The short answer: most 3D animals are two identical side panels joined by a folded base piece. Iron each panel on one side only, fold the base so the animal stands, and glue the panels to the base. Start with a turtle or a fish, then move to four-legged animals.
An animal is a small collection of flat pieces, and the shape comes from how you join them. Two panels plus a base is the whole trick. Details like ears, wings, and tails are separate small pieces glued on after.
The two-panel method
- Design the animal’s side view as one piece, then mirror it for the second panel.
- Iron both panels on one side only and cool them flat.
- Make a base piece: a rectangle wide enough for the body and long enough for the feet to fold down.
- Fold the base into a U shape, iron the fold lines gently so they hold.
- Glue each panel to the base with hot glue, one side at a time.
- Glue on the ears, tail, and other details last, and let everything dry.
Easiest animals to start with
- Turtle: two dome-shaped panels plus a small flat base, no legs needed.
- Fish: two identical side panels joined along the top edge, fins glued on.
- Bird: two panels plus wings and a beak glued to the front.
- Cat and dog: after the first three, four legs are just four small folded strips.
All the basics, from the one-sided melt to joining panels, are in our 3D patterns guide, and ready-made grids are in the pattern library. Beads, boards, and glue are in our shop.