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How to turn out tiny sewn shapes (like legs and arms)

20/12/2018

4 Comments

 
After a few requests, I thought I'd demonstrate an easy technique for turning out very narrow sewn shapes for stuffing, with a short video demonstration (below), If you have ever tried to sew and stuff really tiny doll legs, arms or the stalks in my mushroom sewing pattern, you will know how tricky and seemingly impossible it is. 

I've found a brilliant technique for doing this with ease, using a drinking straw and something long, small and pointy - like a small crochet / knitting needle or skewer. 

Instructions

Insert a drinking straw into the narrow fabric shape (or casing), pushing the end of the straw against the inside of the closed end of the fabric shape.  Hold the blunt end of a small crochet/knitting needle or skewer against the outside of the fabric's closed end. Gently push the needle / skewer and closed end of the fabric shape into the straw, slowly edging the sides of fabric shape up and over the needle / skewer until your fabric shape is turned out.  Now you are ready to stuff it. To do this, use either your needle / skewer (I actually prefer my long nosed surgical tweezers) to push in only small amounts of stuffing at a time. If you try to push in large pieces of stuffing, you will end up with lots of spaces and lumps. 

There you go. I hope this helps! 
​Margeaux
How to turn out tiny sewn shapes
Turning out fabric shape using straw and crochet needle
4 Comments
Cynthia link
28/1/2019 05:30:09 am

This is brilliant!!

Reply
velia
1/4/2019 06:45:01 am

With the tip of long hemostats, one can easily turn over the delicate pieces of arms,legs,feet, etc.

Reply
Joan Petersen Wiebe
20/10/2019 07:16:04 pm

That is brilliant- how you turn small things! Thank you!
I absolutely love your dolls! You are an amazing fiber artist! ♥️

Reply
Margeaux link
24/10/2019 01:42:50 pm

Thank you Joan!

Reply

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    Margeaux Davis aka Willowynn

    Hello

    My name is Margeaux Davis. I'm a doll-maker, sewing pattern designer and children's book illustrator, based in northern New South Wales, Australia.  

    ​Here I'll share what I'm making, as well as some hints and tips to help you sew your own soft toys... 


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  • About
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