The cuteness is killing me!
{image credit: Fantastic Toys}
Fantastic Toys have provided a free pattern for the basic cupcake softie and it’s up to you to make your perfect cupcake topping. Pattern and instructions are in pdf format. This one is a great Beginner project. Don’t they look so delicious in a bunch like that!
Go here for details: Plush Cupcake by Fantastic Toys
And yes, their toys truly are fantastic! See them here.
Make a Comment ( 2 so far )This is a comprehensive article providing different ways of making hair for amigurumi (i.e. crocheted softies). I suspect that you could also adapt some of the ideas in the article to knitted or sewn softies.
{image credit: My Gurumi}>
Find it here: How to: Amigurumi Hair by My Gurumi
Further reading:
>> An exceptionally written and detailed amigurumi hair tutorial by Owlishly
Found via Whip Up.
Make a Comment ( None so far )Traci of My House Boutique recently alerted me to her “Sleep Baby Sleep” doll pattern:
{image credit: My House Boutique}
Traci was having some trouble getting her daughter to sleep. Being the resourceful and creative gal that she is, Traci made a doll infused with lavender with the design based on one of her embroidery patterns. She tells me that much sleepy time success followed 
I love this idea - the fact that it combines embroidery, softie-making, and utility!
The pattern is in downloadable pdf format and includes the “Robyn” embroidery pattern.
Click here: Sleep Baby Sleep (Lavender-Infused) Doll by My House Boutique
Make a Comment ( None so far )I recently received an email from Karyn regarding rattles, bells, and squeakers for handmade infant softies. Her question was more about suppliers and in my limited experience, it has been rather hit and miss. I have found rattles and bells at my local Spotlight but no squeakers. If you have any recommendations for suppliers (online or in your local area) of rattles, bells and squeakers that you can insert into soft toys, please do leave them in the comments!
Her email did trigger a related subject in my mind and that is: what is the best method of inserting rattles and bells into soft toys? This is especially important when making softies for infants but safety is key no matter what age the recipient is.
I found this excellent method on Origami Snail’s website for rattles/bells. She uses either a bell or some beads, fishing wire, and a small plastic egg-shaped container.
{image credit: Origami Snail}
She writes:
“To make the rattle you will need a small light hollow plastic container that can be separated into halves (I used the toy container from a Kinder Egg although I am sure that you could get some kind of purpose made thing), a bell or some beads (I re-purposed a few links from a jingly anklet I had around), 8 inches of strong gauge fishing line, and a needle.
Take your bell or beads or what ever and string them on the fishing line such that they hang in the middle of the length. You will have two lengths of line either side.
Poke two holes at the top of one half of your container. Thread each length of line through a hole from the inside and tie a tight knot on the outside of the container so that your beads or whatever hang down.
Make sure that when they hang down on the inside that they have room to move and won’t touch the other end of your container when you put it back together. If they do then it won’t make as nice a noise, especially if you use a bell.
Put the container back together and your rattle is done.”
I would add that the final step is to tape around the plastic container to ensure that it stays shut.
By the way, she also has a free pattern for a very cute amigurumi bunny baby rattle, which incorporates the rattle described above, available here.
If you’ve got any tips on inserting rattles, bells and squeakers, please feel free to leave those in the comments too.
Make a Comment ( 9 so far )Here is an excellent beginner’s project - Plush Duck:
{image credit: Mariska}
The free instructions and template are in downloadable pdf format and are easy to follow. The duck’s body can be made from any fabric and I think it would look especially cute in sherpa fleece or a fuzzy chenille.
Find it here: Plush Duck by Mariska
Mariska is a very talented softie maker and you can see her adorable softie creations on her Fluffels website.
Make a Comment ( None so far )Just a quick post to let you know that SoftieMaking.com now has a little book shop filled with highly recommended softie-making books, categorised into sewn softies, knitted softies, crocheted softies and dolls.
Click the book shop link located on the top menu at any time to get to the book shop or you can drop in now via this link.
Enjoy! And if you have any books to recommend, please feel free to provide details in the comments!
Make a Comment ( None so far )Related to the previous post, Planet June has an article on the different options available for eyes and noses for your softies.
{image credit: Planet June}
Her article is based on her experience with amigurumi softies but the options are also very relevant for sewn softies. She also provides good tips on attaching each type of eye/nose and links to additional resources.
Full article here: Eyes and Noses by Planet June
Make a Comment ( 1 so far )Well, that title up there says it all! Mochimochi has written a very good article on attaching/making eyes for your softies.
{image credit: Mochimochi}
Her article provides the steps on how she attaches plastic safety eyes to a softie; how she sew eyes on using yarn; and her method for embroidering eyes using stranded cotton. The great thing about this article - besides the fantastic accompanying pictures - is that she also notes the pros and cons for each option.
She uses a knitted softie to illustrate the different methods but these same techniques apply to any softie really, whether knitted, crocheted or sewn. The only real difference is when attaching plastic safety eyes to a sewn softie - in my experience it is a good idea to make small slits where the eyes should be and then stitch a small circle or square around them (smaller than the size of the actual eye so that it can’t be seen when the eye is attached) to prevent them from tearing open. Also for sewn toys, you would attach the eyes before stuffing the softie rather than after stuffing as mentioned by Mochimochi for knitted toys.
Read it all here: Eye, Eye: A Tutorial by Mochimochi
Another good article that you might also find helpful in regards to attaching plastic safety eyes for your softies (as many brands of safety eyes that you buy from the craft shop do not include instructions):
>> How to Attach Safety Eyes to Toys by eHow
Make a Comment ( 1 so far )Etsy’s The Storque brings you a very easy to follow and well illustrated free tutorial on how to recycle one of your knitted gloves into a cutie-pie Chipmunk softie:
{image credit: The Storque}
The project is from a new book by Miyako Kanamori, published by Penguin, called “Happy Gloves” - which, as the name suggests, is all about making cute little critters from a humble glove. Miyako also authored the popular softie book, “Sock and Glove“.
Find the project here: Recycled Glove How-to: Make a Chipmunk Softie by The Storque
Found via Craftzine.
Make a Comment ( None so far )Found via Craftzine, if you love embroidery then why not turn them into cute little softies?
{image credit: Pimp Stitch}
The free tutorial is brought to you by Pimp Stitch. These could easily be turned into pin cushions or decorative ornaments. If you’re looking for some embroidery ideas, Pimp Stitch also offers free stitch patterns (see their side-bar).
Find the tutorial here: Embroidered Plush by Pimp Stitch
Make a Comment ( None so far )
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