side seam, about 2.5” (6.35cm) from the top.

Next, stitch beard in place at the sides. Alternatively, use hot glue to glue in place.

Third, place second piece of beard over the first one and glue or stitch in place.

Now place hat over your gnome and stick nose between beard and hat to find a good position for it.

Then hold the nose in place with your left hand, remove the hat, and glue the nose to the beard. You can also stick some pins in the nose to hold it in place if you’re afraid of losing the nose position (see the pins in the right photo).

(1), (2) Now apply some blush (yes real blush!) to the nose to give it some color. This step is optional, but I really think it makes the gnomes look more realistic.
(3), (4). Next put the hat back on and apply hot glue to keep it in place
(5), (6). Finally, adjust beard and bend top of the hat to your liking

Gnome Pattern FREE

To get a copy of the FREE Gnome PDF Pattern, subscribe to the MindyMakes Email List to receive the password for the Mindy Makes Free Resource Library. The Gnomes Pattern is listed under section ‘G’ of the library as “Gnome Pattern”.

Once you click “submit”, the password will show up on the next page. You will also receive a welcome email with the password in case you forget.

Please allow up to an hour for the welcome email to fly through cyberspace and travel into your inbox. If you still don’t receive the email, make sure to check your junk or spam folders and add my email to your safe list!

Need more help? Be sure to check out this step-by-step guide that shows you exactly how to get the password, enter the library, and download the PDF.