Stuffing tips

Today I thought I would go back to basics a little as a few people have been asking how I stuff my softies so firmly.  I think that this all comes down to the equipment that you use so I thought I would share a few tips to get a firmly stuffed toy...

*The first tip is repeating myself but maybe through the repeating it will capture some new readers.  The first rule of a strong and firm softie is to always use good quality polyester thread.  It is really important that you throw out the "patchwork" rules and take that cotton out of your machine whenever you start a softie.  Polyester thread is much stronger than cotton and will make your seams able to handle the strain of heavy stuffing.  The second tip on your stitches is to always set your machine to a small stitch of approx 1 - 1.5.  This again creates a stronger seam, makes the stitches less visible and creates a better end result. 

*Another piece of equipment that is very important is your actual stuffing.  There is a big variance in the quality of polyester stuffings that are available.  Unfortunately one of the most available brands that is found in chain stores throughout Australia is very poor.  If you have been using this stuffing then you are probably getting lumps in your softies and getting a result that you are not happy with.  We buy our stuffing from a pillow factory as the quality is far superior and we need to buy in bulk but I have heard on the grape vine that Birch makes a good stuffing.  If any of you have any other brands you can recommend then please let me know so I can share it with everyone.  To help you in your search for the perfect stuffing, here is a little trick.  Grab a wad of the stuffing and roll it together into a ball in your hands.  If the stuffing remains in the ball you have made, with no spring back, then it is a poor stuffing and will create lumps in your work.  If the stuffing ball springs back then you know this is a great stuffing that will fill the space effectively without lumps.

*The next piece of equipment that I wanted to share with you is our home made stuffing tool.  I have already shared the wooden skewer with you on another T&TT for all of your tiny pieces but this next tool is the all purpose super stuffing tool!! Go to our local craft store and buy a cheap round wooden paint brush like this. 

They cost under $2.00 so they certainly wont break the bank. This becomes a great double sided stuffing tool.  The smooth round end of the wooden brush is used at the perfect tool for turning your softie pieces and pushing all of the seams out smoothly.

The bristle end then becomes the perfect stuffing tool with a little modification. Grap some scissors (of course, don't be like me and use your sewing scissors so you have to by a new pair!!!) and trim the paintbrush bristles to between a quarter and half inch.  No need to be neat. 

Play with the remaining bristles for a while with your fingers and by rubbing them against a hard surface until you have messied them up really well.  
 
It should now look nice and shaggy like this 

This shaggy end is now the perfect stuffing tool.  The reason that this tool is so helpful is that the shaggy bristles grip on to your stuffing.
This allows you to easily maneuver the stuffing into your toy and to keep shoving it in right to the ends until it is super firm.  When you place a piece of stuffing in with this tool the stuffing will stay with your tool so that you can get it right to the location that you want it to go.  

* The last tip is to just keep on stuffing!!!  A lot of people are scared of stuffing too much and of breaking the seams, but if you have followed all of the tips above and your machine tension is correct then there should be little fear of breakage. Make sure that you support the area you are stuffing with one hand, while stuffing with the other and then keep shoving it in for as long as it will fit.  If you have stuffed some sections less that others, you should still be able to maneuver stuffing to those places with your trusty tool.

Comments

[Marie]

Hi Melly, Love the paint brush idea...wish you shared before I paid for stuffing tool....lol! Ah well, I also use a chopstick, I like it when the end breaks off as the ragged end also grabs the stuffing. Keep up the good work, I am sure with your new machine will come some more tricks ;))

[jenny]

Melly!!!!! You're a genius! A genius I say!!!!!

[Amelia]

Great tips. That paint brush idea is fab! Q for you - how do you get the stuffing right up in to a point, such as that of a triangle or in to corners?

[Catherine]

Hiya Melly,the paint brush is a fantastic tool!!!!I too use one,I did a class with Rosie & she was telling us about them,& so I have used one ever since & they work brilliantly...Keep the great ideas coming-& beautiful patterns,Thanks ladies...
Hugs Catherine xx

[nicolette]

Thanks for the great tips Melly! I have a jar filled with paint brushes and the stuffing trick seems will be tested!!

Filling with the right amount of stuffing is the hardest part of making a softie...LOL!

[Tanya]

thanks Melly- who knew!

[Bev]

Thanks for the great tip with the paint brush i might attempt to make some softies now as the thought of stuffing them always put me off making them. A brilliant idea thanks for sharing.

[Stephanie]

This will certainly help with pincushions too. I love the paintbrush tip. I seem to get "pointy" corners that are misshapen. And I don't own any polyester thread as it's always been a no no when quiltmaking. Thanks for such terrific tips!!!

[clare's craftroom]

Great tips , thanks so much !

[Katie B]

Great tips! Thanks!

[Cindy]

Thanks for doing this series. I've been able to implement some of your tips already. Going to check my stuffing right now to see if it stays balled.

[DianeY]

Hi Melly
I think I'm one of your winners in the giveaway, but my computer isn't set up to email thru your link, so I'm hoping you find this as I don't have your email address. I'd love the DeeDee pattern! Could you email me & I'll send my address. Thanks!
kai273@hawaii.rr.com

[three critters]

thank you! beats my tiny fingers :)

[Lisa]

These are fabulous tips! I am especially impressed with the paint brush tip. I'm now thinking I should buy each one of my students a paintbrush and have them mess it up like this so they will have a successful stuffing experience in my class! I'm sure I can find a cheap source. Thank you so much!

[JennyC]

Great idea!! Thanks for sharing!!! This will definitely come in handy this weekend :)

[Arlette Ebisu]

Miss Melly, the paint brush "stuffing tool" brought a smile to my face. Craftspeople are so very ingenious when it comes to creating useful tools to fit the need. Thanks for the tip!
Aloha!

[suesue]

Thanks for all the useful tips! I also use a hemostat with a curved tip. I grab little pieces of stuffing and push it into place with that. I'll have to get an old brush and use that too.

[Anna]

Great idea! I will be using that for sure.
Anna

[Crysto']

Thanks!!!

[Tania - Jet Designs]

Great tip Melly - would of never thought of that!

[Michele P]

Absolutely brilliant idea Melly. After all my pushing and poking with all sorts of instruments, you come up with a paint brush!! Thank you so much.

[heleen]

As a art teacher you scared me by cutting the paint brush! (always tell my students not to)
But your idea is great!!

[Sandy Gray]

Thanks so much for sharing your tips & tricks - love the paintbrush idea. I can reccommend the Birch brand Toy Fill, it's excellent.

[Kim]

Woo hoo, I won. I'm so thrilled and excited! What a great tip. I've got some brushes at home too just for this.

[Shell]

So very cool Melly! Such an awesome idea. I will be getting out my old cheap paintbrushes and roughing one of them up a bit. Gently of course he he....