Hand Sewing Basics

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Hand Sewing Basics: Getting Started Hand sewing - ThePatternHub, www.thepatternhub.comWondering where to start? This blog post will cover the hand sewing basics and the tools you need to start making your own felt toys at home. Back in 2008, I was very bad! I swear I was terrible sewing by hand the first time I ambition to make a toy by hand. I knew the basic running stitch and that’s still my favorite stitch for my toys. First of all, stop worrying about the result, it sincerely doesn’t matter. Just learn the techniques and have fun doing it.  Leave the worry out of the door and just start with the first stitch, everything else will get in place. I will try to find a picture and I will post it 🙂

I still remember my first attempt to make some toys was in a sewing machine my husband bought for me in a pawn shop for $30 bucks; After many hours of frustration,  I transitioned from the machine to stitch by hand, and it has been the best experience ever. You can’t compare the feeling after you finish. I was so happy with my hand-sewn duck even though it had a foot bigger than the other one. I didn’t care because I knew sewing by hand was what I wanted to do. It was the way to give life to my designs.  Here is a list of what you need to start this new adventure. Once you get the hand sewing basics you can continue growing on your own skills.

 

Felt Toy Hand Sewing Basics:

Hand Sewing Basics: Getting Started Hand sewing - ThePatternHub, www.thepatternhub.com

The magic felt:

Start sewing by hand will be much easier if you start sewing on felt.  Felt is a wonderful and very easy to use material, I love it because it doesn’t fray and you don’t have to worry about the edges: as long as you use a sharp pair of scissors, your toy will get a good finish. I love felt also because it is soft but steady and you can find it in a many many fun and vibrant colors.  Also, because it is very easy to run the thread and the needle on it.

the Basics: Getting Started Hand sewing - ThePatternHub, www.thepatternhub.com

Thread:

Choose a good thread to stitch your toys! Don’t go with a very cheap one because you will end up stopping a lot to replace the thread in your needle because it will eventually will break. Thicker embroidery thread is easier to use and keep track of your first few hands sewing projects. If you don’t have a thick thread don’t worry, you can use double thread to start your sewing projects.

the Basics: Getting Started Hand sewing - ThePatternHub, www.thepatternhub.com

Scissors:

 

You will need a good pair of scissors to get a very nice finish to your pieces. I recommend to have 2 pairs and…. Please don’t use them to cut anything else but fabric. My scissors are sacred at home, I marked them and put them in a separate place to avoid my husband to use them to open the mail or to cut paper. The big ones are to cut big sections of the felt and they don’t have to be expensive as long as you take care of them and keep them sharp. The small ones are my favorites and the most valuable item in my sewing kit.

Needles: There is also a big variety of needles on the market, however, I recommend you to use a needle not too small with a large eye to start sewing so you can fit a thicker thread. Once you advance you can start using smaller ones.

Stuffing:

Polyfill it is the best option for toys, small pillows and plushes, it is clean and very easy to use. You can use a pencil or a small stick to poke the fiber inside your toy.

 

Color pencils / chalk:

You can use chalk or any color pencil to draw the patterns over the felt.

 

The toy Sewing Patterns:

Don’t forget the pattern! A pattern is the template from which the parts of a toy are traced onto the Felt before you cut it and assemble. Download the pattern and print it. I like to print my patterns on cardstock because it will make easier to trace the pieces.

Now that you know the Toy Hand Sewing Basics, it is time to try! Bring your felt, scissors and sewing tools to get these amazingly easy to follow felt sewing patterns done in a bit.  You can download a free toy sewing pattern to make this lovely bunny HERE.

Free Toy Sewing Pattern by Thepatternhub. Make your own at home!

Now I would love to hear from you, What are your favorite sewing tools? Tell me about it in the comments below.

Thanks for reading,  commenting and sharing.

With love,

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Follow mariapalito:

Business Owner and Freelancer

Hi there, I am a full time creative and freelancer. I enjoy mi days sewing toys and creating toy sewing patterns for others who enjoy the beauty of sewing toys by hand like me. Sewing for me is the best therapy and the best way to keep my creative soul active. You can see more of my work in my website www.mariapalitousa.com. Enjoy Sewing!

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