If you are a quilter who is interested in sewing fabric toys, you’re not alone!

Lots of newcomers to Funky Friends Factory toy patterns say they’ve sewn quilts in the past. So I am sure that I’m not the only quilter with a stash of quilting fabrics they’d like to sew toys with!😄

 

This post has tips for quilters new to sewing toys!

There’s good news for YOU if you are a QUILTER (and you’re trying toy making for the first time) – you already have lots of sewing skills that are also used for sewing soft toys. You will already know how to use a sewing machine, match up precise pieces, and follow a pattern. So you’ve got a head start on sewing toys! BUT chances are you’ve got some questions about how toy-making differs from quilting, so we’ve compiled this FAQ blog post specifically for quilters NEW to toy sewing!

 

 

 

OK let’s go!

Q1.Can I sew a toy with quilting cotton?

ANSWER: Yes! I actually design my toys in quilting cotton – so they are tried and tested in these fabrics! You can see examples of the Funky Friends sewn in quilting fabrics on the pattern covers and in the step-by-step photo tutorial photos. I love the wonderful colours and prints in quilting cottons myself ~ here I am with a bunch of Feur Flamingos ALL made in quilting fabrics!

Click HERE to buy the Flamingo Pattern

 

 

Q2. I have a lot of small scraps. Can I use that for sewing toys?

ANSWER: YES! Definitely! You don’t need large pieces of fabric to sew Funky Friends toys. I have even designed some toy patterns specifically for using up scrap fabrics like the Silly Scrap Snake pattern. Here you can see a Silly Scrap Snake sewn by Lisa Stewart –  from leftover fabric from a quilt!

Click HERE to buy the Scrap Snake Sewing Pattern.

 

 

Q3. What are the main differences between sewing a quilt and a Funky Friends Factory toy? 

ANSWER: Both types of projects use patterns. Quilt patterns usually have written instructions and diagrams, but Funky Friends Factory patterns come with step-by-step photos of EVERY SINGLE STEP – so you can SEE exactly what to do! Sewing a quilt top usually involves sewing straight lines, but with Funky Friends Factory patterns you’ll also be sewing some gentle curves – think BODIES – and sometimes some rounder curves – think TOES, TAILS and FRILLS! I know some quilters are a bit intimidated BEFORE they try sewing toys for the first time BUT they soon find out that sewing curves is actually quite EASY (and they give the toys a cute cuddly shape!😍) 

 

I like to say, if you follow the steps you can’t go wrong! BUT you can still make silly mistakes – like me! 🤣

 

And here is a cute photo of some AWESOME Aristotle Axolotls sewn by Donna Simonton in quilting fabrics… her granddaughter couldn’t resist giving them a kiss!

Click HERE to buy the Axolotl pattern.

 

 

Q4. What is the biggest similarity between quilting and sewing a Funky Friends Factory pattern?

ANSWER: I would say – making sure all the pieces line up correctly. The pattern pieces in a Funky Friends Factory pattern are designed to fit together precisely, like a jigsaw puzzle. The patterns have gone through a testing process before they get released to make sure that the pattern goes together perfectly before it goes out into the BIG WIDE WORLD. This means that if your pieces aren’t matching up, something is wrong. Just take a step back and see where you may have gone off course. The patterns have a “Tick the Box” format (see the example below) so you can tick off each step as you go along to make sure that you do the steps in the right order and don’t left anything out. Transferring the pattern letters and markings to the fabric pieces allows you to check that you are matching them up correctly. 

 

 

Q5. What are the best tips for quilters starting toy sewing? 

ANSWER: My #1 tip for all makers, regardless of sewing experience is this: Transfer all pattern marks and letters to the fabric. I know this sounds so simple BUT don’t let this fool YOU ~> this seems to help 99% of people who get stuck!

