I realize that designing and sewing a stuffed animal may be a new sort of project for many people. If you sew at all you probably already have much of what you'll need to get started and, as I point out in the trailer, you can make beautiful softies from humble materials. But there are…
Where to Buy Wool Felt for Softies and Some Studio Glimpses
As copies of my book are beginning to make their way out into the world I'm going to periodically share some of my favorite sources for the fabrics and supplies you might want to play with while working your way through the projects. First up, a material I used every single day: wool felt. I…
5 Difficulties New Sewing Machine Users Commonly Encounter
Last night I taught Sewing Machine 101 here in town. This is one of my favorite classes to teach. People walk in the door with a sewing machine they got as a gift or inherited from an aunt or bought for themselves with the best of intentions. They’re nervous. Maybe they’ve tried to sew with…
Favorite Tools: The Ball Point Awl
Sometimes success is all about having the right tool for the job. A ball point awl is one of my favorite softie-making tools. Here's how I use it: To free fur from seams. When you sew with faux fur, bits of the fur pile will get caught in the seams. Freeing the fur from the…
All About Polyfil: An Interview with Judy Novella of Fairfield Processing
Some craft supplies are, well, kinda sexy. A pack of vibrant Aurifil thread, an Amy Butler jelly roll, or a display of Martha Stewart irridescent glitter: these are the eye candy of crafters. Poly-Fil? Not so much. It's white and fluffy and comes in a big plastic bag. It may not be the most exciting…
Top 5 Most Useful Thread Types for Sewing Softies
When I sit down to sew a stuffed animal I like to have all the best tools and materials right at my fingertips. Sewing softies isn’t an expensive craft and most of what you need is pretty humble and easy to find: some soft fabrics, a needle and thread, fabric scissors, a marking pen, and…
How to Repair a Stuffed Animal: Replacing Paw Pads
This post is part of “Animal Hospital: Intensive Care for the Intensely Loved,” an occasional series in which I show you how to make common repairs on your child’s favorite stuffed animal. See the first post here. From straightforward fixes, like sewing up a burst seam, to more complex repairs, like replacing paw pads and…
Two Essential Tricks for Sewing Thick Fabrics
Today I I have two great little tips for you that will make sewing softies from plush fabrics easier. Have you ever sat down at the sewing machine with a softie piece pinned and ready to sew only to find that you can hardly fit it under the presser foot? I love to use faux…
How to Repair a Stuffed Animal: Restuffing
This post is part of “Animal Hospital: Intensive Care for the Intensely Loved,” an occasional series in which I show you how to make common repairs on your child’s favorite stuffed animal. From straightforward fixes, like sewing up a burst seam, to more complex repairs, like replacing paw pads and reattaching jointed limbs, my intention…
How to Repair a Special Stuffed Animal: Applying a Patch
When I was a child I had a very special stuffed animal dog named Barnard. He was all brown except for the white lining on his ears and his feet were weighty, like beanbags. I carried Barnard around by one ear while sucking my thumb for…well for more years than I care to admit (Yes,…