sewing advice for beginners?

[ancient wren]

get yourself a bag of safety eyes, you won't regret it. Learn the backstitch and ladder stitch, it's all you need to start with plushies. Do NOT buy stuffing from Joanns, it's way marked up in price.

[ashen phoenix]

If you're able to, start with premade patterns so you get a feel for how the 2d shapes become 3d

If you're prone to accidentally harming yourself, look into getting finger guards while sewing. And get some fabric pens so that you can mark patterns onto it!

[shell aspen]

^depending on the type of fabric, colored pencils/plain pencil could work too to mark patterns :]

[tacit slate]

What type of project are you hoping to make?

I mostly hand sew although i have done some machine sewing, the most useful thing ive learned for plush making is, like it was mentioned above, the ladder stitch. However! If you are looking for more sturdy work, i highly recommend looking into how to tie a quilting knot for sewing! It makes tying off string super easy and you dont have to worry about the thread falling out of your needle
(Basically: knots are your friends! So are seam rippers)

[copper needle]

if anyone has any tips on fabrics for making a plushie thatd be nice!!

[unreal obsidian]

if you're able to get it minky fabrics are the top aim for making plushes, it's what squishmellows (and probably peepys? mines on the way) are made from

[lyric bison]

also (short) fluffy ones r very good!! just go to a fabric store/section of store and just feel up on the fabrics and pick ur favorite

of course, the longer the fluff is, the harder it is to stitch. that's why I recommend a shorter fluff, kinda like on the piggie I'm abt to to post to plushie pals.

[copper needle]

thanks!! ^-^

[copper needle]

mightve just broke janet (my sewing machine)

[tacit slate]

What type of sewing machine??

[copper needle]

brother xl-5130

[tacit slate]

what type of issue are you experiencing with it that makes you think you've broken it?

[copper needle]

it keeps like not working, like i pressed down too hard on the pedal and then the needle just like stopped movin and the whole sewing machine started making a weird noise and the thread came undone but it was strange probably something to do with the way i threaded the machine or the bottom thread but idk i’ll check on her tomorrow

[ancient wren]

Out of curiosity, why Janet?

[copper needle]

I started to name inanimate objects so that I can be more caring towards them. and one day i looked at her and janet was just the perfect name. she was sitting there all dusty and sad and i said sorry janet. cause i hadnt been doing any projects with her anymore.

[round perch]

me personally i fake it till i make it. i had to see a hole in my pete the cat plush and it looked nice. i’m not in it to make big things so i just do what looks right

[ancient wren]

Aaahh, I was wondering if it was a reference. In the VN planetarian, they call the planetarium projector light "Miss Jena" and you reminded me of it

[copper needle]

oh