How to muddle through #1: Tutorial: How to Make plush toys for babies

Some time ago I bought this fabric from Ikea. It is rather funny as it has plenty of animals drawn. I have already done many things with it. But for sure what has been more successful has been this plush toys for babies. And, how is that babies love it so much? There is a trick! If you read till the end, I will show you all the little details on it!

** A lion made with fabric, it makes noise when shaking**

** A camel that is soft and makes noise when shaking**

** An “elephant” (Some people says it is a mouse, but it has a trunk ..<) that has little balls inside and makes zing-zing when shaked!**

This plush toys for babies are really easy to made: even for not initiated! Hope you stay with me making them!

How to Make plush toys for babies

{Material:}

– Fabric with animal motives ( or other interesting motives, like cars, robots,…)
– Fabric for the back of the plush toy (a solid fabric will work wonderful)
– Thread, sewing needle (or a sewing machine) and pinning needles.
– Filling (cotton or polypropylene little balls)
– Plastic bag, those that make noise on shaking them, but not to thick!
– A rattle

Both, for the camel and the lion I followed these steps (the elephant has been easier, as it doen’t has the plastic layer):

{Main steps}

Step 1) Cut out the animal from the fabric, leave some extra fabric all around.

Step 2) Lay the plastic bag on a flat surface. Put over the back fabric with the front facing up.

** Tip for not initiated one: if you are not able to tell wich is the front or the back of the fabric, then it doen’t matter wich side you put facing up!! **

On the top put the fabric animal, with the wrong side facing up. Center it so there is some extra back fabric and plastic showing from all the sides. Pin the three layers.

** Step 2: Pile up the three layers on the right order and pin it.**

Step 3) Sew following the animal shape. Let about 5 cm without sewing. I recommend to choose a straight part (so it will get easier to sew latter).

** Step 3: Sew all around, leaving a part not sewn. If sewed with the machine, make a know on both extremes**

Step 4) Cut out all around the figure, leaving about 5mm margin. On the more curvy zones (curves with less than 120º), make a zig-zag cutting out. Observe the image to see what I am talking about:

** Step 4: Cut out all around, making a zig-zag on the curvy zones**

Step 5) Use the part not sewn to turn over the plush toy. If you have difficulties on the smaller parts, use a pen or a crochet. If wanted, fill the plush toy with porexpan little balls or with cotton. You can also put a bell on it.

Step 6) Close the opening using invisible stitches. That is, joining both sides with small stitches on the fabrics border of both sides.

That it is! You have a plush toy for babies made! Sure your baby will love it! Or maybe your neighbor daughter or your cousin! All babies love toys that make noise when shaked! (and the noise is not earbreaking!!)

** Once upon the time there was a camel walking on the desert…..**

Hope you liked it. If you decide to make some, I will love to see how beautiful is your result! And I will publish a picture of your results!

I published this post here.