How to Make a Plushie-The Basics!

Screen Shot 2013-05-02 at 5.07.03 PMThe summer is coming up faster than we know it! And what better way to spend it than learning something new! I am going to teach you how to make the base for your very own plush doll. Once you get the base down, you can add your own flare to your plush and make it super personalized!

What You Need:

– Felt
– Stuffing
– Thread (should match felt colors)
– Needles
– Paper and Pencil
-Scissors
– Buttons (optional)

Screen Shot 2013-05-02 at 5.07.09 PMSteps:

Using your paper and pencil, start drawing your pattern for your plushie. For the head, you want to have a circle with a small ‘tab’ (or neck) at the bottom. For the body, you should draw out the whole body with arms and legs. Make sure to keep both big!
When you have your patterns done, cut your patterns out from the felt. You should have two of each.
Using your patterns, pin them to the felt with one of your needles. I would suggest cutting ¼ inches away from the pattern for seam allowance.
(Optional) If you want buttons for eyes, you need to sew them on one of the sides of the head at this point in time.
After you have your patterns cut out, it is time to start sewing the pieces together. Use a overhead stitch when sewing the two pieces of felt together.
Turn your sewn pieces inside out and start stuff both the head piece and the body piece with the stuffing you have.
Once you have stuffed both pieces, you need to close both of the pieces. For the head, fold the ‘tab’ towards the inside and then sew it together.
To connect the head to body, use a ladder stitch to sew the two pieces together. When it feels like the two will not come apart, tie a knot close to the body.
If you did not add buttons for eyes, you can use a marker or something similar to make a face.

This is the basics for making the body of a plushie! Making clothing and hair for your plushie is pretty easy and there are plenty of tutorials for them online!
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Brittany Klyczek
Viewpoints Contributor

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