Tabletop Thanksgiving Turkey

Happy Veterans Day! Before we get started, I would like to thank all of the Veterans for their service and dedication to our nation. I know thank you isn’t nearly enough to show my appreciation for all of you, but THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!
Because Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite holidays and with it being right around the corner, which I am super excited about, I thought we would celebrate with a bonus and absolutely adorable Thanksgiving project you are sure to fall in love with! Mary from Little Mama Bowtique is sharing a festive and cute, cute, cute stuffed ribbon turkey that fits just perfectly on your tabletop. This turkey is seriously yummy in my tummy and one of my favorite projects this holiday season. Enjoy and Happy….almost….Thanksgiving!

Hello everyone, Mary back from Little Mama Bowtique with a fun stuffed turkey tutorial! Can you believe we are already at that time of the year….sheesh it sure snuck up on me! I love the holidays and decorating my home. Last year I made a tutorial for a Thanksgiving wreath so this year I thought something for inside would be fun! This adorable turkey could be placed on your dining table or for me I placed him in my front entry.

Materials you will need:
Felt, I used the turftan from TRR and loved the color for this project!
Fabric Marker
Sewing Machine
Pins
Variety of Ribbon
Needle and Thread
Polyfil Stuffing
Rice
Scissors
Felt for Face Details and Sign

To start off, trace your turkey shape onto your brown felt for the turkey body. I grabbed a bowl from my kitchen and traced a circle, from there I just added a bowling pin like head and neck onto the circle to create a turkey shape. I also drew out an oval cut at the bottom as we need a flat bottom. You will have 3 pieces total.

Cut out turkey. It should look like this.

Line up one side of the oval with turkey bottom and sew. This is going to be our bottom of the turkey.

Then place other body half on top and sew around outside.

Draw a curved line inside the body, make sure you leave enough room for stitches.

Cut along this line, this is where you are going to insert your ribbon feathers.

I cut all my ribbon into 10 inch strips and cut two of each of my patterns. I ended up needing to cut about 3 extra strips. You could probably cut them about 6-8 inches long if you wanted your feathers a little shorter.

I pinned the turkey’s head down to the opposite side while doing this just to keep it out of the way.

I crossed every ribbon over and placed print side facing down (towards other half of body where I pinned the head). Pin each ribbon in.

I had to gather a little on top as I got to the very top due to the circle curve, but it did not effect the overall look.

Take it to your machine and sew along the ridge you have, over all the ribbon. Flip inside out and starch ribbons, place in oven at 200 degrees for about 20-30 min to dry.

So this is where I realized the starch wasn’t going to do it (but does still help!) so I hopped in the car and drove to Walmart in my mom scrubs at night to fetch floral wire. Good news here is that it will cost you..99 cents. I bent it to form a half circle and attached in multiple places with hot glue and felt to help support the feathers. It did the trick!

Flip your turkey over and cut out felt details for face and feet. Attach with hot glue.

It is time to stuff your turkey!! I used polyfil. Fill it almost all the way full but leaving just a little room at the bottom to fill with rice.

Stitch bottom to other side using the hidden stitch. I love this stitch and have used it on all my stuffed creations since stumbling across it! Find it HERE. Stitch leaving just a small opening about 1.5-2 inches. I used a funnel and then filled the bottom with rice. I am sorry there is no picture of this process because I had rice flying everywhere despite the funnel and ahem “trying” not to make a mess. This will weigh your turkey down so that he stays put. Once filled with rice, finish your stitches.

I then cut wings and a banner out of felt and wrote “Give Thanks” with a gold sharpie on it. Attach with glue gun.

Now you just need to find a special place for your turkey!!

I hope you have enjoyed my tabletop turkey tutorial (say that 5x fast). Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with all your loved ones!!

Thank you, thank you Mary! What a fun Thanksgiving decoration. I love those ribbon feathers. This cute Thanksgiving turkey is the perfect addition to any and all holiday decor. This would be such a fun present to give and to receive too. Who doesn’t love to get…or make new to replace or add to existing decor? I know I sure do! Every year this festive turkey will be so fun to display and help you welcome in all of your holiday visitors, parties and fun!

Are you in need of some new Thanksgiving decor? Here are a few more crafts you are sure to love to help you celebrate.

The Ribbon Retreat is loaded with all of the holiday ribbon, flowers, resins, feathers, felt, plus so much more for all of your holiday crafts and projects! You will love all of our supplies and especially…finding them all in one convenient location! Make sure to head over to The Ribbon Retreat to get all of your holiday crafting supplies! Find The Ribbon Retreat HERE!

Happy Creating & Happy Thanksgiving Turkeys!