How to stuff stuffed animals?
Soft toys are the most coveted cuddly toys for children and adults alike. Whether it's telling stories, sleeping, or sharing fun games, stuffed animals play an important role in a child's life. If you want to give a gift to a loved one and also want to make a soft toy yourself, then the filling step is very important and cannot be improvised. Sewing stuffed animals is great, but you still need to know how to stuff them! Indeed, just like sewing, upholstery has its own techniques, which we will examine together so that you can get started.
- What materials are used to fill your stuffed animals?
- Tips for Stuffing Stuffed Toys
- Summary of Stuffed Toy Stuffing Methods
What materials are used to fill your stuffed animals?
Polyester fleece, cotton, fabric scraps, wood fiber, carded wool and pellets are the main materials used to stuff plush toys.
Before stuffing a soft toy, you first need to know what type of material you want to stuff your soft toy with! There are several types, but there are 6 materials that are mainly used to fill soft toys.
Fill your plush toy with polyester
polyester cotton
Unlike expanded polystyrene, polyester wadding is made from 100% polyester fibers. Most of its ingredients are recycled and are neither toxic nor allergenic. Today, polyester fiberfill is often used to make giant teddy bears, quilts, or other stuffed animals. Be careful to choose carefully because there are different types of toppings:
lightweight cotton fleece
heavy filling
elastic cotton
Expanded cotton
There are many more, but here we are talking about the main fillings for handmade soft toys. The stuffing is a washable material, so you will have no problem cleaning your stuffed animal. In addition, the polyester filling adapts well to the shape of the plush, making it soft to the touch. One of the best materials for stuffing plush toys!
cotton
One of the most commonly used fillers with polyester. Cotton is naturally odorless, breathable and machine washable at temperatures up to 40°, making it the ideal material for stuffed animals. At Peluchemania, most of our giant teddy bears are stuffed with cotton and are hypoallergenic. Perfect for cuddling your stuffed animal!
fabric scraps
Fabric scraps are the best way to make stuffing for your stuffed animal without spending a dime! It's an economical and ecological way to recycle old clothes. If you have a sweater or pants that you haven't worn in a while, it can be fun to repurpose them to stuff your stuffed animals. Simply cut into small cubes and put them together for a compact result.
fabric scraps
carded wool
Natural and durable carded wool is perfect for stuffing your stuffed animals. Carding is the act of untangling pure sheep's wool with a comb or other tool. The only downside to carded wool is that it cannot be machine washed, as this will cause it to be distributed unevenly, which could distort your stuffed animal over time.
Wood fiber
Wood fiber is also a natural material that you can use to stuff stuffed animals. This material is mainly used in old and retro soft toys.
particles
You can also use pellets to stuff your stuffed animal. They are made of high quality material and come in small white plastic balls approximately 3mm in diameter, depending on what size you get (large or small). Place some on your feet or hands to emphasize weight, or if you want the bear to sit on the floor, on a piece of furniture or in a window, you can place some on its butt. Concerning washing, the pellets can be washed at a water temperature of 40° but can be machine washed up to a water temperature of 60°. Pellets are also ideal for reducing lint weight.
Stuffed Animal Tips
To stuff a soft toy, you must first cut the stuffing into small pieces using one of the materials above. Next, make sure to fill each end well to avoid holes in certain parts, especially if you want your plush toy to be sturdy. On the other hand, if you want soft plush, don't overfill all the corners. The idea is to distribute the filling evenly throughout the plush to prevent it from falling out. There are bumps in some places that may distort your plush toy. You can do this by touching a part that is too narrow for your hands, such as the ear of a stuffed animal, with your hand or a blunt stick. Finally, add more stuffing when closing the stuffed animal to make it easier.
If you choose to stuff your plush toy with non-machine washable materials, we recommend that you read our article on cleaning your plush toy, which will explain the different steps to follow.
giant teddy bear
How much filler do I need for my plush toy?
For a 50cm long soft toy you will need around 200g of filling. Of course, this can vary depending on various factors. The following table can help you choose the amount of plush you need based on the size of your plush toy:
Plush filling quantity
40 to 50 cm 200 g of filling
90 to 100 cm 400 g of filling
140 to 150 cm
Topping 600 g
190 to 200cm
800g of garnish
The amount of filler needed is an approximation as it also varies depending on the type of plush you want (fluffy, firm).
Summary: How to fill a stuffed animal
Stuff your stuffed animal
From selecting materials to stuffing the plush toy, every step of the process is important to ultimately creating a beautiful plush toy. Depending on the purpose and the recipient, the choice of material is crucial. For example, if a soft toy is intended for children, we will be more likely to choose cotton or polyester fiber filling. At Peluchemania, all our giant teddy bears are made from cotton and polyester, making them soft, non-toxic and odorless. Perfect for thousands of cuddles!
And there you have it, you know the secret of stuffed animals! Practice these techniques today! And don’t hesitate to go to our DIY section to find the raw materials that will give free rein to your imagination.
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