 

My #2 Tip is also simple: Use LOTS of pins! This is something that a lot of quilters are NOT used to doing. With toy-making – Pins are your friends! WHY? Because they stop small fabric pieces from slipping as you sew, so you don’t end up with wonky legs or lop-sided ears!😱

Push the pins in at right angles (not along the length of the fabric) so you can fit in a LOT of pins close together as you pin around the curves.🤩

 

There are more beginner toy-making tips from Funky Friends fans in this blog post  – Top 10 toy-making tips for sewing your first soft toy. (We asked the 10k+ members of our Pattern Fan Club to contribute ideas for a blog post it was tough picking just 10 of their toy making tips for beginners!)

 

Q6. Which Funky Friends Factory patterns are best for quilters as a first toy project?

ANSWER: I think that the Scrap Snake Sewing Pattern is the most similar pattern to a quilting project. Here you can see him sewn in scraps of batik fabrics by Linda B.V.

Click HERE to buy the Scrap Snake Sewing Pattern.

 

The Silly Scrap Snake is a simple pattern and great for grandkid gifts! 🥰

 

Want to use up smaller fabric scraps leftover from your quilting projects? Gertrude Guinea Pig was designed to have a scrappy look and is great for using up lots of small bits of fabric! This gorgeous guineapig was sewn by Cindy Schreiner. Gertrude is also an EASY and QUICK project and loved by grandkids too!

Click HERE to buy the Guinea Pig pattern.

 

Want to mix & match different fabrics? I designed the Patch Pussycat pattern specifically so you can! It is great for using up coordinated fat quarter packs like this cute kitty made from Halloween fat quarters by Lauren Hodgson-King. Patch Pussycat is a more advance pattern – ONLY because it has a LOT more pieces!  

Click HERE to buy the Patch Cat Sewing pattern.

 

TIP: If you’ve never sewn a toy before, I suggest taking the FREE email course!

You will earn everything you need to know about sewing soft toys with my FREE toy-making Course. I share ALL the tips & tricks I’ve learned about sewing toys over the last 20+ years in a daily email series packed with photos, diagrams and videos. This FREE toy-making Course includes everything you  need to know about sewing toys – from how to read a pattern to how to stuff a toy, AND it includes my easiest pattern – Plattie Platypus.

 

(Yes! It’s FREE!)

 

 

 

If you enjoy free-motion quilting or topstitching, you can put those skills to work making Belinda Butterfly. Belinda’s wings include a top stitching template, and you can make the design as easy or complex as you want. Amy Smith presented Belinda along with a gorgeous matching quilt.

 

You can also use your applique skills on Belinda’s wings! Sandy Cline added applique hearts on Belinda Butterfly‘s wings as part of a gift for her grand-niece. Sandy used remnants from the baby quilt she made so the toy would match.

Click HERE to buy the Butterfly Sewing Pattern

 

 

Q7. Do I need to iron the seams on Funky Friends Factory patterns?

ANSWER: NO, isn’t that great?!😂 If I have a piece of cotton fabric that is very creased, I may give it an iron before I cut out my pattern pieces BUT most times this isn’t necessary – stuffing the toy firmly actually removes most wrinkles! There may be some occasions when you need to finger press a seam, but the pattern instructions will let you know when that is needed.👍 

 

 

Q8. I want to make a toy to gift with a quilt – which Funky Friends Factory toys are most popular with quilts for gifting?

ANSWER: Ellie Elephant is one of the most popular quilt and toy combos. I think because elephants are so universally LOVED – and always make a gift that someone will never forget! Ann Passey sewed this cutie – the spotted grey and green batik fabric from the quilt work perfectly for Ellie Elephant.

 

And here is a much brighter version sewn by Sharon Hale using Tula Pink fabric for her Ellie Elephant and quilt combo. I love the mix of green and pink! 💗💚

 

Looking for a gift idea with a little more “bite”? This amazing shark quilt looks fantastic paired with a  Sammy Shark toy,  both sewn by Elise Luce. Other popular combos include Raff Giraffe, William Whale, and Belinda Butterfly are also popular. It’s really up to you! With over 120 Funky Friends Factory toy patterns to choose from, you’ll find one to fit your quilt theme. 

Click HERE to buy the Shark Pattern.

We have 2 MORE fun blog posts featuring examples of toy and quilt combos. The first blog post – Sew a soft Toy and Quilt Combo – was so popular we did a 2nd follow up quilting post – Add a Soft Toy to Your Handmade Quilt for the Ultimate Baby Gift. 

