‘Tis the season and in this consumerist age nothing is better than a homemade gift. With this in mind I thought I would do a series of posts with a few tips for the would be plush makers out there.
There are a wealth of patterns and tutorials online, an excellent place to start if you are new to plush making. The trick is to find a project that matches your skills and your tools.If you don’t have a machine…no problem! Choose a project made from felt which is readily available and easy to sew by hand.
This free tutorial by eleventh monkey for plush skull ornament would be great for a beginner. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, if you’re not sure about skulls on a Christmas tree, save them for Halloween she has other patterns and tutorials to choose from.
Feeling a little more ambitious? Michelle Coffee has patterns that are sure to please in her Etsy store and you will find characters that will appeal to those “oh so hard to shop for” men and teenagers in your life.Now in all honesty I have not watched Dr Who since Tom Baker (yeah you do the math) but in honour of the recent 50th anniversary I am including a photo of one of her Dr Who patterns. She also has a pattern for Dr Who ornaments although personally I am very fond of Kirk and Spock.
If you do have a sewing machine there are even more possibilities out there for you.
Funky Friends Factory make oodles of fun patterns which are suitable for children (and big kids too). In their Etsy store there is a section named “easy patterns” I especially like the snake and imagine you could easily customise it’s length. One of the nice things about their patterns is that they are suited to all kinds of fabrics. You could use printed cottons or fleece, did you know that fleece is made from recycled bottles? You could make your plush even more green by upcycling and old sweater or blanket.
I am a sucker for vintage patterns, I have quite the collection. Vintage patterns from the 50’s and before may not be suitable for the beginner but if you love that retro look you could always work your way up to it. The copyright on many of the older patterns out there has expired and MJ’s Vintage Patterns on Ebay sells photocopies of these patterns. She has a HUGE collection of toy patterns…I am loving this dog.
I don’t know how to crochet…yet… but I can knit and there is something very cosy about spending the evening knitting in the glow of Christmas tree lights. It is impossible to mention toy knitting patterns without mentioning Mochimochi. Anna Hrachovec has had several books published with her super fun patterns. On her blog you will find some free patterns and a link to her store selling books, patterns and kits.I just love her kits for the “tiny” plush. I mean lookit the zombies!!! You can also buy the kits.
I hope that some of you will try your hand at plush making, I would love to hear about it if you do. Happy crafting and Merry Christmas!!
Hey THANKS for sharing my site details with your readers!!! My passion is making plush toy patterns that are as simple but cute. I think up-cycling to make something soft and cuddly from items that would normally end up as landfill is so cool! I LOVED checking out your blog too… 😀
Your patterns are so appealing, I’m sure the readers will love them 🙂