One of the challenges in designing a soft toy is figuring out how to attach parts like limbs or wings so that the attachment is really strong and won't come apart during play. Here is a method of creating taut, strong, invisible points of attachment by cutting a small hole cut in the piece that will be attached.
This technique took me a long time to wrap my head around, but it works well and is perfect for attaching wings to a duck, legs and arms to the underside of a turtle, or hind legs on a crouching animal.
I'm going to sew up a seated dog. First I cut out his side body and the inner and outer leg pieces.
I cut a hole in the side body where the leg will attach and a matching hole on the inner leg.
Now I pin the inner leg to the side body, right sides together, matching up the holes.
Sew around the hole.
Now push the inner leg through the hole.
Keep pushing until it all goes in.
Flip the side body over.
See the leg all pulled through? Now place the outerleg on top of the inner leg, right sides together. Pin it in place.
Stitch the inner leg to the outer leg. No need to leave an opening here, just stitch all the way around.
And now I can finish sewing the dog in the usual manner. The hind legs are pre-attached. When I turn the dog right side out I'll be able to stuff them through the hole. Cool, huh?
A machine-sewn, super strong and invisible attachment for the hind legs!
Have you ever used this technique? Can you think of some creative applications for it? Tell us about it in the comments! I hope you'll give it a try!
