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Don’t Toy with Safety
By Susan NeallA handmade gift is always a pleasure to make and to give and there are few more appreciative recipients than children. The superb array of toy patterns on the market makes the job of selection fun and easy. Your special gift could become an inseparable companion, so you should consider the safety and durability of your creation to ensure it will be hugged and not just displayed. Stuffed dolls, bears and animals can be as simple or as elaborate as your time or your sewing skills will allow. The major pattern companies offer a comprehensive choice and specialty craft and home maker publications regularly include new designs and patterns. Patchwork and craft stores offer specialty doll and bear patterns and all the right equipment. As with any sewing project you can generally proceed with little more than a needle and thread, or your sewing machine, but specialty tools and notions will always save you time and make the job easier. Always consider the age of the recipient of your work of love. A baby or toddler will always taste your toy as well as cuddle it, so keep the toy soft, non toxic and washable and avoid sewn on decorations such as eyes, beads, flowers and bells. Avoid scratchy lace, hair or fabric. Ribbons or bows should be short and firmly attached and any noisemaker should be securely embedded inside the toy (make sure the noisemaker is washable too). If you select a pile fabric such as fake fur, terry towelling, brushed chenille or velveteen make sure that it won’t moult. To reinforce seams at stress areas either double stitch the seam, use a reinforcing or overlock stitch if your machine has one and use a product called ‘Fray Check’ which will also stop knots from undoing and seam allowances and ribbons from fraying. Look at the wide variety of safety-lock eyes and noses available in haberdashery departments. The eyes and noses are securely fastened with a locking washer inside the toy. Once the washer is attached it cannot be removed, but you must ensure that the entire piece can’t be dislodged and devoured. They will only dislodge if the post hole is too large and the washer works its way to the outside. To prevent this, work a small space between the threads of the toy fabric with a blunt but pointed object – do this instead of cutting a hole for the shank – or press the shank in between stitches at a seamline. For an attractive alternative try creating an appliqué or embroidered face. When dressing your toy ensure the method of attachment is age appropriate. For a baby, sew the garment permanently to the toy. For a child aged three to five years, use the garment as a teaching tool by adding large buttons, buttonholes, press studs and ribbons to practise tying bows and buttoning For speed and convienience with older children try Velcro dots. TOY FILLING: Plastic pellets and weights are available for toys that you want to pose or sit in an upright position, but these should be kept away from young children. BASIC TOOLS OF THE TRADE: Doll Needles are extra long needles designed to easily pass through fibrefill and thick sections. They are ideal for sewing on eyes and creating dimples, knee and elbow indentations. There are several stuffing tools available to help push the fibrefill into hard to reach spaces and pack it in tightly. Alternatively a wooden chopstick is a homemade alternative. TIP: |
