How to Make Stuffed Animals From Cashmere Sweaters
If you have a stash of cashmere sweaters that either no longer fit, or have suffered moth damage, don't throw them away. Instead, reuse them to make cuddly stuffed animals. Making stuffed animals from cast-off sweaters is a great way to repurpose old cashmere garments for heirloom-quality stuffed animals that both children and adults cherish. You don't have to be an expert sewer to create plush toys from cashmere sweaters; even beginning sewers can make a simple cashmere toy.
Things You'll Need
- Stuffed animal pattern
- Cashmere sweater
- Scissors
- Pins
- Sewing machine
- Sewing needle
- Sewing thread
- Stuffing
Instructions
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Choose a stuffed animal pattern. You can use just about any pattern for your cashmere sweater stuffed animals. If you're a beginning sewer, select more primitive patterns with simple shapes. If you're more advanced, try a more dimensional pattern, or design your own.
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2
Deconstruct cashmere sweaters. Cut along the side seams and the armhole and shoulder seams to separate the front and back of the body. Depending on the size of the sweater and how large you intend to make your stuffed animal, these two pieces of fabric should provide you with enough for one or two toys.
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3
Cut out the pattern pieces with a pair of sharp scissors.
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Pin the pattern templates onto the cashmere sweater. If you need two mirror-image pattern pieces, fold the cashmere in half and pin the pattern piece to both layers.
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Cut around the pattern templates with sharp fabric scissors. Be careful to not stretch the fabric as you cut; this will warp the cashmere shapes and make your finished cashmere toy inaccurate.
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Pin the cashmere pieces together with the front sides facing inward and hand-sew or machine stitch them together with coordinating sewing thread. Use a running stitch (see Resources) to sew all of your seams. Follow the order suggested on the stuffed animal pattern when sewing pieces together. Leave a 1/8 inch seam allowance, or the pattern's suggested seam allowance, as you sew.
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Leave an opening along one seam; push the cashmere fabric through this opening to turn the stuffed animal right-side out.
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Fill the toy with fiberfill, cotton stuffing or wool roving, stuffing until the toy is firm.
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Hand sew the open seam closed with a sharp sewing needle and coordinating sewing thread. Use a slip stitch to create a strong seam (see Resources).
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Tips & Warnings
If you want to create a stiffer fabric that's easier to work with, place the sweaters in a pillowcase and put them in the washing machine with a few pairs of jeans and a small amount of mild laundry detergent. Wash in hot water.
