Guide to Stuffed Animal & Soft Toy Making Supplies
Whether you’re making your first soft toy or you’re a seasoned maker, the right supplies make all the difference.
This guide will walk you through the essential materials, helpful tools and specialty supplies to bring your plush creations to life.
Let’s make something cute!
Why Make Your Own Stuffed Animals?
Making your own stuffed animals comes with a host of benefits:
Customization: You can design and create plush toys that perfectly match your vision, down to the smallest detail. Want a purple bunny with sparkly eyes? Go for it!
Personal Connection: There's something special about holding a toy you've made yourself. Whether for a child or as a decorative piece, these handmade creations have a story behind them.
Quality Control: You choose the materials, ensuring your toy is soft, durable, and safe—ideal for little hands or for cuddling on the couch.
Great Gifts: Handmade plushies are the perfect personalized gifts for birthdays, holidays, or just because!
Now, let’s talk about the essential supplies you’ll need to get started on your next plush project.
1. Stuffing & Weighting Materials
Stuffing gives your plush its shape, personality and huggable feel. You can also use weights like poly pellets or beans to add stability to certain designs. Here are some options to consider:
Where to Shop:
Polyester Fiberfill | Poly Pellets | Shredded Memory Foam
Polyester Fiberfill: The most commonly used stuffing, lightweight, soft, and hypoallergenic.
Poly Pellets: Add weight to your toys for a more substantial feel. These are especially useful for making weighted stuffed animals or those with a squishy, bean-bag vibe.
Shredded Memory Foam: This offers a plush, squishy feel with more structure than traditional fiberfill, giving your stuffed animals a unique texture.
2. Animal Eyes & Noses
Safety eyes, noses, and other facial features bring your toys to life. Here are the best options:
Where to Shop:
Safety Eyes | Safety Noses | Felt Sheets
Plastic Safety Eyes: These eyes are perfect for adding that adorable, realistic touch to your creations. Available in various sizes and colors to suit any project.
Safety Nose: A simple plastic nose to add character and expression to your stuffed friends.
Felt Sheets: Cut eye and nose shapes from felt sheets and glue them to the plushies face.
3. Helpful Toy Making Tools
The right tools makes sewing smoother, neater and more enjoyable. These are the tools we reach for again and again when making toys.
Where to Shop:
Safety Eye Tool | Stuffing Tool | Turning Tool
Safety eyes tool: a lifesaver when it comes to installing safety eyes, ensuring they stay securely in place on your toy. It's an essential if you’re planning on making plush toys for kids!
Turning Tool: Very useful when turning small pieces of sewn fabric right side out.
Stuffing Tool: Helps get the stuffing to even the smallest of spaces.
4. Joints and Moving Parts
Add movement and personality with joints and other fun interactive elements. Perfect for all soft toys and stuffed animals.
Where to Shop:
Plastic Toy Safety Joints | Squeakers | Joints & Cotter Pins
Joints Parts: These are perfect for creating jointed arms and legs on your stuffed animals. They allow for movement and make your creations even more interactive.
Squeakers: Add some sound to your plushie!
5. Crochet Thread & Fabric Markers
The details of the face, especially the smile, help bring your plushie to life and give it its personality. Backstitch a smile using crochet thread or embroidery floss or color it in with a fabric marker.
Where to Shop:
Crochet Thread | Fabric Markers
Crotchet thread: Create detailed, backstitched smiles or other facial expressions using crochet thread. It’s the perfect tool to add personality to your stuffed animals!
Fabric markers: Great for adding small details, like stitching lines, freckles, or custom designs, directly to your fabric. Use them to enhance the look of your plushie with fun touches!
New to Sewing?
If you're looking for a simple, fun way to create your own plushie, toy making kits are a fantastic option. Here are a couple of our favorites:
Kullaloo Bestie Bear Kit: This cute and beginner-friendly kit has everything you need to make your own cuddly bear.
Kullaloo Elephant Kit: The perfect kit for making a lovable elephant stuffed toy, complete with materials and instructions.
Where to Shop:
Kullaloo Bestie Bear Kit | Kullaloo Elephant Kit
Making your own stuffed animals and soft toys is a rewarding, creative, and fun way to bring your imagination to life. Whether you’re crafting for yourself, making personalized gifts, or selling your creations, these supplies will set you up for success.
Happy sewing!
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