How to Make Your Own Plush Stuffed Animal With Sewing
Cute and cuddly stuffed animals bring a unique touch to a child's room and can add detail to a themed nursery. Making custom plush stuffed animals can be done with basic sewing skills and a homemade pattern. Plush animals can be stuffed with quilting stuffing, pillow stuffing, and small beads from craft stores.
Things You'll Need
- Photo of desired animal
- Newspaper
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Cotton material
- Pins
- Sewing machine
- Stuffing material
- Needle and thread
- Buttons
- Embroidery thread
Instructions
-
-
1
Draw a crude pattern on a sheet of newspaper. Start with the animal's main body shape. A seated dog would be roughly triangular, with a smaller triangular head, floppy triangular ears, rectangular legs and tail. You'll need two of each of the head pieces, tail pieces and body pieces, eight leg pieces and four ear pieces. Round these pieces into more body shaped curves by loosely sketching around the geometric lines with a pencil. Create this type of pattern for any animal.
-
2
Cut the pattern pieces out and pin the pieces to the fabric. Cut the fabric pieces out and pin together, right sides touching. Right sides are those sides that will be visible when the animal is complete. Sew each piece together using a 1/2-inch seam allowance and a zigzag stitch. Zigzag stitches will add durability to the toy. Attach the head, legs and tail to the body. Leave a 3-inch gap near the bottom for easy stuffing and turning.
-
-
3
Turn the animal right side out. Push out each corner or seam. Stuff the toy using stuffing material or beads available from craft stores, ensuring that stuffing gets pushed into all corners. Sew up the gap at the bottom of the toy. Attach buttons for eyes and use embroidery thread to make a mouth and other animal features. If the toy is for a very young child, use embroidery thread to make the eyes and eliminate the buttons.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
