Sewzy
Memory Elephant Sewing Pattern
The Memory Elephant is an intermediate sewing pattern in 10 sizes, 6 in to 24 in. It takes about 4 hours in 7 written steps. It is in the Sewzy iPhone app with every size included. Print it as a letter-size PDF or an A0 copy-shop file.
Updated October 11, 2026
- Level
- Intermediate
- Time
- About 4 h
- Sizes
- 10
- Steps
- 7
The Memory Elephant pattern comes in 10 sizes, 6 in to 24 in. It is an intermediate project that takes about 4 h, in 7 steps. Sew it from old shirts, dresses, sweatshirts, flannel, denim, fleece, baby clothes or blankets.
The elephant's head is cut differently from the other memory animals: the trunk is part of the head sides, sewn from the bridge notch round the trunk tip to the chin and then pushed out with a chopstick. A pipe cleaner inside lets you curl the trunk, and you need it in the 6 and 8 inch sizes. The big ears fan out sideways and the tail is a folded strip with a frayed end. Compare the memory bear for the simplest head.
Premium Print the letter or A0 PDF from the app.
Photos are renders of the finished item, made from this pattern's shapes.
Sizes and fabric
| Size | Finished size and details | Fabric |
|---|---|---|
| 6 in | made from: baby onesie / sleeve | ⅛ yd |
| 8 in | made from: baby onesie | ⅛ yd |
| 10 in | made from: child tee | ¼ yd |
| 12 in | made from: adult tee or shirt | ⅓ yd |
| 14 in | made from: adult shirt | ½ yd |
| 16 in | made from: adult shirt | ½ yd |
| 18 in | made from: adult shirt or blouse | ⅔ yd |
| 20 in | made from: 2 shirts or a dress | ¾ yd |
| 22 in | made from: 2 shirts or a dress | 1 yd |
| 24 in | made from: flannel or blanket | 1¼ yd |
Shirts, dresses, sweatshirts, flannel, denim, fleece, baby clothes, blankets. Interface anything stretchy. Contrast foot pads and inner ears from a second garment.
You also need
- Safety eyes (6 mm for the 6-10 in sizes, 9-12 mm above) or embroidered eyes
- Pipe cleaner for the trunk (essential in the 6-8 in sizes)
- Fiberfill; optional poly pellets for a floppy elephant
- Optional: 4 plastic doll joints or 4 shank buttons + strong thread
- Doll needle, ladder-stitch thread
Pattern pieces
Head side, Head gusset, Body front, Body back, Arm, Leg, Foot pad, Ear, Tail
Seam allowance: ¼ in (6 mm) included.
The steps
The written guide in the app takes you through 7 steps, one at a time.
- Prepare the garment
- Cut
- Head
- Face and ears
- Body
- Arms and legs
- Join and finish
In these collections
Read before you sew
More memory bears
Questions about the Memory Elephant
How much fabric does the Memory Elephant need?
Sew it from old shirts, dresses, sweatshirts, flannel, denim, fleece, baby clothes or blankets. Exact amounts for each size are in the guide inside the Sewzy app.
Which sizes does the Memory Elephant come in?
It comes in 10 sizes, 6 in to 24 in. The size table on this page lists what each size fits.
How long does the Memory Elephant take to sew?
About 4 hours. It is rated intermediate, and the written guide in the app has 7 steps.
Related guides
How to make a memory bear from a loved one's clothes6 min readA memory bear is a teddy sewn from a loved one's clothing. See how much clothing you need, how to cut it, the 10 sizes and how long it takes (about 4 hours).
How to sew a plushie: stuffed animal sewing for beginners4 min readHow to sew a plushie for beginners: choose fabric, cut and mark pieces, sew curves, turn, stuff evenly and close the gap with a neat ladder stitch.
How to print PDF sewing patterns at home, step by step5 min readHow to print PDF sewing patterns at home: set 100% scale, check the test square, tape tiles by their labels, or send an A0 sheet to a copy shop.
Sew the Memory Elephant in Sewzy
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