I'm back with the rest of the tutorial today. My first attempt with the Silhouette fabric interfacing actually went quite well. But we'll talk about that in a minute. Have you got a pattern ready yet? If not go back to this tutorial and learn how to Make Your own Stuffy Pattern in Silhouette Studio. That tutorial will help you to make something like this:
Hello! So cute!
Now we're going to go ahead and cut out that pattern. NOTE: Please share photos of your projects made from my tutorials on Instagram using #maggiemugginsdesigns. It's always inspiring to see what other people are creating!
SEW YOUR OWN STUFFIE PATTERN
1. Consider Multiple Cuts.
The pattern you created is already grouped into colors. Now you need to think of one more thing. Does anything need to be cut twice. The body needs a front and a back so that one needs to be cut twice. On the Monkey Pattern I chose to do the Hands and Feet on both the front and back - so that needed to be cut twice as well. See below - it is going to look so much better with the extra fabric on both sides instead of just the front!
2. Prepare the fabric.
Click on the object in Silhouette Studio, or the color group and look at the measurements (height and width). Add an inch to each of those measurements and that is how much of each fabric you need to prepare. For the body, which will not need to fuse you can follow apply Fabric Stabilizer to the back of the fabric. Prepare as directed on the package. For the other parts that do need to fuse, you can press HeatnBond to the wrong side of the fabric. Leave the paper on for cutting.
Make sure to pay attention of the direction of the fabric print as you cut it out and iron on the interfacing. You don't want to mess up and have one piece going up and one going down.
{Main Fabric: Erin Michaels for Moda 5 Funky Monkeys Cotton Brown Sock Texture}
3. Cut out the objects from each fabric.
*If you choose not to cut the body on the Silhouette, just print it and cut it out from a double layer of fabric (right sides out on both layers).
I had the settings as follows: Speed - 3, Thickness - 33, Carrier Sheet & Double Cut selected, Pink Tip.
For each fabric, move the objects that you want to cut onto the mat and remove all other ones to the side. (Don't delete them, just drag them off the mat.)
NOTE: If the pattern is not perfectly symmetrical you will need to Horizontally flip the back, as well as those objects that are going on the back.
As you peel back the fabric, be careful, cut the threads that weren't cut through, don't tug or you could rip, fray or warp the fabric. Some fabrics frayed more than others.
4. Align and Iron on the Accessories.
To align the eyes and ears I used the negative to place it. Then I carefully pulled it away BEFORE ironing.
You can play around with the accessories to personalize the pattern, or change the gender.
BOY
GIRL
5. Sew on the Accessories.
Stitch around the edges of the objects you ironed on to secure them. (Yes. I was too lazy to change the color in the bottom bobbin. Just overlook that please.)
6. Sew Body Front and Back together.
Pin right sides together and sew with 1/4" seam (or your preferred seam allowance) around the edge. Leave an opening large enough to pull the fabric through and stuff. On this pattern I left the opening on one side under the arm.
I sewed with the front of the body up so I could see where the ears, bow and mouth were from my stitches and make sure they didn't get caught in the seam.
(Sorry I missed getting pictures for 6-9. You can see photos on this pattern in steps 3-6.)
7. Check the Seams.
On both sides, check that your seams catch the fabric on both sides. Otherwise, you'll have to turn it back inside out or hand sew repairs right away.
8. Trim the Seams and Clip the Curves & Corners.
In tight spots (like arms and legs, trim the seam a little. On the curved areas, clip the seam very near to the thread, repeat a few times around the curve. Also, in sharp corners, clip all the way in to the seam ( be careful not to go too far). This helps the stuffy turn right side out better and the seams look better.
9. Turn the Stuffy Right Side Out.
On tricky pieces (ie. arms and legs on this one) you may need to use a pencil or something that size to help push the piece out, or use a straight pin to grab at it and pull from the outside. Be careful not to push too hard, but be patient and careful as you go.
10. Stuff and Hand Stitch Closed. Stuff your Stuffy, use a pencil if needed to get the stuffing into the smaller details. Sew the opening closed using a Ladder Stitch.
ALL DONE!
I think I will have to make another one ASAP. My boys have been fighting over this one already!