Sometimes, it’s frustrating to want to find a plush toy that matches your character and style because you just couldn’t find the perfect one. You’ll often find something almost perfect until you see its eyes are a bit off or its nose is a bit large. Did you know you can make your custom-made plush using our tutorial?
Designing and making your own plush is easier than you think! Learn how to make a plushie today!
7 Steps In Making A Plushie
1. Gather All Materials Needed
To save time, you need to prepare and gather all the things needed. You wouldn’t want to stop sewing from time to time just because you forgot to get some important tools.
Here are the things you’ll need:
- Thread or embroidery floss
- Stuffing
- Fabric
- Pattern
- Scissors
- Some beads or sequence
- Plastic nose and eyes
- Fabric markers
2. Sketch Your Plushie
Making the sketch might be one of the toughest steps in making a plush bear. However, this could also be the most fun part. You’ll get to design your own plush bear according to your preference!
You’ll need to consider the bear plushie’s size and other details like eyes, nose, ears, and clothing. Get a piece of clean paper and a pencil to draft the sketch. We recommend that you stick to outlining first.
However, if you don’t know how to draw or sketch, you may push through to download free designs on the internet. And then print them out and customize them and add more stuff.
3. Choose Its Fabric & Color
Flannel
Flannel can be used for your cute plush doll or bear. This fabric type is very easy to purchase because it is usually available in various prints and colors.
It’s also reasonably priced and easy to sew because it has little to no fraying edges/corners. However, this is not as fluffy as sherpa fabrics.
Cotton
Cotton is also easy to purchase and comes in various prints and colors like flannel. It’s also affordable but not as fluffy as the other fabric types. This fabric type isn’t commonly used in most animal plush toys.
Fleece
This very fluffy fabric makes every plush animal toy huggable and cute. Its edge doesn’t fray, so it’s also easy to sew and work with. It has a wide array of color choices, too. However, if you want it to have that hairy and furry look, this isn’t your best choice.
Felt
This fabric type is most likely as affordable (almost) and as easy to work with as cotton and flannel. It’s easy to purchase, too. However, it doesn’t work well in polyester felt pills. This fabric isn’t that soft for plush toys.
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Faux Fur
This fabric is your best choice if you want to achieve that realistic store-bought plushie. It easily hides imperfect sewing/stitching because it has long fur that can cover the stitches on every edge.
However, if you aren’t a professional animal plush maker, you might find this difficult to work with. It sheds made crazy, so your workspace and clothes might be covered with fur. It’s also expensive and may be challenging to sew.
Old Cotton Shirt
If you don’t have time to buy fabric, you may want to use your old cotton shirts. Find a t-shirt with a soft fabric that still looks nice and has the right colors you need. Do not ever use a sheer or see-through fabric like chiffon or lace, as they might reveal the stuffing.
Read: Top FNAF Plushies
4. Create a Pattern
You have two options to make a pattern. One is to copy your design onto a larger sheet of paper manually. The second one is to take your design to a local print shop and let them enlarge your draft.
5. Cut Out the Pattern & Sew
Next, get your scissors to cut fabric using the pattern pieces and fold and pin them. Cut each pattern one by one, and carefully lay the pattern pieces on a clear table or flat surface. Next, place each pattern on the fabric and make trace lines. Then, cut the fabric using the pattern.
Piece the parts together (two pieces at a time), tuck the raw edges, and pin the fabric inside out using straight pins. Then use basic running stitch carefully using the trace lines. You may also use an embroidery stitch or a straight stitch. Do not sew the top hole yet because you’ll still have to put fillings.
6. Stuff Your Plushie
Polyester Fiberfill
A polyester fiberfill is a synthetic material that can be used in cushioning stuffed toys. It’s soft, extremely fluffy, durable, and widely used in filling stuffed animals. It is made from polyester [1] and can easily be bought in local craft stores.
Dry Polyester Packing Fiberfill
This type of fiberfill can also be good for stuffing plush animal toys. However, this isn’t treated with silicone fiber, so it has a coarse texture. It packs firmly, making it easy to fill small spaces.
Poly-Pellets & Bean Bag Fillers
The poly-pellets and bean bag fillers can also be excellent options for stuffing. If you can’t get these fillings, you may also try using dried rice, large plastic beads, dried beans, old t-shirts’ fabric, and an old stuffing from a pillow or stuffed toy like a little bear.
7. Seal & Sew
After filling, seal every edge and then sew/stitch the hole close. Then, start hand sewing the details like eyes, nose, body size, and clothing. If you don’t want to sew, you may also opt to use hot glue for small pieces. However, when parts are sewn, they tend to be more durable.
FAQs
Can you make a plush without sewing?
Yes, you can definitely make a plush without sewing. If you don’t know how to sew/stitch or use a sewing machine, you can use glue to seal the fabric pieces.
How long does it take to make a plushie?
The length of time you’ll need to make a plushie depends on how complicated your design is or how excellent your skills are. However, if you’re making a simple and just a small animal plush doll with a pre-made pattern, you might finish it in around 45-50 minutes.
So, How Do You Make A Plushie?
To make a plushie, you’ll need to draft a pattern, choose its fabric and stuffing, sew, and design it according to your preferences. Some people think making an animal plush is too difficult, but they didn’t know that you’ll only need a comprehensive guide to follow to make one.
Did you enjoy making your first-ever animal plush using our tutorial? If you did, please take a picture of your custom-made animal plush and comment it down! If you still couldn’t get to finish one, maybe you need inspiration.
Check out Toynk and purchase one fluffy plush toy now!
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Reference:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/polyester
