Sewing Tips To Help You Make Your Own Stuffed Animals
If you want to start making stuffed animals for your children, then there are countless numbers of patterns that you can find online or at your local craft supply store. However, sewing the stuffies may not be as easy as it first seems. If you want some tips to make sewing as easy as possible, keep reading.
Work Slowly With Plush
Plush fabrics are the most commonly used when making stuffed animals. Plush is a fabric that is much like velvet or fustian with a pile that is adhered to a cotton backing. Traditional plush was formed from silk, mohair, or worsted yarn. However, it is now made mostly out of synthetic materials like polyester. Not only does this make plush more tolerant to wear and tear, but the fabric is much easier to work with. You will need to work with the material slowly though until you get used to the feel of it. The material will likely feel slippery due to the synthetic pile on top. Also, the material basically features a variety of knits along the back. The knits can come apart during the sewing process. Due to the slippery, thick, and fragile nature of the knitted back, use a walking foot when using your sewing machine.
A walking foot is an attachment that replaces the traditional foot that sits on your sewing machine. This device helps to hold thick and slippery fabric so that a straight stitch can be formed when two pieces of the plush are attached to one another. Keep in mind that you will also need a thicker needle to make it through the plush fabric without breaking it or the thread. Also, cut the plush a bit larger than the pattern calls for. This will allow you to make minor mistakes without the entire fabric piece unraveling along the base.
Choose The Right Thread
Another important thing to consider when making stuffed animals is the type of thread that you should use. You should opt for a thicker thread that is around 30 or 40 weight. Commonly, 40 weight thread is used for embroidery purposes, so this thread or a 30 weight variety will be thick enough to keep a stuffed animal together when it is played with extensively. Make sure that the thread you choose is either cotton or polyester, because these will be the strongest materials.
When you pick the type of thread that you want, make sure that it matches the base color of the stuffed animal. This will help to hide the threads and keep the animal from showing stains if threads happen to bleed when you wash the stuffed animal.
To learn more about stuffed toys, contact a company like Magic Mouse Toys.