A simple stuffed animal can be a favorite toy for a child, especially if someone special makes it as a gift. There are patterns available to purchase, but you can make your own and create a unique gift by following a few basic steps.
Instructions
1. Determine if the toy is age appropriate for the child. If you're making it for a young child, consider choking hazards and embroider the features. If it's for an older child, use buttons and beads.
2. Choose a fabric. If the stuffed toy will have frequent launderings, use a sturdy, color safe fabric. If it's for display, a more decorative fabric might be a good choice.
3. Create a pattern by making a simple line drawing of the shape of the animal. A teddy bear or a gingerbread person makes a good first project. To get both sides equal, draw one complete side then draw a straight line from the top to the bottom for the fold line. When you place the pattern on the fold of the fabric and cut it out, both sides will be the same.
4. Double your fabric over with wrong sides together, pin your pattern in place and cut it out. You'll need a front and a back.
5. Join the front and back with right sides together, pin in place and sew them together, leaving a 2-inch opening for turning. Turn right side out.
6. Stuff polyester fiberfill through the 2-inch opening. Stuffing the animal firmly will give it more structure; packing it loosely will make it softer and more cuddly.
7. Whipstitch the 2-inch opening closed. Sew or paint facial features to finish your stuffed animal.
Tags: 2-inch opening, both sides, front back, sides together