How to Sew a Toy Peelable Banana Out of Felt

To sew a felt banana with a double-sided removable peel, you need cream colored felt (2 sheets, or 1/8 yard if buying by the yard) and yellow colored felt (1 sheet, or 1/8 yard). A small amount of stuffing or polyfill will also be needed to stuff your felt banana. You also need two pattern pieces: one banana-shaped and curved, the other straight. This is a simple pattern to draw and cut out yourself. Use sturdy paper or flimsy cardstock (like a cereal box) to cut out your pattern. To use the pattern, either trace it onto the felt, or pin it to the felt and cut around it.

To sew the banana, cut two of the curved pattern pieces out of your cream felt. Cut one of the straight gusset piece. (See Picture 1.)

When sewing your banana, be sure to leave a 1-inch gap for turning, and to reinforce the stitching on either side of the gap. It is a good idea to have the opening toward the bottom, wider end of the banana so it will be hidden when the banana is in the peel. Using a 1/8 inch seam allowance, sew the curved pieces to each other along the inner curve. Sew the outer curve side of each piece to one side of the straighter piece. Sew the bottom of all three pieces of the banana together. Turn the banana right side out, stuff, and stitch the opening closed by hand.

To make the banana peel, start by cutting 3 of the straighter pattern piece out of each color of felt. You will have six pieces total. Take the three cream colored pieces and sew the bottom 1/3-2/3 together, including the bottom. How far up the banana you sew depends on how "peeled" you want your banana to be. I did a tiny bit less than halfway up.

Remember to leave a gap toward the bottom of one of your seams. You want the gap to be in the middle of the seam, not at the very bottom of the banana. Reinforce the stitches on either side of the gap.

You should have a cream colored "cup" with a gap in one side and three "legs" sticking up. (See Picture 2.)

Do the same with the three yellow pieces, except don't leave a gap. Turn the yellow cup right side out. Put the yellow cup inside the cream cup, right sides together.

Now, sew the "legs" of the banana peel together, cream to yellow. It's easiest to start in the middle of a leg, sew down to the crook, up the next leg and around the tip, down again, etc., all the way around the top half of the banana. (See Picture 3.)

Once you are done sewing the outside and inside of the banana peel together, turn it right side out through the gap you left in the cream cup. Use a pen to poke out the banana peel's legs until they are completely turned right side out. (See Picture 4.) Hand stitch the opening closed and stuff the cream part of the peel down into the yellow. Put your banana inside the peel and enjoy! (See Picture 5.)