Sew cloth toys - Elaine Heigl Designs

SEW UP A PARTY!

Get festive with party animals.

Using only 2-3 main pattern pieces you can whip up a zoo or circus party with Simplicity 9498.

Make mini crown or cone party hats for your animals and friends. Nice for party favors!

Party! Party!

Fun fabrics were specially designed for these party animals. All availble at Spoonflower.com, a great source for indie designs.

Make these critters in fleece, knits, low pile plush, or cotton prints …all good!

Create a party environment for everyday fun.

Make and decorate a crown or ruffle headband. Great for party favors!

Create decorative patches and letters for banners using paper backed fusible web.

Click photos below for links to instructions and patterns.

MAKE AN HEIRLOOM BEAR

by elaine

This bear pattern was created to be a forever bear, a family heirloom for generations to come.

So many possibilities to make that extra special one-of-a kind bear: repurpose clothing or blankets full of memories… machine or hand embroider special details.

Find great possibilities to repurpose at thrift and consignment shops. This bear body pattern fitted quite neatly within a tweedy chunky sweater.

Here’s a close up of the one-of-a-kind bear made using a thrift shop sweater!

Heirloom details are machine embroidered on easy to sew clothing. Hand crafted embroidery details or fabric pens would be wonderful for detailing as well. Embroider a favorite message or blessing.

Make one of these lovable huggables, your legacy for generations to come!

SEW UP SOME BESTIES!

by elaine

Have fun styling and sewing take-everywhere-friends for someone dear to your heart. Make these besties with Simplicity pattern 9440.

The clothing for these dolls is so easy to make. Perfect for a shared project with a young stitcher. For additional creativity, 18″ doll clothing patterns can be adjusted to fit these boys and girls. Have fun being a fashion designer!

Some fabric prints were designed especially for these doll friends. They can be viewed and purchased at the print-on-demand site Spoonflower.com.

Sew fun! Sew playthings! Elaine

STITCH UP BABY’S FIRST LOVIE DOLL

by elaine

This sweet 17″ doll is designed to be a first doll for an infant. This lovie goes from day to night with a little mask with sleeping eyes. A perfect prop to start good bedtime habits with a lovie, story and a lullaby.

Make this huggable doll from a cut&sew fabric fat quarter panel of organic cotton knit or fleece. Make simple clothing as your child grows and is ready to learn to dress up their bedtime friend. Pick up some free wardrobe patterns on this site!

Yarn braids, bangs or Pom Pom ponytails are fun add-ons too!

Sew sweet! E

ORDER CUT AND SEW PINK DOLL

ORDER CUT AND SEW BLUE DOLL

DOLL INSTRUCTIONS

HAVE A HEART! An easy sew

by elaine

SEW EASY ONE PIECE PATTERNS

Sew up sweet little hearts in two sizes! This quick and easy sewing project is perfect for a brand new stitcher to take a sewing machine for a little spin! If you are an experienced stitcher, this is a nice little project to introduce sewing to someone who is curious to start.

To begin this project, download the pdf pattern with instructions. Gather some fabric and stuffing. You just need some basic tools and equipment to start sewing.

SWEET HEART PATTERN

INSTRUCTIONS

CUT & SEW DOLL

YOUR UNIQUE HEART

Customize and decorate your heart with iron on transfers. Use a favorite photo or hand drawn art for that personal touch

Paper backed fusible web is a notion that may spark a lot of ideas for you. Have fun with this!

BE INSPIRED!

Hearts are a simple shape for an expression of love and friendship. A perfect mini gift for any day of the year. Make simple hearts or embellish. Embroider, add drawings or autographs… let your imagination go! Check out my pinterest board, hearts, for inspiration.

These sweet hearts are sized to accessorize the 17″ PLUSHLIFE dolls and animals.

Here are more cloth toys to accessorize with an autographed heart.

If you make a sweet heart using this pattern, we would love it if you share a photo and story on instagram with: #sewingsweethearts . We look forward to seeing you there!

MORE!

If you enjoy one piece patterns for a quick sew or to mentor a new stitcher, check out these:

SEW EASY bow tie clip

SEW EASY petite pincushion.

SEW EASY cutie stocking

BE A SEW AND SEW! ELAINE

Yarn hairdos for cloth dolls: Five techniques to try!

by elaine

Designing a hairdo for a cloth doll is one important component for creating the unique beauty, cuteness, or character of your doll. There are so many techniques to consider when developing a yarn hairstyle for a cloth doll. Below are a few for you to consider. Use one technique or combine.

You can be traditional or nutty. Be inventive! So many varieties of yarn colors, textures and weights to consider when designing your doll!

SO LET’S GET STARTED! GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

In addition to your doll body, have a glue gun, thread and needle and one skein of yarn. A standard 4 ply yarn is good for experimenting and a first time experience.

ESTABLISH A HAIRLINE

For all hair design techniques, mark a hairline on your doll.

Tip: Keep all pins raised, so that you can remove all of them upon completion of your hair design.