Quilted Toy Boat & Life Jacket Sewing Pattern – Fun DIY for Kids’ Stuffies
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Boating season is here! Since we’re always out on the lake, I figured—why not make a little boat for the kids’ stuffies to join in on the fun? And of course, what’s boating without practicing a little water safety? So naturally, I had to add a tiny life jacket to the mix. 😄
This was such a fun, quick afternoon make—and the kids have loved playing with the boat all over the house and backyard.
👉 Grab the Quilted Dinghy Sewing Pattern here!
🌊 Featuring Tula Pink's Zuma Print
Have I been hoarding this gorgeous Tula Pink Zuma print? You bet I have—and I couldn’t think of a cuter use for it than lining the inside of this quilted toy boat. The ocean waves in the print, paired with the message "the making of a great sailor isn’t done on smooth waters", made it absolutely perfect.
It’s such a good reminder (for the kids and for me!) that challenges help us grow stronger.
For the exterior, I used a gray canvas I had in my stash—possibly Birch Organics, though after years of collecting fabric, who really knows anymore? 😅
👉 Grab the Quilted Dinghy Sewing Pattern here!
🧵 Quilting the Toy Boat Panels
I doubled up some scrap batting I had lying around and used my domestic machine for straight-line quilting. I started with 1" spaced lines, then backfilled with three more lines in between—so the final spacing is close to ¼”.
I love the look of big stitches (and how fast they sew up), so I dialed my stitch length to 4 and used an off-white thread. This texture gives the soft toy boat some structure while keeping it super cozy.
🧡 A Mini Life Jacket for Stuffed Friends
Okay, how cute is this little fabric life jacket?! It’s sized perfectly for any stuffed companion and really completes the DIY toy boat and life jacket set.
I had this bright orange fat quarter left over from a Joann’s clearance haul, and it matched real-life life preservers so well. I didn’t have cotton twill tape (as recommended in the pattern), so I subbed in some ⅜" fabric ribbon I had on hand—it worked like a charm. You could easily use ½" twill tape too.
The pattern walks you through how to construct the life jacket while keeping the back strap in place. A few handfuls of Polyfil later, and you’ve got a fully functioning, adorable life vest!
🧵 Want to complete the look? Pair this with the Simple Softies sewing pattern—your stuffed friends will thank you for the extra safety gear.
👉 Grab the Quilted Dinghy Sewing Pattern here!
🪡 Professional Longarm Quilting Services
No longarm quilting was needed for this toy boat project, but if you’re working on quilted bags, totes, or full-size quilts, I’d love to help!
You can send in your exterior fabric, lining, and Soft & Stable, and I’ll quilt up your panels for about $50. I offer quilting for small projects too—just head to my longarm info page for all the details.
💬 Got questions about pantographs or quilt designs? Feel free to email me—I'm always happy to chat.
👉 Learn more about longarm quilting services here
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👉 Grab the Quilted Dinghy Sewing Pattern here and start sewing something adorable today!
