Children love plush toys, but did you know that they have an adult following as well? Adults love to collect them and make them too! Some of the more popular plush toys are monster dolls. They are really so easy to make. Here are some ideas and instructions for making plush toy monster dolls yourself.
Plush Toys Pattern
One option is to go the traditional route and find a pattern for making plush toys in a sewing or craft store or online. This will give you the templates and all directions required to make plush toys. All the guess work is already done.
Another option, which is more appealing in a variety of ways, is to make your own pattern. Draw up a design yourself or, if you have a child in the house, have he or she draw a monster person for you. Take that drawing and enlarge it using a photocopier.
Cut out the design, making one piece for the body and head and a separate piece for an arm and a separate piece for a leg. You should have 3 pieces of your pattern. Tip: You will probably want to make any arms or legs a lot thicker than you may think so it is easier to construct.
Fabric or Felt
If you are new to sewing, making plush toys is much easier to do if making them in felt. You will not need to worry about turning the wrong sides together, sewing and then flipping it right side out. Making plush toys from felt allows you to sew on the outside, with a seam allowance, and not worry about fraying like you would using fabric. There are many color options available in felt and you can get good texture from this material. You may even be able to find limited patterned felt available as well.
Using fabric for plush toys is more professional looking in the quality. You will also find that there is much more selection available in the way of colors, patterns and texture.
Another option is to use a combination of felt and fabric. You may find that using felt for hair is a quick and easy way to do it on plush toy.
Construction
Putting your plush toys together can be a little tricky. First take your fabric and fold it in two. Lay the body/head pattern piece down on the fabric in a place that will not cause too much fabric waste. i.e. an edge. Pin the pattern down to the fabric and cut it out.
Then take the arm pattern piece and cut out 4 of these pieces. You will need to cut out 2 first and then move the arm piece over and cut out 2 more. Do the same for the leg pattern piece. You will end up with 2 pieces of fabric for the body, 4 arms and 4 legs.
Take off the paper pattern pieces and pin the 2 fabric pieces together, making sure the right sides face together. You will see the right side once it is sewn and turned out.
Make the legs and arms first. Sew all around the edges of the legs and arms, but leave about 1/2" seam allowance all along the edges. Also, make sure you leave a space big enough to turn it right side out.
Turn the fabric arms and legs right side out. You may need to use a knitting needle to help poke out any arms and legs that are too skinny. Using fibre fill, stuff the arms and legs.
Take the body piece and carefully place the arms and legs in position, but have the actual arms and legs inserted in between the two body pieces. Pin all along the edges.
At a sewing machine, sew around the edges of your body/head piece (with the legs and arms inside). Be sure and leave about 1/2" all the way around the edges. Also, make sure you leave an opening so that you can turn it right side out when you are finished.
Turn the plush toys right side out and now you are ready to stuff! Fill the monster doll with fibre fill and using a needle and thread, close the opening by sewing it by hand.
Embellishing Plush Toys
There are so many things you can do to decorate or embellish your plush toys.
Face - Make a face for your plush toys using embroidery thread and a needle. You can also simply sew buttons on or paint a face if you prefer.
Hair - Using pieces of yarn, sew some hair onto your plush toy. Alternatively, you could cut out strips of felt and glue or sew it into place as hair.
Clothing - You can make clothing for your plush toys or maybe even find some around in your children's stash.
Accessories - It is fun when plush toys come with accessories. Make eyeglasses by twisting wire into the appropriate shape, make a handbag out of a fabric pouch and ribbon, tie ribbon in the hair, add beads for earrings, make a hat, make felt shoes, knit or crochet a scarf, etc.
When making your own plush toys, you will come to realize that this is an addictive hobby. Even if your first one is not perfect, with practice your handmade plush toys will be wonderful and such fun! Think of all the gifts you could make for friends or loved ones! It would be such a great gag gift to make them in the likeness of the person who is receiving it! Make a little tag with a story about your monster doll to go along with the gift. And don't forget to name them!
