Sew Teach and Play Dolls for Lifetime Skills

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Sew Teach & Play dolls: learning through Play

Meet the set of sweet, easy-to-sew teach & play dolls that are sure to be loved childhood companions. A Sleepy time doll and a doll to teach dressing skills are featured in this pattern.

Sleepy Time Dolls

The sleepy time dolls are created to encourage time-for-bed routines.

She’s a cheerful snuggle buddy, complete with a button-on sleeping mask and an adorable stuffed bear to hug during the night. This doll is all about nurturing, making her an ideal companion for your little loved ones to to sleep with happily through the night.

 

Simplicity 3053

Teach & Play Dolls

The teach and play doll in this pack is a fun interactive learning toy, loaded with features designed to help little ones develop their fine motor skills and dexterity.

This doll has removable overalls with a zipper, button pockets, snap and Velcro suspenders. Sewn-in shoes offer a fun way to practice lacing and tying bows. She has hair to braid and to tie with a bow. This doll is all about hands-on learning through play, making it a wonderful gift for young children who are eager to explore and learn new skills.

 

Simplicity 3053

Ready to bring these sweet dolls to life? Gather your fabric, thread, and creative juices, and get started on making these fun companions. If you love to sew dolls, Click here to check out more doll designs by Elaine Heigl Designs.

Sew happiness!

Sew your unique hug-worthy cuddly dolls and critters. Earn smiles!

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​Introducing Hug-Worthy Sewing Patterns by Elaine Heigl Design Introducing two new sewing patterns from Elaine Heigl Designs, perfect for someone who enjoys creating stuffed toys to spread love, smiles, and happiness.

Girl Dolls with Companion Pets

Meet our charming girl dolls, each with a lovable pet by their side. These dolls are pillow-soft, making them perfect for delicious hugs. The pets, crafted from fleece have leashes for added play value. The dolls and pets have expressive appliqué eyes that enhance their friendly character. The dolls, dresses and pets are all super easy to make!

An Additional Bonus…. Easy to sew toys for your dog

The pets in this pack are a favorite toy for my pup. She has many!

​Plump Stuffed Animals

Our second pattern features plump, generously sized stuffed animals that kids will love. Make an animal from minky, fleece, or cotton—or repurpose a quilt full of memories.

These animals are great for imaginative play and creating stories. They will fit right in within the world of favorite dolls and action figures.

I had fun creating short videos featuring these plump pets. For a smile, check out my instagram for some whimsical short videos featuring these these lovable guys. Maybe these videos will inspire someone to try their hand at animation too.

​What is so special about sewing toys?

Creativity and Fun: Mix and match fabrics to create unlimited unique toys.

These are especially fast and easy! Only a few pattern pieces and easy construction

These patterns are perfect for all skill levels. We can’t wait to see your creations, so be sure to share them with us on social media.

Happy sewing!

DIY Toy Patterns: Make Fun and Durable Toys Your Pup Will Love

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If your pup is anything like mine, they can never have enough toys! Whether it’s the noise, the texture, or the way it flops around, there’s always a favorite among the bunch. If you love sewing and want to create something special for your furry friend, I’ve got some great tips and patterns for you.

The Perfect Fabrics

For most dog toys, fleece fabric is a fantastic choice. It’s soft, durable, and easy to work with. Plus, it comes in a variety of colors and patterns, so you can get creative! If you have a larger dog, consider using canvas. It’s tougher and can withstand a lot of rough play.  

Fun Shapes to Sew

I love making toys in fun shapes like dogs, cats, and bears. These designs are not only adorable but also provide different textures and shapes for your pup to enjoy. You can find a variety of sewing patterns available for purchase that are perfect for creating these cute toys. My pup has had hours of play and joy with some of my Simplicity toy designs. They have actually rated highly on the love and play endurance! Maybe becaue they are Mommy-made? Simplicity 9910 includes the cute little dog, cat and bunny below.

