DIY Safari-Themed Nursery Mobile

by Jaime LaPlant

6 Hours

Easy

Last month, I made my nephew a safari-themed mobile. My brother had looked at a few on Etsy that he liked, but they were quite costly. He asked if I would be able to make one. It was super easy, it turned out pretty cute, and most importantly, my nephew loves it! The entire mobile costs less than $5 to make! Each animal costs less than $1 to make!
I can't put all the details out here or this post would go on forever, so be sure to visit my blog for more details, as well as the templates for the felt animals.

diy mobile nursery safari themed, bedroom ideas, crafts, diy

Needed Materials:

String, Ribbon, or Yarn

Felt Sheets in the colors of your choice

Embroidery Hoop

Washi Tape or Ribbon

Small Washer

Polyfill Stuffing

Sewing Needle

Thread

Craft Glue

Part 1: Make the animals. I chose to make a lion, monkey, elephant, giraffe, and snake. The process is the same for all five animals, so I will just show you how to make the elephant.

Step 1: Make a template. I looked through several clip-art elephants for ideas and then drew up a template. I am not artsy at all, so you may want to come up with your own ideas. A pdf file of the elephant template that I used can be found on the blog.

Step 2: Using your template, cut out the elephant.

Step 3: Staying close to the edges, sew around the body. Put the tail pieces in place as you sew around the body. Be sure to leave an open space to put in the stuffing.

Step 4: Lightly stuff the elephant's body.

Step 5: Once you are happy with the amount of stuffing, sew the hole shut.

Step 6: Follow the same process for the head that you did for the body.

Step 7: Sew the head to the body.

Step 8: Glue or sew on a face and the inner ears.

Follow these same steps for each animal.

Part 2: Make the mobile

Step 1. The embroidery hoop comes with two hoops. Take the inside loop out and use that. I used a 12 inch hoop. If you want yours to be bigger or smaller, just adjust accordingly.

Step 2. Take your washi tape or ribbon and put it on the embroidery hoop. I used washi tape because it was quick and easy. You also could glue a ribbon around it or even wrap yarn around the hoop.

Step 3. Cut a length of yarn about 2 feet long. Starting from the bottom of the felt animal, pull the yarn though the animal. Put a knot at the very end of the yarn. Pull the yarn through the animal until you get to the knot. The knot at the bottom of the animal will hold it. You may want to put a small dab of glue on the knot just to ensure it stays.

I also added leaves above the animals at this step, but this is completely optional.

Step 4. Attach the main hanging string. Cut 3 lengths of yarn or string at about 8 inches. Tie these three strings to the washer and then to the hoop. Try to evenly space them around the hoop. Cut a long length of yarn and tie it to the washer. The length of this piece depends on what you are hanging it from and at what height.

Step 5. Tie the animals to the hoop and the washer at your ideal length. You may need to move the animals around or change the lengths of the yarn because you need to create a balance.

Step 12. Hang the mobile and enjoy!

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4 comments

Hannah V on Sep 18, 2014
Oh my gosh you are insanely talented! This is SUCH an adorable mobile!

Like Reply
- Jaime LaPlant on Sep 18, 2014
  @Hannah V Thank you so much!
  
  Like
Jeanette S on Sep 19, 2014
ADORABLE! Objects like this ARE usually very pricey. It is good to have a talented Aunt!

Like Reply
- Jaime LaPlant on Sep 19, 2014
  @Jeanette S Thank you!
  
  Like