Sewing stuffed animals... to each other.

Karoshi · Post by **Karoshi** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 2:50 pm

Anyone have any hot tips to give me about sewing stuffed animals together? I got a bunch from the dollar store and I'm planning on trying to make a coat out of them, but I've never really done any sewing before... (other than an apron about 15 years ago in Home Ec)

Any tips on what kind of thread/needle to use or anything I might want to keep in mind to make it playa ready? (I know not to use ones that have shedding fake fur)

Thanks!

DragginLady · Post by **DragginLady** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 3:07 pm

One idea would be to go to a thrift store and find a coat that you like to use as a base, then sew the animals to that. You could cut the sleeves off if you dont want them, or alter them with strips of material, or cut them into fine strips. or use fabric paint to embellish...

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 3:19 pm

You might want to trim the fur on the coat and area of animals where you plan to sew them, so they can be stitched more closely together...That way the threads will be less likely to shear and release the animal to roam the playa as MOOP.
GOOP adhesive binds well to Phun Phur...you could use that.
Also check out CRAFT magazine (and their website) for inspiration...they do lots of stuffed-animal stuff.
They sell little battery-operated puppies at Walgreens for cheap- It'd be fun to include a few of those, with the walk/bark controls anchored to your sleeve (or spliced together to a common control unit) so your coat can writhe and bark.

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 3:23 pm

This is a beanie animal coat a Utah burner made ... she says it didn't look cohesive or finished until she added the pom-poms as a visual break. I don't know what type of thread she used, but I'd say basic upholstery thread would be quite strong. I use it for many things when I don't think regular thread will do.

It is lined, I think she used a lightweight jacket or hoodie as a base.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 4:31 pm

I thought you were going to sew a beanie baby to your own skin.

I would pay to see that.

klondike_bar · Post by **klondike_bar** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:17 pm

Ugly Dougly wrote:I thought you were going to sew a beanie baby to your own skin.

I would pay to see that.

pretty sure you can browse http://www.bmezine.com/ for free, to your hearts content. (or till you cant stomach it anymore)

**burn** · Post by **burn** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:19 pm

Here's Larry in a stuffed bear suit:
http://images.burningman.com/index.cgi?image=10676

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:02 am

Then it's already old.

mojo · Post by **mojo** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 11:01 am

**burn** wrote:Here's Larry in a stuffed bear suit:
http://images.burningman.com/index.cgi?image=10676

He's wearing a white teddy.....

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 4:08 pm

Lola did a number of mutated animals for Tripley's Museum in 2005.
She might have some useful ideas

klondike_bar · Post by **klondike_bar** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 8:48 pm

you should completely un-seam the animals, so that its perfectly smooth fabric, but with multiple animal heads protruding.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:01 am

With little pink silk intestines sticking out. FTW!!!

Daddy-O · Post by **Daddy-O** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:39 am

I have used a hot glue gun with fabric glue. It works well and fast. It hurts to hear those little animal screams when the hot glue hits them.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:14 am

I thought you and your SO were going to sew them to one another

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:49 pm

Daddy-O wrote:I have used a hot glue gun with fabric glue. It works well and fast. It hurts to hear those little animal screams when the hot glue hits them.

Hot Melt Glue has a disturbing habit of melting on playa.

Of course, I think glue guns are devised to burn my fingers, so I try and avoid them.

bandwagon · Post by **bandwagon** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 8:23 am

A friend of mine used cargo netting, fine stuff, as the base of his stuffed animal pants, and safety pined all the animals onto it. That way he could take them off one by one and give them as gifts. He's had to fix some holes he's created over the years... and it is hard to hear the little ones scream as they get pierced, but they really like it!

edeveber · Post by **edeveber** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 6:51 am

Dental floss is super strong for sewing stuff. it doesn't look that nice but it is nearly impossible to break...

timschapker · Post by **timschapker** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:55 am

Might I suggest a curved upholstery needle for easy sewing and strong upholstery thread to keep your little critters attached?

Sewing stuffed animals... to each other.

Sewing stuffed animals... to each other.

Upholstery tricks