How to Reattach Ears to Stuffed Animals

If you have children, chances are that one of their beloved stuffed animals will some day need "surgery." Happily, the common stuffed animal problem of a detached ear can be solved in a few minutes. Even if you barely know how to sew, you can reattach a stuffed animal's ear.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sewing pins
• Sewing needle
• Thread to match the stuffed animal

1. Trim any raveled fabric at the base of the ear. Often, the fabric rips when the stuffed animal's ear is pulled off, though sometimes a seam has just come loose.

2. Hem the ear if necessary before you reattach it. You must do this if the ear is raveled and its end won't be tucked inside the stuffed animal.

3. Place the ear on the stuffed animal's head. Insert the ear into the original seam if it has ripped out. If the ear wasn't attached at a seam, just place the ear where it should be on the head, making sure it matches the other side's ear.

4. Pin the ear onto the stuffed animal's head, leaving enough space for your stitches.

5. Sew the ear onto the head by hand to reattach it, using overhand stitches. To make an overhand stitch, draw the needle through the fabric from the back to the front so the knot is hidden inside the stuffed animal. Insert the needle above the first stitch, draw it through the fabric and then create another stitch in the same way.

6. Tie off the thread and gently pull on the ear to make sure it is fully reattached.

Tips & Warnings

• You can reattach limbs and tails to stuffed animals using the same method.