Free and Vintage Easy-to-Sew Toys

Full-sized patterns included for above toys.

Vintage Soft Toys by Clarks O.N.T. - J. & P. Coats The Spool Cotton Company from New York, 1944.

Directions for Cutting Patterns: All patterns in this free resource are actual size. The seam allowance is not included. Directions for adding the seam allowance are given under directions for cutting your fabric. To save space certain pattern pieces overlap or are contained within another drawn pattern piece. This is indicated by a broken line.

       Place tissue paper over the page containing the patterns desired. Fasten the tissue at the top with paper clips to prevent it from slipping. Then with a soft pencil trace the outline and all marks on the patterns. Cut out these patterns from the tissue paper.

Directions for Cutting Fabric:

• Observe closely how many each of each piece is needed for your soft critters/dolls. This is clearly marked on each pattern piece.
• Pin the pattern to the wring side of the fabric. It is sometimes necessary and often convenient to fold the fabric and pin the pattern to two thicknesses at once.
• When a section of the pattern is marked "Place on the Fold" that edge must be placed directly on the fold of the fabric and the fold must not be cut.
• Use sharp, thin pins for pinning. Size 6 or 7 pins are good.
• On the fabric, allow 1/4" on edges of all patterns. This 1/4" is the seam allowance.
• Trace directly around outer edge of the patterns with pencil (or chalk) on wrong side of fabric before unpinning. This clearly defines the seam line. On body pieces, it is necessary to unpin the pattern after making the tracing on one piece and repeat the outline on the other piece. Indicate all other marks shown on the pattern on the right side of the fabric - such as the shape of the features or the location of the legs. When cutting two pieces at once, a marking line on one piece is sufficient except in the case of the main body pieces where markings must be made on both pieces.
• For each animal (except the penguin), a band (from the matching fabric) 1 1/2" wide is necessary. The length of the band is specified on the page where the patterns for each animal are given.

Animals: The directions for the animals are divided into two sections - general and special. The general directions give details which will help in making all of the animals. The special directions describe the particular features which are necessary to successfully completing each animal. It is important to read both the general and special directions.

Materials: Percale, gingham, chintz or any printed or plain cotton fabric - 1/3 yard for each animal. The fabrics recommended may be varied according to taste. Frequently it is interesting  to line the ears with felt or a fabric of contrasting color and texture. If there is any special fabric or color suitable for a particular animal, it is noted under the special directions. Below are listed the notions needed for all projects:

• Cotton Batting or Kapok for stuffing
• Four buttons to fasten legs and two smaller buttons for eyes of each animal 
• Six Strand Embroidery Floss (black)
• Thread to match fabrics used
• Embroidery needles

Left, stuffed boy and girl dolls. Center, stuffed elephant. Right, stuffed horse.

General Directions for Making Both Animal and Child Bodies:

• The body consists of two pieces and a band. The band is sewed to both body halves. Hand sewing is recommended on the body as the pieces of fabric may be handled more easily. A seam allowance of 1/4" on each side of the band is included in the width given.
• The sewing is begun on the underside of the body piece. Mark a starting point on both body pieces. These points must match exactly.
• First sew the band all around one body piece, right sides together. Leave 1/2" of the band free at the beginning. The body piece should be held toward the person working so that it may be eased slightly onto the band. Be careful to follow marking for the seam line on the body piece exactly. Do not draw stitches to tightly and take a back stitch every few stitches, especially on the curves. When the curve is close, as under the animal's chin or at the throat, clip the seam allowance almost to the seam line.
• To finish the band around the first body piece, fold under 1/4" on the unsewn end at the beginning and continue sewing for 1/2" past the starting point over the seam line and clip if necessary.
• Sew the band to the other body piece. Be careful to start at the point marked to correspond with the first piece. Hold the body piece toward the person working as before. Finish off this seam about 2" from starting point. This opening, in addition to the opening across the width of the band, will provide space for turning and stuffing.
  

Stuffing of Body:   Turn body to right side through opening. Insert stuffing a little at a time and pack well with the butt end of your pencil. Mold  the shape as you are inserting the stuffing. To ensure the animal is firmly packed make sure that you have plenty of stuffing at hand. Turn in the seam allowance on the edge of the opening and close the opening using a slip stitch.

 

Legs and Feet:  

• Sew the two pieces of each leg right sides together, leaving the bottom open. Turn to right side and stuff.
• If there is a foot part, turn in edges of foot and of bottom of leg and slip stitch foot to bottom of leg and slip stitch foot to bottom of leg. If there is not foot part, turn in raw edges and slip stitch the body shut. 
• pin legs in place as indicated on the pattern. Be sure both sides are even so that the animal will stand.
• To sew on the legs, insert the needle (using double thread) so that it goes through both legs and the body. Place a button against one leg, catch it with the thread as the thread is brought through to the opposite side. Place a button against the leg on the opposite side and catch it the same way. Repeat these steps about four times for each set of holes in the button.
  

Ears:   

• Sew ear pieces right sides together and turn to the right side.
• Turn edges under and sew to the animal's head where indicated on each pattern. See photos for position.
• One the ears of all animals except the bunny make a pleat at bottom edge. The darts on the patterns indicates the size of the pleat.
  

Eyes:   Eyes may be indicated by small buttons or embroidered.

Patterns and Special Directions For The Following Stuffed Animals and Dolls:

• The stuffed horse
• The stuffed bunny
• The stuffed mamma kangaroo and baby
• The stuffed elephant
• The stuffed pig with apron
• The stuffed penguin
• The stuffed boy and girl dolls