Fair warning: this pattern is addicting. I don't even need a Sardine Pillow but somehow I have 12 or more now. You are going to want to make multiple options and try out so many fabric combos.

About the Pattern

The pattern comes with written instructions with step-by-step photos, and pattern pieces for both the 36" and 24" sizes. The size difference is so funny - the big guy is like a body pillow and the small one is like a mini baguette. For real.

You can sew multiple options from the same pattern pieces: a sardine from one fabric, a sardine with a body fabric and separate head, or a fully pieced sardine with two body fabrics, a head fabric, and the optional flipper. You can add a top fin to any option and make any option two-sided (pieced on both sides) or one-sided with a single fabric back. The pieced options have slight curves, but they're very gentle, and I have extra photos in the pattern to help and the video shares some tips.

Companion Video

A full step-by-step companion video walks you through making your Sardine Pillow from start to finish. The link is included inside the pattern, and timestamps for every section are written into the pattern so you can jump to exactly what you need.