DIY Pinned Goliath Beetle

Downloadable PDF Pattern:

• Pinned Goliath Beetle Pattern Labeled

Instructions:

1. Print the pattern onto cardstock and cut out stencils.

2. Trace and cut out insect parts. Pin smaller pieces, like the claws, together for easier cutting.
   Tip: When tracing on black felt use a white chalk pencil, unless the stencil is simple, for example the Tarsus, just hold the stencil in place on top of the felt and carefully cut out the pieces.

3. Prepare small leg pieces (Tarsus and Tibia) by folding over each piece and carefully ironing a crisp seam.
   Tip: Use of a flat-iron makes this step a breeze, as long as you don’t singe your fingers.

4. Place wings on a safe-to-get-tacky surface and spray lightly with fabric stiffener. Begin repetitively pinching lines while pushing the felt into position (utilizing the stickiness of the surface). It will take a few minutes to mold each wing into shape, as the lines want to flatten out initially. Then leave the wings to dry for 24 hours.

5. Begin by quilt stitching the “Y” portion of the head. (You will notice the top side has a longer base on the “Y”. This small section will be stitched to the side pieces.) Place safety eyes AFTER stitching the head pieces together and then add pipe cleaners to the “Y” portion of the head and antennas. Next, stuff with fiberfill and, using your thread, create a crosshatch pattern to secure the fluff without sinching the opening closed.

6. Quilt stitch the body and stuff with fiberfill. Pin head in place and ladder stitch (also known as a slip-stitch or invisible stitch) together.
   Optional: Use ladder stitch to create a line between the Thorax and Abdomen. Additionally, crochet thread can be used to create the 4 lines on the underside of the Abdomen.

7. Cut 6 pipe cleaners to 8 inches in length. Fold them in half and twist (stop before reaching the end and fold the 2 points down), these should be about 4 inches in length, including the “Y” opening at the untwisted end.

8. Quilt stitch the claw, stopping on the curve of the second pincer, and insert the pipe cleaner. Then complete the stitch around the pipe cleaner. Next add the first tarsus at the base of the claw. Fold over and stitch in place. Repeat with the second and third tarsus pieces. Also, repeat with the tibia. Finally, quilt stitch the femur pieces together, stopping just after the end curve. Bend the exposed portion of the pipe cleaner in half and place it into the femur. Then stitch closed.
   Tip: Pliers come in very handy when placing the pipe cleaners, as well as tucking in the sewn felt portion when closing seams.

9. Whip stitch the thorax details onto the top piece of the thorax. Then quilt stitch the thorax closed, along with the outer wings and head detail pieces. These will lay flat, so no fluff is needed.

10. Attach the legs while minding their orientation. To avoid catching the thread fold the legs behind the beetle’s body.

11. After repositioning the legs attach the head detail piece, wings, thorax, and outer wings in that order.

Now you can pick out a frame and mount your pinned insect. For a stationary piece just secure your Goliath Beetle with hot glue, however, if you’d like to keep your pin-pal mobile stick a few neodymium bar magnets beneath the felt inside your frame. And done! Thanks so much and I hope you had fun creating!

Did you create your own Goliath Beetle? We’d love to see your finished projects. Tag us on Instagram @mikelmichelleco and @the_felt_store to show off your creations

Happy crafting!