How to Make & Sew a Stuffed Dog
Making stuffed toys is fun and challenging. A stuffed dog is a great way to use up fabric scraps and makes a charming gift for a little boy or girl. The same pattern can make a dog that looks rather natural or one that is playful, patchworked and silly. Once you have a basic pattern, use it to create your own stuffed dogs, playing with the length of the body and legs, the shape of the muzzle and style of the ears to create different dog breeds.
Things You'll Need
- Fabric Safety eyes or small buttons Embroidery floss Felt Needle Coordinating thread Sewing machine, if desired Polyester fiberfill stuffing
Instructions
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How to Make and Sew a Stuffed Dog
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1
Start with a basic stuffed dog pattern. Draw your own using a coloring book page as a model. You will need a side view of your dog and a gusset for the underside of the body. Enlarge your printed or drawn pattern as needed using a photocopier. Add 1/4-inch seam allowances when you cut out your paper pattern. If you would like a challenge, try the Japanese pattern linked in the resources.
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2
Cut body and gusset pattern pieces out of your chosen fabric. You may want to use felt for paw pads and the stuffed dog nose or embroider these with embroidery floss. Ears can be made out of the body fabric or a contrasting fabric as you prefer.
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3
Stitch the seam starting at the stuffed dog nose and working to the tail. If using felt, stitch wrong sides together. Sew right sides together if using fabric instead of felt. Insert safety eyes now if using them. Pin the gusset into place and stitch it by hand or machine, leaving an opening for stuffing. Your gusset pattern piece should cover the underside of the dog's chin, insides of the legs, belly and underside of the tail.
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4
Stuff your dog firmly. The stuffed dog should stand up on his own when stuffed. Sew up the opening.
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5
Add paw pads and a nose and ears if appropriate. Sew on or embroider the eyes if you did not use safety eyes. Add a felt collar for your stuffed dog. Experiment with fabrics to make a variety of dog breeds, even using a very simple pattern for stuffed dogs.
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Tips & Warnings
Embroider faces and features if giving your stuffed dogs to young children.
Be sure all seams are securely sewn.
