Sew toys: 9 tips for success
These tips are great automatic habits to have when sewing a doll, stuffed animal or a PLUSH LIFE® bear. These few tips will help you achieve your personal best results every time.
If you are looking for a good start up toy project to sew, check out the super easy 2-piece animal patterns by Elaine Heigl Designs for Simplicity. Millions of 2 piece animal patterns have sold around the world. Their popularity is due to the simplicity of the construction with great results. If you haven’t made one or two already, consider sewing up a few! The PLUSH LIFE® bear is a similarly designed easy-to-sew project that can be sewn up within an hour.
Set up for a happy sewing experience
On the ready: handy tools
These little tools are great to always have nearby when sewing.
A long needle is a helpful aid to help guide fabric when stitching tight curves and corners, or something with a little bulk. A long needle is great for some extra precision.
Clipping scissors are good to have at hand to cut threads after stitching a seam. The set shown is my personal fave!
Visual guide for 1/4” seams
It’s important to have a good visual guide to view a seam width. You can use a special foot for 1/4” seams, or you can mark a visual guide with a piece of white tape. With a visual guide you will always be sure that your seam is the proper width.
Sewing curves and corners, oh my!
Mark pivot points and dart
When you stitch your very first bear, you may want these handy target marks. With experience, you may not need to do this anymore. Up to you!
Stitching a corner or a curve
Stitch up to target mark, insert needle, lift foot, pivot fabric, lower foot, continue!
When stitching a curve, stitch several stitches, pivot, repeat. You will get the feel for this with a little practice.
Clip curves and corners
This is a must! Clip into corners and curves as shown. This allows the toy to turn to the outside smoothly.
Clip, clip!
For seams with outer curves, little pie shape clips help to reduce bulk.
Some extra good habits for sewing excellence!
Hold thread ends when starting to stitch
This is a valuable tip that I learned from a quilter. This is a really important habit to have when you stitch 1/4” seams!
When you start stitching a seam, hold the thread ends firmly, but do not pull. Once you have moved forward a few stitches you may need to gently pull the thread ends to assist moving the project along.
That long needle is a helpful guide
Some places a long needle is just so handy! Once you start using it, you will be happy it’s always sitting nearby.
When sewing plush fabric, a long needle is super handy! Observe this demo to see how.
PINNING
When pinning pieces together, it’s a good habit to pin corners and notches together first.
The printed sides of fabric face inside, unless otherwise specified.
Avoid stitching over pins if you can, so try to remove them as you sew. Always give a final check to make sure all pins are removed upon project completion.
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ACTION!
Ready to start? Here are some videos to check out.
“Cut it out” is a short demo showing the Cut&sew panel being cut out.
“Stuff it” is a demo about stuffiing a plush animal.
Enjoy!
Check out these videos to vew cutting and stuffing technique.
If doll making is your preference, check out this post, Doll Design: create yours!
Sew happy! E