Have you just discovered tears on some of your child's stuffed animals? Do not be afraid ! It is totaly normal. Even if you pay the greatest attention to your stuffed animals or those of your children, they still risk being damaged, or even torn over time. Luckily, that doesn't always mean the end of the fluff race. Indeed, you can always fix them in several different ways.
So, before throwing them in the trash, give them a second chance and try to refurbish them. Your children will only be happier, because for them, their oldest soft toys are often the most precious. In this article, we invite you to discover, step by step, how to effectively repair your fluff.
Start by assessing the damage of the plush
No matter how well you do the repair, it's impossible to fix a plush toy when the tear is in the fabric. We must not forget that for the youngest, soft toys are comparable to real friends. It is therefore important to repair the plush as best as possible. To do this, you must correctly assess the damage received.
Start by collecting the missing pieces (even if they may seem insignificant to you). In the eyes of your child, these characterize the soft toy and he may no longer recognize it, if he lacks important elements in his eyes.
Feel free to search online for reference images, which may be helpful in repairing the plush. You can also ask your children to help you during all the repair phases.
Empty the plush
This step is not always necessary. However, in some cases it is important to empty the plush before stuffing it again. This can give it a nice shine and washing it will be even easier, if it is required. Normally, the operation is done in the back of the plush, where it was stuffed the first time. You will be able to recognize the exact spot by looking for a suture line that is distinctly wider. You will also notice that at this level, the padding is much easier to remove.
Once you've found that infamous Achilles heel of your stuffed animal, create a small opening in it using a craft knife or just a pair of scissors . On the other hand, if the hole caused by the tear is already large enough, it is better not to create a second opening and to operate instead at this level. Just make sure to sew up the opening properly, after completing the repair.
wash the stuffed animal
To wash the stuffed animal, start by pouring hot water into a large container. Immerse the plush in it and use a mild detergent to avoid damaging the fabric of the plush. By the way, it is also recommended to use fabric softener. Wash and brush the plush gently before rinsing it. Be careful not to rinse it too hard, so that the plush keeps its original shape. To do this, you can simply use a large amount of clean water. After that, let the stuffed animal dry in the sun outdoors.
Reattach the torn parts of a soft toy
Loss of limbs is a common mess with stuffed animals, and chances are that's why you're interested in this article. So be aware that to reattach the limbs of a plush, it is generally advisable to empty the latter. This is explained by the fact that the tear must always be sewn up from the inside , to prevent it from remaining visible from the outside.
When you are about to sew up a limb, feel free to examine the opposite limb to see how it is attached. This will allow you to put the member back where it was and in the same way. However, it is important to note that the complexity of the operation can vary significantly from one plush to another.
As far as we are concerned, we are used to stuffing the plush, being careful not to leave empty spaces. In this way, it can return to its original shape while preserving a certain degree of flexibility. That said, it's almost always more efficient to buy new padding than to use the old one. Old upholstery is often too soft and notorious for its inability to retain shape. If you're trying to repair a tear that sews from the outside, make sure you don't put too much padding on , as this will make the tear wider.
Patch and repair the plush
In order to properly patch your stuffed animal, you must first learn the Ladder Stitch technique. The latter is particularly effective at hiding suture marks , which is a priority for soft toys. Unfortunately, this technique is not sufficient for large tears. It is also necessary to add a piece of fabric to cover the hole and make the operation possible.
Of course, with soft toys, you need to find a fabric that is compatible in texture and color . That said, you can choose a different fabric on purpose, if you want to pass it off as a “ band-aid ”. If you're still undecided, ask your kids. They will tell you exactly what to do.
Adjust plush stuffing
After patching the holes, add more stuffing to give more firmness to the plush. Consider placing large pieces of fabric just below the holes to keep the padding from weighing down the suture. Finally, close the opening you created on the back of the plush, and you're done. You now have a plush that has been repaired and in excellent condition.
Check that the plush is perfectly repaired
When repairing a soft toy, you should always make sure that it is fully restored. It is especially necessary to do it when you repair one which is in a sorry state and is almost covered with holes. Indeed, it may happen that you forget to cover one or two.
Once you have fixed the plush, take this opportunity to wash it. In addition to the undeniable hygienic benefits for your child, the latter may perceive the cleaning of the soft toy as a form of compensation for his new “ scar ” and he will certainly be happy about it. Don't forget to collect the lost stuffing and add some, if the plush has already lost a lot of volume.
Get your kids involved in the repair
Seeing his ripped teddy can be a difficult experience for your children. To help them overcome this ordeal, it is always good to involve them in the repair process. By learning what to do, they are no longer likely to panic if something unfortunate happens to their favorite stuffed animal again.
As if it were a game, ask them to find the holes that you did not fix. If they don't find any, you win! You can also play doctor by covering the stitches you left behind with bandages.
Take out the work tools and invite your children to find the holes in their stuffed animals. Consult them and listen to their suggestions. You may be surprised by their ingenuity. Remember that stuffed animals are their best friends. You can therefore be sure that they will give the maximum, so that the stuffed animals are put back on their feet as quickly as possible.
During all these operations, you have the opportunity to talk to your children about the risks of pollution and the importance of recycling. Another excellent idea is to make them understand that by preserving their stuffed animals for as long as possible, they are helping to protect the environment.
How to limit the risks of tearing the fluff?
All parents in the world have the main goal of ensuring the tranquility and happiness of their children. Thus, they must be careful that no harm comes to them. To do this, they must also help them take care of their favorite stuffed animals.
Unfortunately, despite all the efforts we can make, accidents often remain unavoidable. In this part, we invite you to discover the best tips for preserving soft toys against the risk of tearing.
Have two copies of the same plush
We're going to start with a rather special little tip, because it doesn't really protect the plush. Indeed, here, the idea is to buy a second plush completely identical to the first . Instead of using it as a substitute, when the first is found damaged, it is preferable to use it alternately with this one. In this way, the two soft toys wear out at the same time and it will be difficult to differentiate them, even for your children. This method is quite practical, because it doubles the life of the plush, at least in the eyes of your children.
Keep the stuffed animal at home
The second tip that will allow you to protect your stuffed animals from the risk of tearing is to ensure that they stay at home. Therefore, it is out of the question that your children take them with them, when they go out to play or when they spend the night with their friends or even their grandparents. Such a slogan is certainly difficult to apply, but you should know that the method has already proven itself . That said, a modicum of caution is always in order if you have pets. Dogs and cats are stuffed animals' worst enemies. You must therefore make sure to put them in a safe place before going out.
Do not expose the plush to natural aggressions
Our final tip is to limit the exposure of stuffed animals to water and sunlight. These can significantly affect the fabric and wear it down, making it particularly vulnerable. When washing stuffed animals, be careful not to soak them in water for too long . On the other hand, when you dry them in the sun, take care that they do not remain exposed for too long. It should not be forgotten that children are not always tender with their soft toys and that a simple abrupt gesture can tear them, if they are already worn out.
Like toys, stuffed animals are exposed to countless risks on a daily basis. So, as a parent, or if you have stuffed animals that are close to your heart, it is imperative that you learn how to restore them. The stuffed animals remain rather sensitive and sewing them up requires a minimum of know-how. Do not hesitate to follow the advice presented in this article, to repair yours.
