Sewing Stuffed Animals: Tips and Tricks?

Dear users, dear authors,
What tips and tricks are there for sewing stuffed animals?

I recommend sewing teddy bears together by hand, because that makes them softer and, most importantly, you can still shape the head as you go. Plus, I think hand-sewn plush toys have more texture and character. I use the overcast stitch when sewing by hand.
If you want to sew them together by machine, you should baste the pieces first, because plush fabric has a nasty habit of shifting around under the presser foot.
For these short-haired Kulaloop plush toys, I also sew by machine, but I pin the pieces together very closely. What’s important with plush and all pile fabrics is to pay attention to the direction of the pile, so you don’t end up with one side brushing upward and the other downward; if anything, it should all go in one direction.
A teddy bear sewn by hand is a very personal gift when you’re giving it away, which is why I take a very close look at the people who’ll be receiving one—because, at least for me, I always put my heart and soul into it.
Sammy, whom I’ve already introduced here, wasn’t just sewn by hand—despite his size—I had also designed the pattern myself.


Best regards, Inge

I think it depends on the complexity of the sewing pattern. Two-dimensional stuffed animals, in particular, are easy to sew on a machine.
I’d recommend transferring the seam line onto the fabric and then sewing exactly along it—that’s easier and more precise than working with the seam allowance. Only after sewing should you cut out the toy and neaten the seam allowance.
A shorter stitch length makes it easier to navigate curves; to do this, sew slowly and rotate the piece bit by bit under the presser foot (leave the needle in the fabric, raise the foot, and continue rotating the piece).