How To Make Simple Soft Toys: Part 1

Basic Instructions For Making Soft Toys

1. How to enlarge the Templates

How To Universe Pattern Templates are created as simple GIF image files. Simply right click on the one you want select 'Save Picture As' and save it to your computer. Change the name to something you'll easily remember.

Each template is on a grid and marked to show how many squares to an inch. Our How To Universe project templates are half size. Each square represents 1/2 square inch or approximately 2.5cm.

If you have a printer you can print them out at 200% and let your computer do the work. They have been designed to fit on standard letter size paper (8.5 inches by 11 inches). Just be sure and set up your page properties with no margins, tabs or borders.

If for some reason you are only able to print them at 100%, or you don't have a printer you can copy them to a floppy disk and then either ask your local print shop or a friend to print them for you at 200%.

If none of the above is available, there's always the old fashioned way. Make a paper grid of 1/2 inch squares then draw the pattern onto this larger grid while you have the pattern on your screen. Or if you have a flat screen monitor, use whatever graphics program you have to expand the pattern to 200% on the screen. I've used Image Composer this way but MS Paint or any program that allows you to open or insert a .gif image file and zoom in by 200% or 2X the original size, will work. You may even be able to do this with your browser. (Highlight the pattern and right click, select 'Zoom' if available from the drop-down menu. Place a piece of tracing paper or other paper you can see through over the screen and trace.

Tips: - Mark the grid lines to help keep your place as it will likely take up more than one screen.
- Move your head or scroll the pattern so that the part you are tracing is at eye level.
- It's Not a good idea to tape the paper to the screen. If feasible with your monitor you can try using masking tape to tape it to the plastic casing.
- If you can see well enough try to follow the outside edge of the solid black line around the pattern.
- Compare your tracing with the onscreen pattern make any necessary adjustments and mark your template with all the notes and marks from the original.

2. How To Prepare the Full Size Template

I recommend that you make a card template. This will make tracing your stitching line much easer and the edge will stand up better through repeated use than a paper template. You can use bristol board or an old cereal box or something similar. If you have one of those solid glue sticks handy, use it to glue the paper template right to the card then cut it out. (Don't use a wet glue it warps the paper and curls the cardboard.) You could also buy flat plastic sheets specifically made for making templates. These are the best as they stand up very well under repeated use. It's more pricey but if you have a pattern you plan to use over and over again it's worth the investment.

Note: Cut the template along the outside edge of the black outline.

OR Cut the paper template out and trace it carefully onto the cardboard.

Mark the template with "Add 1/4 inch seam allowance" Some designers include the seam allowance on their patterns or templates and you might not remember years from now which was which.

Mark your template with colored dots where you will need to clip the seam allowance. Add any facial features or other marks you will need from the original template. Carefully cut out the eyes and other large embroidery areas. I usually make a small slit in the center of an eye with pointy scissors or a very sharp utility knife to start with, then carefully clip or cut out the whole eye. For smaller markings like smile lines and eyebrows etc. I make punch holes with a large pin or strong needle wiggling the pin to enlarge the hole just enough to allow my pencil lead to reach the fabric. Then I use these holes to make dotted lines to guide me.

3. Tracing the Template onto your fabric

You have my permission to use any fancy tailors chalk, dressmaker's tracing paper or expensive pencils and markers sold for this purpose that you like. :) I usually end up using pencils or pencil crayons - the cheap ones. You can always find a contrasting color that shows up well on whatever color fabric you use. (Don't use pens or markers etc of course)

Trace the template all round. You will stitch right next to but just inside this line so that the pencil mark is on the seam allowance.