Resources

This list contains links to many of the products I use.   

Safety Eyes

Safety eyes come in a variety of sizes!  The most used size in my patterns is the 30mm round size. 

Eyelashes

Synthetic/Plastic Eyelashes. When it comes to eyelashes, it really is simple to add this layer of cuteness!  You can use the eyelashes made for people or the plastic ones made for dolls (pictured here).  Both of the links below are eyelashes suitable for 20mm to 40mm eye sizes.

Embroidered/Thread Eyelashes.  If you have an embroidery machine and want to make eyelashes using thread, these are fantastic!  You can grab the embroidery file here. These were enlarged to 140%. 

These were made by D.A.S.I.E. maker Jeanie and I absolutely love how they look on my designs! She sells them already made for you, contact her via email at Thatswhatshesews@gmail.com

Feather Eyelashes are quite lush!  Learn how to make them here.

Dowel End Caps

I have yet to find a 1.5 inch wooden ball with a pre-drilled 1 inch hole…so I make them! You can make them too or you can email me and ask what I currently have available. I also often have some of the plastic dowel caps in stock…so, if you’d like them you can send me an email and ask about current availability.

Fiber Filling

I primarily use Poly-Fil fiber filling by Fairfield, I love the way it stuffs out.  However, there are many options for filling, but I can’t recommend what I haven’t used.  Amazon links are below, you can also find them at Wal-mart and local craft stores.

I also use this down alternative by Fairfield. It is a little more pricey, so I reserve it for stuffing narrow things like tails and horns and for stuffing the top half of the arms and legs on Pudgy Plushies. It is softer and, while the regular Poly-Fil isn’t prone to clumping, this one just does not clump and is so soft and great for a ‘lighter’ more lofty stuffing.

Duck Canvas

I love to use 9oz+ duck canvas for my ride-on toys and faux taxidermy pieces.  In order to get the variety of colors I use, I have to go to a few different sources.

Minky and Faux Fur

I am quite partial to Shannon Fabric’s Cuddle Minky® and Faux Fur…these fabrics are so soft and work so well for plushies! There are many independent and reputable shops to do business with, these are some I have purchased from. Teresa Coates from Shannon Fabrics has also shared here list of favorite shops here.

Cotton Fabric

I often use quality cotton fabrics for the step by step process photos in my patterns since it works well for this purpose…I also like it because it adds a layer of visual aesthetics! There are a lot of possibilities…just pick a good sturdy cotton that will hold up well to stuffing (quilting quality is best).

  • Give Your Local Quilt Shop a Try!
  • Michael’s Craft Stores
  • Hobby Lobby

Dowels

Your best bet is to visit your local hardware or craft store for a wooden dowel.  Some people use PVC pipes instead of wooden dowels, which are available at your local hardware store.

However, you can find some on Amazon (and can cut them to the length desired).

Yarn

I generally stick with three different types of yarns (linked below), but there are obviously many different options.  If you are curling or brushing your yarn, choose a synthetic…wool isn’t suited for these techniques.

  • Caron Simply Soft
  • Lion Brand Thick & Quick
  • Vanna’s Choice

Interfacing and Adhesive

These are the interfacings, adhesives and stabilizers I use most.

Awl, Needles and Scissors

-I’m often asked what scissors I use and I love the Fiskars Rag Quilt scissors.

-I also use these small scissors for cutting and trimming thread and small edges of fabric as needed. I love them! Fiskars Embroidery Curved scissors.

-The AWL is used to easily and neatly create holes to place the safety eyes.

-I generally use the Schmetz sewing needles on my sewing machine, the 80/11 size is the one I use most.

-I’m also partial to a curved embroidery needle for a lot of my hand stitching.

-The Dritz 5″ needles are great for soft sculpting.  The 3″ size also works great for smaller projects.

Armature and Joints

Bring your plushie to life! The sizes needed for the particular project are listed in the tutorials. CRS Crafts is my go-to source for lock joint armature and neck joints. Here’s a video on how to use them in your plushie.

Plastic Safety Noses

Some of the patterns have a plastic nose option.

Easy Accessories & Embellishments

Australia Patch! Jackie Hillman offers small Australia patches with a heart in the center sized to fit the foot of my Kwirky Koala…saving you time and teeny tiny sewing if you’d be making your own via machine applique as shown in my pattern. 

She can make them in a variety of colors, just ask! Contact her via email at StitchinInTheUSA@gmail.com to ask any questions and to place your order.

Sound Boxes!  Find a variety of sound boxes to tuck into your plushie, stick horse (or other ride-on toy), etc. Be sure to make a little muslin bag for it before putting it in the animal, this will keep the fibers from the stuffing from working into the box. Options include horses, dogs, cats, elephants, dinosaurs and more! Find them at the Zoo Factory.

Sewing Machine

I am old school when it comes to sewing machines. In this regard, I’m not the best person to ask which machine to get since I simply don’t have much experience sewing on a variety of machines. I’m a Bernina 830 Record girl…through and through.

My mother-in-law saw me struggling on an old ‘cheap’ machine and bought me my first Bernina 830 for my 32nd birthday. I have stuck with my vintage Bernina 830 Record…and now have four of them. It is a simple machine (no crazy digital electronics) and it is a work horse. They are solid machines and I highly recommend them if you can find one in good working condition (check your local quilt shop, secondhand store and Ebay). 

If you’d like to get advice and insight from others who are sewing stuffed animals in regards sewing machines, please consider joining my Facebook Group, The Rustic Horseshoe D.A.S.I.E.s and post the question for others to respond…or search for previous posts on the same topic.

Organization/Storage

These are the folders I showed in my Studio Tour on my YouTube channel. They work great for keeping the tutorial organized and easy to flip through and, you can put all your cut out templates into a sleeve or two in the back.  I love these to keep individual patterns separate, rather than a larger 3-ring binder. Find them on Amazon here.

(I’ll update the photo soon, I need to snap one.)

Books

Abigail Patner Glassenberg’s book Stuffed Animals from Concept to Construction was most helpful in guiding me to better visualize, draft and construct muzzles and gussets.  It is a great book that is useful to any sewist of stuffed animals even if you aren’t designing them yourself.  There are also some cute projects to try.

This is a great image to Pin!  Pin this now and save it to refer to when you’re ready to start your project.