How to Make Cute Stuffed Plushies
Toy animals and dolls are sewn in various shapes and sizes and then stuffed with fabric, hosiery, shredded paper, foam or other soft material. These cute toys are commonly referred to as plushies. They are suitable for babies and children of all ages. This is an easy sewing project suitable for adults and children at the beginner level. Recycled materials like old clothing, pantyhose, socks and linens can be used to make a plush toy.
Things You'll Need
- Pencil
- Stiff paper
- Scissors
- Dressmakers' pins
- Fabric
- Fabric marker
- Sewing scissors
- Sewing machine (optional)
- Needle
- Thread
- Stuffing material
- Buttons (optional)
Instructions
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Think about how you want the toy to look. Decide if you will be making a doll, animal or other character. You could make a doll-sized version of a special child in your life or replicate a favorite cartoon or storybook character. Butterflies, ladybugs, birds and bunnies have equal plushie potential. The possibilities are endless. Plan the size, shape, fabric, stuffing and details of your design.
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2
Draw a picture of the plushie in pencil on stiff paper. Keep the shape simple, especially if you've never done this before. Note any special details of your plans so you don't forget to add them later. Make the shape 1/4 inch bigger than you want the finished toy to be, leaving room for sewing the seam. Cut out the picture using scissors.
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3
Pin the paper shape to the fabric with dressmakers' pins. Trace the shape onto the fabric using a fabric marker. Remove the straight pins and cut the shape out of the fabric with sewing scissors to make the fabric piece for the front of the toy. Repeat this step to make the fabric piece for the back.
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4
Pin the front and back pieces of fabric together with the pins to form the plushie. Sew the two pieces together 1/4 inch in around the edge with a sewing machine or by hand using a needle and thread. Leave a 3-inch seam opening to allow for stuffing the plushie. Remove the pins.
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5
Turn the fabric inside out to hide the seam and stuff the toy with the chosen material. Hand stitch the seam opening closed using the needle and thread.
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6
Cut felt or any other fabric into the shape of eyes, a nose, a mouth or even a beak, and sew onto the plushie or hand stitch the features on using embroidery thread and a needle. Create a hat, a dress or a pair of shoes in the same manner and then sew some buttons on to complete the outfit. Cut fabric into thin strips in whatever length you desire and sew it on the toy's head to create hair.
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Tips & Warnings
Use soft, hypo-allergenic materials to make stuffed plushies for babies and small children.
Choosing fabrics in bright colors, bold patterns or soft pastels add visual interest and make the plushie more unique. You may want to add facial features, a hat or a cute outfit.
Avoid stuffing with packing peanuts, beads or adding buttons and items that can be pulled off if the plushie will be given to a baby or small child to avoid choking hazard.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
