Last week, I started to show you the basic steps of making a stuffed animal. We only got to the cutting and pinning, so today I'll show you how to sew it. To see the beginning steps, click here.
So, when you've cut out the LIMBS ONLY, laying in the order of batting, front piece, and back piece, pinned with the right sides together, sew around the edges, but DO NOT SEW THE SIDE WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE BODY!!!! Don't forget to backstitch. When you've sewn around all but the one side, stop and backstitch again, then cut the thread to release it from the machine. Now we will flip it inside out, (which I guess will be right side out) and add more stuffing if necessary. I didn't, I only used the batting, but if you are making an animal that stands on its legs like a dog or something (one that doesn't have fins) then feel free to add more stuffing.
Tips for Aspiring Crafters: batting and stuffing are two different things. Stuffing is just like free roaming stuffing that would typically be in a stuffed animal. You just pull it apart to the amount you need. Batting is like stuffing in the way it feels, but it is like fabric in the way it comes in a big rectangle and you must cut the shape you want. Be sure to read all labels before making any purchases.
Do the previous steps for all of the limbs such as legs, arms, tails, fins/flippers, etc. and maybe even ears. If the head is not connected, I would also treat the head as a limb, by doing the same steps. Now gather the batting, front, and back fabrics for the body like we did before, but only pin them. So not sew. Now lay the limbs around the body in the spots where you would like them. This part will be easier if you are making fins, because you can just sew it in flat, instead of having to go around the perimeter of each limb, so that it's not just flat over the seam, then pops back out, although you can make it like that if you want.
To sew on fins, or with the flatness as I described above, keep the limb flipped out with the right fabric on the outside, then just open a pinned section on the body where you want it to go, and put it in between the good sides of the fabric, with the opening on the limb on same place as the edges of the fabric. Re pin and sew all of the flat limbs on like that.
To sew on more natural fuller limbs, (such as a head, or anything similar) like I did with the tail, lift up the section between the two good side fabrics, and put the limb inside there, with the opening in line with the hole where you put in in through. Make sure it's not upsidedown or anything. Pin around it, then sew, but not straight across, sew around the hole. This might be hard to sew, so it might be easier to hand stitch these limbs on.
Once you've attached all of your limbs, you should only have one real opening. Use that opening to flip it right side out. My easiest opening was the mouth because you could hide the stitching with the teeth, etc. because the final opening you must hand stitch. Stuff all of your stuffing inside the body now, then pin it closed. Cut some thread like double the length of your opening, (but always cut extra because when you're almost finished and have to start all over because you ran out, you'll be annoyed). I used white thread for my whole project, because half of it is white, but I recommend using whatever color matches your fabric. When you cut the thread, make a knot on one end by wrapping it around two fingers a few times, then sort of 'rub' it off and pull. Now thread it through the needle, and leave the knotted end slightly longer than the other. This part is sort of confusing, but we are hand sewing sort of inside out, so the seams won't be as easily seen. You'll start off by holding the needle inside of the opening, then poking out one side. Then go into the other fabric. You'll need to pull it tight at the end and sort of along the way, but it should be fine. Here are some photos to help you understand how to sew it closed.
Now is the fun part! Add the accessories. For my project it has to look realistic, so I made teeth out of pipe cleaners, and eyes out of pipe cleaners, but you can be creative! I probably would've made a bow or hat or something if it's a teddy bear for a little baby. I really want you to recreate this, because it was so fun to make! Good luck!
Do the previous steps for all of the limbs such as legs, arms, tails, fins/flippers, etc. and maybe even ears. If the head is not connected, I would also treat the head as a limb, by doing the same steps. Now gather the batting, front, and back fabrics for the body like we did before, but only pin them. So not sew. Now lay the limbs around the body in the spots where you would like them. This part will be easier if you are making fins, because you can just sew it in flat, instead of having to go around the perimeter of each limb, so that it's not just flat over the seam, then pops back out, although you can make it like that if you want.
To sew on fins, or with the flatness as I described above, keep the limb flipped out with the right fabric on the outside, then just open a pinned section on the body where you want it to go, and put it in between the good sides of the fabric, with the opening on the limb on same place as the edges of the fabric. Re pin and sew all of the flat limbs on like that.
To sew on more natural fuller limbs, (such as a head, or anything similar) like I did with the tail, lift up the section between the two good side fabrics, and put the limb inside there, with the opening in line with the hole where you put in in through. Make sure it's not upsidedown or anything. Pin around it, then sew, but not straight across, sew around the hole. This might be hard to sew, so it might be easier to hand stitch these limbs on.
Once you've attached all of your limbs, you should only have one real opening. Use that opening to flip it right side out. My easiest opening was the mouth because you could hide the stitching with the teeth, etc. because the final opening you must hand stitch. Stuff all of your stuffing inside the body now, then pin it closed. Cut some thread like double the length of your opening, (but always cut extra because when you're almost finished and have to start all over because you ran out, you'll be annoyed). I used white thread for my whole project, because half of it is white, but I recommend using whatever color matches your fabric. When you cut the thread, make a knot on one end by wrapping it around two fingers a few times, then sort of 'rub' it off and pull. Now thread it through the needle, and leave the knotted end slightly longer than the other. This part is sort of confusing, but we are hand sewing sort of inside out, so the seams won't be as easily seen. You'll start off by holding the needle inside of the opening, then poking out one side. Then go into the other fabric. You'll need to pull it tight at the end and sort of along the way, but it should be fine. Here are some photos to help you understand how to sew it closed.
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