Tips for Durability

To ensure your handmade toys last, here are a few tips: Double Stitching: Reinforce the seams by double stitching them. This helps the toy withstand vigorous play. Safe Stuffing: If your dog likes to chew open toys, consider stuffing them with fleece strips instead of traditional stuffing. It’s safer for them to chew on and easier to clean up if they manage to pull it out. No Loose Parts: Avoid adding buttons, beads, or other small parts that can be easily swallowed. Firmly stitch on any appliques for sturdy reinforcement. As with any dog toy, discard or repair any toy if chewed into bits and pieces!

Personal Touches

One of the best things about making your own dog toys is that you make and create what you know your dog likes best. Use fabrics that match your home decor or that are colors and patterns you love. Check out Spoonflower for wonderful print on demand fabrics by Indie designers. You can even add a noisemaker inside if your pup prefers a toy that rattles, squeeks, or has a chime. Check out Etsy for a multitude of choices.

For crackle noises pups love, insert an emply plastic water bottle inside your toy. Be sure to remove the cap and small ring at the opening of the bottle.

For some extra play value, tightly tie a 12″ long fleece strip around your toy’s neck. My pup loves this! She loves using these ties to shake and flop her toys around crazily!

Why DIY?

Making your own dog toys is not only fun but also cost-effective. Plus, it’s a great way to recycle old clothes or fabric scraps. Your pup will appreciate the effort and love you put into making their new favorite toy.

So, gather your materials and get sewing! Your pup is sure to love their new handmade toys, and you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of creating something special just for them.

The cute critters in this pack have been wonderful for my mini 12lb schnauzer. They measure approximately 6″ tall and have weathered plenty of playtime! Super easy to sew. Make an animal using just 2 pattern pieces!

These easy to make stuffed animals measure up to 10″ tall. I think they would be perfect for a large dog in a durable fabric such as canvas. I’m sure my pup would like them as well, but right now shes super happy with the mini animals.
Sew on! Sew happiness!

Sew beautiful bunnies for special seasonal displays and collections

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Sew 24″ lanky bunnies for your seasonal decor! Sew up these beauties using Simplicity pattern 9905.

Spring, summer, fall and winter, these slender bunny girls are designed to bring a touch of whimsy and fashionable greetings to your home. Display your bunny girls with seasonal collections and create playful immersive stories for your family and friends to enjoy. Sew up more dolls and toys to add to the fun!

The stylish slender legs and arms of these bunny girls are what make them so elegant and fashionable. Check out this SEWING TIP for turning slender peices such as doll legs and arms as well as dress ties and straps. This is a sewing aid I use all the time!

Each of these bunny girls has a special accessory to complement the theme of the season. Click the button below to download free PDF patterns and step-by-step instructions for sewing up a tote, basket, mitten, and star.

Enjoy!

accessory patterns

Sew Cute and Cuddly baby animals with blankies

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Introducing Simplcity 9838, our newest collection of adorable cuddly critters – Winter bear, Rosette pup, Wild thing, Sweet bun bun, and Hello bear. These lovable companions are perfect for snuggling up with or adding a touch of whimsy to any room. Each character is made using 2 main pattern pieces and easy to sew. Applique face details add to the variety of animal styles.

Whether you’re a dog lover, a bear enthusiast, a cat person, or a fan of bunnies, there’s a critter for everyone in our collection. Treat yourself or someone special and sew up these charming plush animals and experience the joy they bring. Get ready to fall in love with these adorable critters and sew up a cuddly friend!

Winter bear

Rosette pup

Wild thing

Sweet bun bun

Hello bear

Sew expressive posable pups for entertainment and big cuddles

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Sew up animal biggies with Simplicty 9807 and Simplicity 9583!

These posable characters are designed to be expressive and full of personality. Check out a ruff ruff stop motion video I made on my tablet. Enjoy!

Posable pups

Posable bear, cat and dogs

 

On my “wish-to-do-list” is to experiment with long pile plush, and have a dog groomer do their magic. This is how far I got with the experiment. Keep posted!

For pattern details click the photos below. The pups in pattern 9807 measure 24″ sitting. The dog, cat and bear in pattern 9583 measure 27″ sitting. All perfectly sized for big hugs.