Q9 Can I use an old quilt top to make a toy?

 What patterns should I use as an uncycling project? Do you have any sewing tips?

Melody Memory Bear is a popular choice for patchworked fabric pieces. Susanne sewed her bear from a patchwork of oriental fabrics.

Click HERE to buy the Melody Memory Bear Pattern.

 

The Patch Pussycat pattern seems to be another popular choice for upcycled quilted projects! Michelle Hubbard used a quilted jacket to make this gorgeous Patchwork cat.

 

And here’s a 200 percent Patch Pussycat Karen Carns made from a quilt!! You don’t need to enlarge that much, but it’s sure a fun photo!

Click HERE to buy the Patch Cat Sewing pattern.

 

Lu Peng recycled a quilt top to make this super sweet Sammy Shark. I love the crazy patchwork stitching details!

Click HERE to buy the Shark Pattern.

 

And this cute upcycled quilt project was sewn by Stephanie Wells. She used an old quilted pillow sham to sew an adorable Easter Bunny Buddy.

Click HERE to buy the Easter Bunny sewing pattern.

Funky Friends Factory patterns with a single-piece tummy like Kip the Keepsake Dog have a large tummy space to show off details from intricate quilt squares or applique details like Katie Anhorn has done with this fun patchwork take of her cute Kip Keepsake dog.

Click HERE to buy the Keepsake Dog Pattern

 

👍Some great tips from quilters who have recycled quilts:

✅ To use quilted fabric, you’ll need to carefully check the stability of the item’s seams.

✅ Are using just a quilt top? You may need to iron interfacing on the back.

✅ Are you using the whole quilt, including batting and quilt back? This is only recommended for those used to sewing this level of thickness on your machine! 

✅ You’ll likely need a walking foot or whatever attachment is recommended for quilting on your machine. 

✅ Zig zag stitch the edge of each piece if there’s fraying. You may want to enlarge the pattern 20 percent or more to give yourself more room to move the sewing machine needle.

✅ Have fun! (That was MY tip!😆)

 

 

Q10 Do I need to use interfacing for quilting cottons?

NO! You don’t usually need interfacing when you sew a toy from quilting cottons. Interfacing ‘removes the stretch’ from a fabric. Quilting cottons have very little stretch so this isn’t needed. See the Tip Box below for times when it is best to use interfacing.

Tip: Use interfacing for clothing & very thin/stretchy fabrics (Stops toys bloating!😵)

✅ Interfacing is used to stop fabrics stretching out of shape.

✅ Always use interfacing when sewing a memory bear from clothing items.

👍 The best interfacing for memory bears is a medium weight, fusible (iron-on) woven interfacing like the US brands Pellon SF 101 and Bosal 100% cotton fusible interfacing or the EU/UK version (Vilene) Vlieseline G700.

Three quick guidelines for WHEN to use INTERFACING:

✅ YES! T-shirts, onesies, and stretchy fabrics do need interfacing.
✅ NO! You don’t need interfacing for regular fleece and quilting cotton.
✅ YES! If you’re using multiple types of fabric in a project (like fleece cottons and T-shirt fabrics), do interface all of the fabrics so they have the same amount of stretch.

 

 

WOW this post was such fun to put together!

I hope you had as much fun looking at all the lovely quilting fabric toys too!😁 Please leave a comment if you have a tip for Quilters that I haven’t mentioned!

 

Want to win a
FREE toy pattern?

 

It’s so EASY to enter the Pattern GIVEAWAY!

 

ALL you need to do is post a photo of a FUNKY FRIENDS FACTORY toy that you have made on the Funky Friends Factory Facebook Page .

At the end of each month I draw a winner and post the winner’s name on the Blog the following MONTH. I have an Album on Facebook for all the MAKEROFTHEMONTH winners. You can check it out HERE!

 

 

NOT on Facebook? ENTER by email! 😀

*** You can send me your photos by email too!

 

So come on! Share your photos  ~> The next winner could be YOU!

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Till next time,

Happy Sewing,
Pauline
xxx