If you want to get into making plushies and you don’t know where to start, here are five awesome patterns suitable for beginners!
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In the early days of the Covid pandemic I, like so many others, found myself bored while stuck inside my apartment. And, like so many others, I decided to take up a new hobby.
While some people began baking bread, others, like me, settled in at our sewing machines. My sewing machine had gone untouched for years—it had been gifted to me in 2005, and I tried to make a dress and failed. I pulled it out again in 2012, again to make a dress. (You’d think I’d have learned from the first attempt that maybe this isn’t the type of project to learn how to sew with.) It wasn’t a total fail, but it wasn’t a win either.
Then the poor machine sat untouched pretty much until 2020. I was in grad school at the time and stuck in my apartment.
Scrolling through Etsy for inspiration, I came across a sewing pattern that amused me immensely. It was for an old-timey “plague doctor” plushie. I was working on my master’s degree in history, and have always had a fascination with the mildly dark and creepy. (My master’s project was on missing women in the early 20th century, so, I definitely don’t gravitate towards light, cheery topics.)
Anyway, the plague doctor pattern in question was from CholyKnight, who has rapidly become one of my absolute favorite plushie pattern designers. And while I wouldn’t recommend a beginner start with this exact project because I was in way over my head and had to start again too many times to count, the only reason I did eventually complete it—and go on to make many, many more!—was because CholyKnight’s patterns are so phenomenal. (You can check out the pattern in question by clicking here!)
Why Start Making Plushies?
I got this question a lot when I started sewing plushies. I was 30 at the time, and some people saw this hobby as a little… juvenile. But I disagree!
Plushies make great gifts—and not just for kids! I’ve given tons of plushies to my mom, my friends, and just to random people for the fun of it.
Of course, I’ve made them for kids too. Baby showers, Christmases, birthdays, etc. And, as expected, kids love them too.
But don’t think you have to sew just for other people! You can make plushies for yourself too. In fact, I encourage it! We all deserve to have something soft and cuddly if we want it.
Supplies & Tools You’ll Need to Get Started Making Plushies
Most of the plushies on this list recommend the use of a sewing machine, except the Gingermelon plush which is sewn by hand.
You can hand-sew the other plushies on the list if you want to, but I recommend the sewing machine method. It’s much quicker and generally makes for sturdier dolls. (Unless you are already an exceptional hand-sewer, of course!)
If you don’t have a sewing machine yet or are looking for a new one, I recommend this one. It’s the machine I have and I use it often. I’ve had it for about a year and a half, and haven’t had a single issue with it. It’s the machine I’ve used to make several of the plushies on this list!
Other things you might need when making plushies include:
- Scissors. I recommend fabric scissors because they’re much sharper and it makes working with fabric easier.
- Your pattern. Print it out on cardstock if you can; then it’ll last you longer and be easier to trace around.
- A rotary cutter and cutting mat. Not necessarily a requirement, but I find that I use these things a LOT in my sewing projects.
- Needles. Even if you’re sewing by machine you’ll need a few hand needles to close up your plush after you stuff them.
- Plush/Fill. Something you don’t want to skimp on if you’re going for a long-lasting toy is the fill you use. I love Poly-fil because it is machine washable. This is a huge perk when it comes to plushies, it means you can toss the whole toy into the washing machine instead of spot-cleaning if the fabric is also washable. (I use this one.)
- Thread. Like with everything else, you’ll ideally use something strong and durable. I prefer Guterman thread (like this), although I also use Coats & Clark a fair bit. Some plushie patterns also call for embroidery thread for adding details like faces or decoration.
- Various Findings. Some plushie patterns recommend findings like safety eyes or other little pieces. I generally order my safety eyes from Gingermelon.
- Fabric. See below for more details on the fabrics I use/what works for me!
Fabric
You’ll also need fabric, of course! Each pattern will tell you what fabric they recommend. For Gingermelon patterns, I tend to use felt. You can order felt directly from Gingermelon; the quality is incredible. (Click here to check out Gingermelon’s selection of beautiful merino wool felt.) I’ve also ordered felt from DandelionFabrics on Etsy and highly recommend them. (Click here to check out what they have to offer.) You can, of course, also grab felt sheets from craft stores and even various dollar stores. However, if you’re making toys that are meant to last, I’d recommend getting thicker, quality felt like through Gingermelon or DandelionFabrics.
The other two fabrics I use a lot are minky fabric—you’ll see this is the fabric of choice for CholyKnight’s patterns!—and fleece. I buy both from my local Fabricland store, but you can find them anywhere you buy fabric.
I will caution that minky fabric can be difficult to work with at first. When I started making sewn plush, I started with fleece because it was a bit more forgiving. However, the way minky and fleece stretch is quite different, so you’ll want to take that into account when you’re working.
You can also use cotton, linen, and other fabrics.
The biggest thing to keep in mind is the end use of the plushie you’re making. Is it going to sit on a shelf and look pretty? Or is it going to be gifted to someone, like a baby or a child? How much the plush will be played with should factor into which fabric you’ll use. Is it washable? Durable? Safe for children?
With all that in mind, let’s get into the patterns!
01. Choly Knight’s “Start Pack Plush” FREE Patterns
CholyKnight makes some of my favorite plushie patterns. This is a really great one to start with (and it’s free!) if you’re new to plush making. CholyKnight’s instructions are incredibly thorough and well laid out, and even a beginner can put together a really cute plushie. Plus she has patterns suitable for all experience levels, so when you feel comfortable with plush creation you can move on to more difficult projects!
02. Gingermelon’s “My Sweet Pony” Pattern
Gingermelon patterns were some of the first patterns I attempted when I started sewing. I started with her doll patterns, but these adorable ponies were next. I made a bunch to give away; it was a great excuse to keep making them. (Not that you need an excuse!) Although I don’t do much hand-sewing these days (I’m too impatient!), I still recommend these patterns to anyone getting started.
03. Bonpattern’s “Bunny With Overalls” Plush Pattern
This bunny makes such a wonderful gift for a new baby or a child’s birthday. (Or as a project for yourself, I don’t judge!) Plus the eyes and notes are embroidered on, so there are no small parts that could be dangerous to a young child. It looks gorgeous with linen, but I’ve made it with a really soft cotton and it turned out beautifully.
04. StudioSerenPatterns’ “Mouse” Plush Pattern
I’m an absolute sucker for anthropomorphic animal plushies. Mice, bunnies, dogs, cats, dressed up in cute clothes? You really can’t go wrong. Like the pattern above, because the facial features are sewn on and there are no small parts, these little mice are great for kids.
05. JaneMagicCraft’s “Frog and Snail” Plush Pattern
I really, really love this pattern. It’s cute, simple, and easy to assemble. This one does have small pieces (the frog’s safety eyes and the snail’s little bead eyes) but you could hand embroider these eyes instead if you’d like to create something with no small parts.
You can make amazing plushies too!
I’ve found a lot of joy in making plushies. Sometimes I make them with a specific recipient in mind, other times I make them just because I want to try a new pattern. I love giving them away, particularly as “just because” gifts. People love receiving them.
I’ll do another post soon with more “advanced” plushie projects, but if you’re just getting into plush-making these are some great patterns to get started with.
Let me know in the comments which plushies you’ve made/will make! And post your gorgeous creations on Instagram using the hashtags #theserialcreative #plushiemaking #plushdiys
Looking forward to seeing what you make!
For more fun projects you can make, check out my Crafts & Hobbies archive of posts and my free pattern posts.
