Free Plush Fish Pattern!
Make a splash in your sewing adventures with this adorable Free Plush Fish Pattern! Perfect for beginners, this pattern will have you reeling with delight as you stitch together a fin-tastic friend. Whether you're crafting for yourself or as a gift, this cuddly fish is sure to bring smiles. Let’s dive into the details!
What Makes This Pattern a Catch?
Skill Level: Beginner-friendly – great for newbies looking to make their first plush toy or practice their sewing skills!
Materials Needed:
1/2 yard anti-pill fleece fabric (recommended for a soft, snuggly body and fins) Shop here.
Scraps of white and black felt fabric (for the eyes and pupils) Shop here.
Sewing machine or needle (hand-stitching is an option!)
Polyester stuffing (for a huggable finish) Shop here.
Black embroidery floss or crochet thread and needle for mouth Shop here.
Optional: Fabric glue or hot glue gun and glue sticks or fusible web and iron to attach the eyes. You can also stitch them into place.
Basic sewing supplies (scissors, thread, pins, etc.) Shop here.
Finished Size: Approximately 8” long (but feel free to scale the pattern for smaller or larger fishy friends! Just print at a larger or smaller scale to adjust the size.)
Free Pattern Download
Ready to get started? Download your free Plush Fish Pattern below and print it at home! The pattern includes easy-to-follow instructions to guide you through each step. Download here. Pattern pages print on standard 8 1/2” x 11” paper. The fish pattern prints full size on separate pages. Use the letters as a guide to taping the pages together. Tape along the dashed lines.
Click here to download step by step photos.
Sewing Tips for Success
Cut Smart: Use sharp scissors to cut out the pattern pieces cleanly, especially the curves of the fins and body.
Pin It Down: Pin the felt eyes and pins onto the body before stitching to keep them in place. Or use fabric glue or fusible web to attach the eyes. Fusible web will need an iron.
Stuff with Love: Use small handfuls of stuffing at a time to avoid lumps. A chopstick or pencil can help push the stuffing into tight spaces.
Experiment: Mix and match fleece and felt colors for a fish that’s uniquely yours!
Step by Step Instructions
Cut fabric pieces - when cutting fabric, be sure the fabric is wrong sides together so you get opposite sides.
Pin the body pattern to double layered fabric and cut one.
Pin the top fin pattern to double layered fabric and cut one.
Pin the side fin pattern to double layered fabric and cut two.
Pin the outer eye pattern to single layered white felt fabric and cut two.
Pin the inner eye pattern to single layered black felt fabric and cut two.
Create upper fin
With fabric right sides together, pin and stitch the upper fin leaving an opening to reverse.
Reverse right side out.
Stitch the opening closed using a ladder stitch.
Create side fins
With fabric right sides together, pin and stitch the two side fins leaving an opening to reverse.
Reverse right side out.
Stitch the opening closed by hand using a ladder stitch.
Create the face
Lay one of the body fabric pieces down with fabric right side up.
Lay the paper pattern on top of the fabric. With the tip of a pencil poke a hole through the paper at the location of the top of the eye and make a mark onto the fabric. Next, poke holes and make marks along the entire length of the mouth, each about 1/4” apart. This will be your guide to inserting the eyes and stitching the face.
Repeat with the other body fabric.
Stitch (or glue or iron with fusible web) the black inner eye to the bottom right hand corner of the outer eye. Stitch (or glue or iron with fusible web) the outer eye to the fish’s body.
Repeat with the other body fabric.
With black embroidery floss or crochet thread, backstitch the mouth. Your first stitch will be forward. Backstitch the rest.
Repeat with the other body fabric.
Create the body
With fabric right sides together, pin and stitch the body leaving an opening to reverse and stuff.
Clip the inward seams around the tail.
Reverse right side out.
Stuff with polyester stuffing.
Stitch the opening closed by hand using a ladder stitch.
Attach fins
Stitch the upper fin to the top of the body along the top of the fish.
Stitch the side fins to the sides of the body. First, stitch the top upper left hand corner. Then stitch the bottom left hand corner.
Repeat on the other side and stitch the other fin.
Fish Coloring Page
Click here to download a fun fish coloring page to go along with your new fishy friend!
More Underwater Fun!
Love this project? Check out these related patterns for more aquatic adventures:
Octopus Pin Cushion (free pattern included!)
Shark Plushie (intermediate level)
Plush Whale (includes a printable adoption certificate!)
Shop Patterns with Personality
From adorable animals to whimsical creatures, our patterns are designed to inspire creativity. Explore our full collection here and discover your next sewing project!
Happy stitching, and don’t forget to “seas” the day with your new fishy friend! 🐠