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Free pattern: Trixie the Donkey

November 28, 2014 by Anne Weaver

Free pattern: Trixie the Donkey

Free pattern: Trixie the Donkey

The Pattern Patter blog shares a free vintage pattern for making this adorable felt donkey.  She’s hand stitched together from felt – a good project to make while hanging out with the family.  The vintage pattern comes courtesy of Mary Beth from Retro Monkeys.  She measures 11 1/4″ tall and 6 1/2″ long.  She’s intended to be a toy, but I see her being a cute shelf-sitter or mantel accent for vintage-inspired holiday décor.  Mary Beth suggests putting a bow around her neck.  You could also scale her down and make her a Christmas ornament.

Click the link below to get the free pattern:

Free Pattern Friday – Trixie the Donkey, from Retro Monkeys

[photo courtesy of Retro Monkeys on Pattern Patter blog]

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Comments

  1. Catherine Johnson says

    December 1, 2014 at 5:39 am

    Thanks for sharing this! I agree this would be a cute shelf sitter. Great Christmas gift!

  2. Mary Beth says

    December 1, 2014 at 7:48 am

    I love her! I may need to make a few!

  3. kinseysue (@kinseysue1) says

    December 1, 2014 at 4:29 pm

    Darling pattern – I love it!

  4. Kelly says

    December 1, 2014 at 7:43 pm

    How adorable! If only I had the time. Maybe after the holidays.

  5. sherri s. says

    December 1, 2014 at 9:49 pm

    So so cute…love her!

  6. Michelle says

    December 2, 2014 at 5:51 am

    Super cute!

  7. Debora McFearin (VintageNeedleFinds) says

    December 2, 2014 at 9:24 am

    Love this!

  8. Wendy Hall says

    December 2, 2014 at 12:10 pm

    Great pattern. Thank you for sharing.

  9. redcurlzs says

    December 2, 2014 at 12:55 pm

    Adorable!

  10. Ellie says

    December 2, 2014 at 5:33 pm

    Adorable =-)

  11. SewAsItWasPatterns says

    December 2, 2014 at 9:21 pm

    Will be making a couple of these little ones !
    Great pattern !

  12. Patty says

    December 2, 2014 at 11:07 pm

    Very CUTE! Thanks for sharing.

  13. adelebeeannpatterns says

    December 3, 2014 at 12:29 pm

    Very cute!

  14. Robin Flinchum says

    December 17, 2014 at 1:35 pm

    So cute! I love old felt toy patterns!

Have you read?

Sewing Pattern Saturday Review: The Juniper Dress PDF Sewing Pattern

Sewing Pattern Saturday is where I like to pause the scrolling and really look at sewing patterns that feel thoughtful, wearable, and made for real life. I’m especially drawn to patterns that solve problems quietly in the background, designs that don’t shout but make getting dressed easier, more comfortable, and more dignified. That’s exactly why The Juniper Dress PDF Sewing Pattern caught my attention.

This pattern sits in the adaptive clothing space, and it does so in a way that feels respectful, stylish, and genuinely wearable.

At first glance, the Juniper Dress looks calm and considered. The silhouette is simple and unfussy, with clean lines that don’t overwhelm the body. There’s a softness to the design that immediately suggests comfort, but without tipping into anything shapeless or clinical. That balance is hard to get right, and this pattern does it well.

What really stands out is how intentionally the dress is designed. This isn’t adaptive clothing as an afterthought. The pattern clearly considers ease of dressing, comfort when worn for long periods, and movement throughout the day. It feels suitable for people with limited mobility, sensory sensitivities, or anyone who simply values comfort-first clothing that still looks like “real clothes.”

From a wearability point of view, this is the kind of dress that works across a wide range of situations. It’s appropriate for everyday wear, time at home, appointments, or even social outings depending on fabric choice. The design doesn’t pigeonhole the wearer into one setting, which is something I really appreciate.

In terms of sewing experience, I’d place the Juniper Dress in the confident beginner to intermediate range. The construction itself isn’t overly complex, but it does reward careful reading of instructions and thoughtful fabric handling. If you’re comfortable with basic garment sewing and like taking your time to get things right, this is very approachable.

Fabric choice plays a big role in how this dress feels once finished. Soft woven fabrics with a gentle drape really enhance the comfort factor. Think cottons, linens, or blends that breathe and move easily. Because the design is simple, fabric texture and colour do a lot of the visual work, which makes it easy to customise without altering the pattern itself.

What I like most about the Juniper Dress is that it doesn’t feel like a compromise. Too often, adaptive patterns lean heavily into function and forget about how the wearer wants to feel. This one manages to offer ease, accessibility, and comfort while still feeling like a thoughtfully designed garment you’d choose to wear.

If you’re looking for an adaptive dress sewing pattern that prioritises comfort, dignity, and everyday wearability, The Juniper Dress is absolutely worth a closer look. It’s a pattern that feels kind, practical, and quietly empowering, which is exactly the sort of thing I love featuring in Sewing Pattern Saturday.

Pattern name: The Juniper Dress PDF Sewing Pattern
Available on: Etsy
Best suited to: Confident beginners and intermediate sewists interested in adaptive clothing, comfort-focused garments, and thoughtful everyday dressmaking.

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