Have you always dreamed of creating your own plush toy but have no idea how to go about it? Don't panic: La Pelucherie, a plush toy expert for decades, will explain everything! Learn here how to make a 100% homemade plush toy!
Also Read: How to Repair a Torn Plush Toy or Comforter?
Why create your own plush toy?
Plush toys are essential toys for children. They are a development and communication tool for both babies and older children.
With their unparalleled appeal, plush toys are a source of comfort, calm, and security for little ones. They also often act as a bridge between parents and children, providing reassuring companionship during absence or separation.
Finally, plush toys are also very popular with adults and are even among the favorite gifts for Valentine's Day!
Making your own plush toy or one for your children allows you to design one that exactly matches your tastes. You can choose the shape, material, size, colors, and details of your plush toy to make it truly unique and a reflection of yourself.
Furthermore, making plush toys is a creative and fun activity, enjoyed by both children and adults. It's an opportunity to develop manual skills, express creativity, and let your imagination run wild.
Plush toy manufacturing, an artisanal skill
For plush toys to perfectly fulfill their affectionate, soft, and cuddly roles, it is essential to take great care in their manufacturing.
Every step of the process must be carried out meticulously, from design to creation, including the choice of materials and final assembly. Making plush toys by hand is a true artisanal skill, centuries old!
At La Pelucherie, all our plush toys are designed in France, then handmade in our workshops in Italy. To learn more about the manufacturing of our exceptional plush toys, click here!
Also Read: How to Recognize a High-Quality Plush Toy?
What types of plush toys can you make?
Whether you're a beginner or a skilled seamstress, making your own plush toy is not rocket science. But to simplify things, it's best to choose certain elements that will make up your creation beforehand, including its shape, color, fabric, details, etc.
Start by drawing your dream plush toy or get inspiration from plush toy models available online.
Then, adapt your plush toy to your tastes and colors!
Also Read: 5 Tips for Washing Your Plush Toy.
What fabrics to choose for making your plush toy?
The first thing to do is gather all the necessary materials to create the plush toy.
The fabric will be the main element and greatly influences the quality of the finish and the strength of the seams of the plush toy. Many materials give the object an incomparable softness, such as cotton, fleece, molleton, jersey, and polyester.
To create a plush toy for a baby, it is more sensible to avoid overly hairy, pilling, and fibrous fabrics that pose risks of skin reactions and allergies. Prioritize natural, organic, and hypoallergenic materials.
And of course, opt for water-washable materials!
Lightweight Fleece
Lightweight fleece is a flexible and soft fabric that allows you to make soft, durable, and washable plush toys. Plus, it's very easy to sew!
Molleton and Jersey
You can use old molleton or jersey clothing (T-shirts, pajamas, etc.). The material is ideal for babies because it already absorbs familiar smells that they will appreciate more.
In addition, its stretchy property makes assembly and sewing easier.
Terry Velour
Soft and plush, terry velour is highly valued for making cozy plush toys. It is a hypoallergenic material that does not retain dust.
Stretchy and delicate, this material is reserved for older children who will take good care of their companion.
Faux Fur
Faux fur is a synthetic imitation of animal fur. It is generally soft and pleasant to the touch.
It is the ideal material for making teddy bears or other furry animals. Of good quality, it benefits from good hair regularity. However, make sure that the hairs do not detach easily, at the risk of your child swallowing them.
Cotton
This material is the most popular for creating a decorative comforter. It allows you to embellish and add charm to your child's room, while offering them a toy that is pleasant to the touch and easy to wash.
The advantage of this type of fabric is that it can accommodate a wide range of colors and patterns. Opt for molleton, soft and faded denim, corduroy, cotton velvet, or cotton jersey for little ones. It will be even better with organic cotton.
The Oeko-Tex Label
Oeko-Tex labeled fabrics offer many advantages for plush toy manufacturing. This label guarantees quality, eco-friendly products that are free from harmful substances.
Oeko-Tex fabrics do not irritate the sensitive skin of babies and young children.
What stuffing to use for creating a plush toy?
Another essential material for creating plush toys is the stuffing. This is what makes your plush toys plump! And here again, there are several options.
Polyester fiber is the most commonly used stuffing material for plush toys. It is hypoallergenic, non-toxic, extremely durable, and machine washable.
Cotton stuffing is soft and comfortable, but can lose its shape over time. It is generally used in high-quality plush toys.
Wool, although not as commonly used, is an ecological and natural choice for stuffing your plush toys. However, it can be allergenic.
Plastic microbeads and plastic pellets are often used to add weight to plush toys. But their environmental impact is disastrous, and they can pose health risks for young children.
For more responsible alternatives, you can add weight to your homemade plush toys by adding rice or semolina!
Finally, think upcycling: you can stuff your homemade plush toys with pieces of old clothes or fabrics.
The necessary equipment for crafting
You now have the fabric and stuffing for making your plush toys. But before you start, certain accessories are essential for creating your plush toys at home:
- Sewing thread
Needles A sewing machine (optional)A pair of sewing scissorsA glue gunButtons or other (for eyes, nose, etc.)
How to make a plush toy: The steps to follow
After gathering all the necessary materials and equipment, let's get to the heart of the matter: making your plush toy.
Also Read: How to Find the Perfect Baby Comforter!
1. Create and cut out the pattern
As with all sewing creations, it is necessary to trace a pattern to have in mind the design, shape, and size of your plush toy.
This step consists of sketching the design of your future plush toy on paper. Then, trace the image onto the fabric so you can cut it out.
2. Work on the body and face of your plush toy
Depending on your choice, the body of the plush toy can be a small fabric square (the simple version) or a real, fully plush body (the expert version!).
Once the body and face are precisely cut, add the small pieces and details like the nose, eyes, arms, legs, feet, hat, ears, horns, tail, etc.
Mark the placement of the different elements in advance to avoid mistakes. These elements can be sewn by hand or machine. There is no specific style to recommend. A straight stitch will do. Don't hesitate to use fabric glue.
Also Read: Where and How to Donate Your Old Plush Toys in France?
3. Move on to stuffing
When you start stuffing the plush toy, always begin with the farthest extremities, such as the arms and legs. Use a long, thin tool, like the handle of a wooden spoon or a crochet hook, to push the stuffing into these hard-to-reach areas.
You can then move on to the body. Make sure to distribute the stuffing evenly to avoid lumps.
It is important not to over-stuff the plush toy, as it would become too rigid.
4. Close the plush toy!
Once you are satisfied with the stuffing, you can close the plush toy.
Also Read: 8 Creative Ideas to Recycle Your Old Plush Toys!
5. Final adjustments
After closing your plush toy, give it a good squeeze and shape to distribute the stuffing evenly.
If you find areas that seem too empty or too full, make adjustments by reopening the plush toy and adding or removing stuffing.
It's best to stuff the plush toy little by little and regularly check its shape and firmness. This allows you to make adjustments as you go.
Making your own plush toy doesn't require expert sewing skills. Be creative, inventive, and most importantly, patient! A first plush toy may require several attempts before being perfect.
Also Read: How to Wrap a Plush Toy?
Did this make you want to create your own plush toy? Tell us in the comments what it will look like!