Animal Plush Kits

Craft a massively cute creature ... even with a tiny embroidery hoop! These "plush kits" feature small machine embroidery designs for eyes, noses, and other features, along with a PDF pattern to bring your creature to life. Follow our step-by-step instructions to stitch your own!

Begin by printing the PDF template for your creature, linked above in the supplies list. The shapes will print out onto several pieces of paper, which you will need to cut out and tape together using the letters and arrows marked on the sheets.

There is also a placement guide included in the last page of each PDF with the rough layout of the embroidery pieces.

You will also want to print templates of each embroidery design for placement, using embroidery software.

After you've cut out the paper plush shape templates, cut two pieces of the body fabric, large enough to have enough room around the body outline to hoop and embroider all the features (ours was about 18" square). Trace the body shape of your animal onto the center of both fabric pieces, but do not cut out the shape yet.

If your creature has a smaller fabric shape for the front or any appendages, cut out the fabric pieces for those as well.

Using temporary spray adhesive, adhere a piece of medium weight cutaway stabilizer to the back side of your body fabric, large enough to cover all the areas that will be hooped and embroidered.

If your creature has an applique shape for the front of the body, spray the back side of the fabric with temporary spray adhesive, and smooth it onto the front of the body fabric. Use pins to secure the fabric in place for stitching.

Stitch 1/4" away from the edge of your applique piece,  using thread that matches the fabric.

Now that the body fabric is ready, you can start adding embroidered details! Use the placement guide provided on the last page of the PDF template to plan where you will stitch your designs.

Cut out each printed placement template close to the design image, and arrange your printed placement templates on top of the body fabric.

Then use an air-erase pen to mark the center and axis points for each design. Use a ruler to extend the lines from each axis point to help with accurate hooping.

NOTE: It helps to label each of the design letters next to the center point of each marking so you can keep track of all the markings.

For each embroidery design, use the template to double check that you have your pattern laid out exactly how you want it to embroider. Make sure the axis lines of the template and your markings line up with the axis marks of your embroidery hoop.

For best results, use the smallest hoop possible for each design, stitching only one piece per hooping.

Triple check your positioning! Make sure what you are seeing on your embroidery machine matches up with your hoop position. You will need to get creative with hooping multiple directions for the designs to sit properly.

This is what the finished embroidery should look like for the fox.

Now you can carefully cut out the animal shapes from your two pieces of body fabric, adding an extra 1/2" seam allowance to the outside.

NOTE: It is easier to cut through fleece with the stabilizer intact.

If you're using faux fur fabric for the body, you'll want to add a water-soluble topping on top of the fabric before embroidering. This will help prevent the stitches from sinking into the fabric.

When you are finished stitching the designs, tear away the topping, and use water according to the package instructions to remove any remaining bits of water-soluble stabilizer.

After the embroidery is finished but before you stitch the body together, you'll want to add any appendages.

This reindeer has antlers made of stiff felt -- cut out the shapes using the dieline file provided with the design, then lay them along the top seam facing inward. You can stitch along the edge to hold them in place before you assemble the rest of the creature.

The monkey has ears and a tail that will need to be assembled and stuffed before they can be added.

Cut out the fabric shapes using the monkey pattern PDF, stitch them right sides together, then turn them right side out and stuff with polyfill. Lay the ears and tail along the seam allowance, facing inward, and stitch them in place.

Once the front of the creature is embroidered and any appendages are added, lay the front and back piece right sides together.

Pin the two pieces of fabric together, all the way around, with a 6" gap along one side. You will want to leave this opening so you can stuff your animal later.

Match your bobbin and top thread to your fabric color (in this case, orange) and sew along your outline. Make sure to backstitch on either end of your 6" opening.

After you are done sewing, carefully cut notches into the edges along your animal -- this will make it easier to take shape.

Using the 6" opening you left, turn your animal plush right side out. You can use a scrap fabric in between the fleece and a hot iron to press all of the edges down neatly.

You can then stuff your plush to the desired consistency! Make sure to work the polyfill into all of the crevices.

Finally, use a straight stitch on your sewing machine (or hand stitch) the side opening closed.

Your adorable plush creature is complete. Happy snuggling!