How to Make a Stuffed Toy for a Baby
Babies need soft toys that are easy to grasp and put in their mouths. These types of toys can sometimes be very expensive to buy, but can be very easy to make by yourself. No sewing experience is required, just a few fabric scraps and some tools you probably have around your house. You can decide on the type of fabric as well as the size and shape of toy you would like to create. The only thing limiting you is your imagination.
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Things You'll Need
- Cotton fabric scraps in several colors and sizes
- Fabric marker
- Scissors
- Fiber fill
- Hot glue gun
Instructions
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1
Choose a fabric for your creation. Babies prefer bright colors and patterns. Since this is intended to be a toy for an infant, there will be no decorations or adornments on the toy. Buttons, googly eyes and other adornments can come loose from your soft toy and become a choking hazard. Therefore, all color and pattern will need to come from the fabric choice.
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2
Decide on the shape of toy you would like to create for your baby. A simple human body shape provides several areas for a baby to grasp.
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3
Use a fabric marker to draw your shape on one piece of fabric. Cut this shape out, use it as a pattern and trace it on another piece of fabric. The fabric does not have to match. Use scissors to cut out the second shape.
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4
Use your glue gun to run a line of glue around the very edge of one fabric shape. Make sure you are putting the glue on the side of the fabric you want facing out. Leave a 1- to 2-inch space on the fabric without glue. This is where you will stuff the toy.
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Glue the second shape on top of the first, being sure the edges meet up perfectly. The "good" sides of the fabric should be facing each other. The unstuffed toy will appear to be inside-out at this point. Allow the glue to dry.
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6
Turn the unstuffed toy right-side out. The "good" side of the fabric should be showing now. Use a pen or the end of a spoon to make sure any edges are smooth before stuffing the toy.
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7
Stuff the toy with fiber fill. Teething babies will appreciate a tightly stuffed toy. Use as much fiber fill as you can to assure that the toy is stiff and unmoving. A very young infant can use a slightly less-stuffed toy.
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Use the hot glue gun to close the stuffing site. Allow the toy to dry completely before giving it to a child. Inspect the toy often for signs of wear. If the fiber fill is starting to come out, dispose of the toy and make another one.
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Tips & Warnings
All materials used in this project must be safe for a small baby to teeth on and handle. Wash all fabrics in baby-safe laundry detergent before assembling. Do not add adornments (such as buttons) to your soft toy. These can come loose and pose a dangerous choking hazard.
References
- Photo Credit baby boy reaching for a toy image by Maciej Zatonski from Fotolia.com
