Things You'll Need:
- matching thread
- sissors
- sewing needle
- fabric pins
- fray block (optional)
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Step 1
If the material appears to be fraying you may wish to use fray block on the edges before beginning. This will not only prevent further fraying but will make hand stitching the body part, in this case the head, back on easier.
You may want to pin the torn limb in place, I personally prefer to just use my fingers and pinch as I go, but some people find it easier with pins. -
Step 2
The first thing you want to do is remove some of the stuffing, this will be replaced towards the end. Remove enough that you're not fighting to keep the stuffing out of your way and that it's not trying to seep out the hole.
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Step 3
Once you've removed some stuffing, fold to the inside roughly 1/4" of neck fabric on the body of the animal. Take the head, and lining up the seams, slip the raw edge back into the neck.
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Step 4
You should now have the head in place with no raw edges showing. If you wish, pin in place. Using thread that is a close match in color take small stitches, overlapping the end of the previous stitch. Your stitches should be placed as close to the fold you made as possible. To big a stitch will leave gaps on the neck and the repair job will need to be repeated soon.
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Step 5
Once you have stitched roughly 3/4 of the neck closed, replace the stuffing. Carefully push the stuffing in as far as possible to keep it out of the stitches and finish closing up the neck. To secure the end of the thread take two or three very small stitches almost directly on top of each other, use these stitches as a anchor for your knot. Do not cut the thread yet!
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Step 6
Squeeze the neck as flat as possible so that your knot is on a flat side and push your needle straight through the neck. Once you have pulled the needle out the back side simply cut the thread and release the neck, this will pull your thread tail back inside, hiding it from view.
