Plushie Craft!

I know that when it comes to making something, having patterns and tutorials always helps me to learn something new. Here, I've compiled the plushie-type tutorials I could find on Deviant Art to hopefully get something creative going this summer!

Try doing some of these, and then modifying them to make your own critters, and be sure to share links to what you've made so we can all see!

All of these tutorials were found right here on Deviant Art, under Resources -> Tutorials -> Artisan Crafts!

Easy Plushie Tutorials

Felt Mini Stuffie Tutorial by ~RyuuseiHime


Cute and simple, this is one great way to make your own characters into little stuffies, while still learning the basics of sewing!

Food Critter Pattern Sheets by ~coconut-lane


These are some of the cutest things ever (why am I obsessed with the pomegranate myself?) and she was kind enough to share them all with us. This goes to show that simple shapes are sometimes not as simple as you'd think, when making them 3-dimensional. These should give you some ideas to build upon (or, you could make an entire onigiri army...)

Baby Snitch Pattern by *almaxaquotal


We all know that the next Harry Potter movie and the final book will be out soon, so some of us crazy cosplayers have outfits ready (or, are getting them ready!) so why not have a little baby snitch along with us? It will be the cutest thing most people have seen - I know I'm making myself one this weekend!

Intermediate Plushie Tutorials

Cthulhu Pattern by ~MissVee


Okay, this is up here because I have a deep fandom with H.P. Lovecraft and the Elder Gods, especially Cthulhu, and this plush is just too cute. It was very kind of ~MissVee to put up the pattern, too. It's not too difficult, but I put it in the "intermediate" category mostly for the feet - these shapes are something that would even help most cosplayers creating odd feets and whatnot.

Advanced Plushie Tutorials

Chao Plush Tutorial by *VesteNotus


I personally haven't gotten to use this tutorial, but I have looked through it, and it is super cute, and just takes some time - this is a good longer project to take on, or a more advanced shape creation plush if you've made some before!

Shadow Heartless Plush Pattern by *Risachantag


Another one I have personally not gotten to make yet, but that's because my plushie skillz are somewhere around the 2 out of 10 range. I do recommend you print all the information out, and read through these instructions before you begin - reading the instructions on any pattern is the first thing you should always do, to make yourself more familiar with what you're getting yourself into!

Plushie Making Books

Amazingly, there are starting to be books published on making crazy plushie creatures, not just stuffed animals! After a trip to Barnes & Noble, here is what I came up with for books that would be useful to you if you're interested in making more plushies (or, were just too cute not to put up here!)

Plush-o-Rama: Curious Creatures for Immature Adults
I have this book, and it's fantastic, and seems to work well for all levels of plushie creation - there are some very simple things, and some more complicated as well.

Stupid Sock Creatures: Making Quirky, Lovable Figures from Cast-off Socks
I bought this one for my fiancé's sister for Christmas this year, because it was so cute, and it's a great beginning place for making odd sock creatures! A friend of mine (~MedeaHiasobi) also has the book, and has made some very cute critters from it:


The Cute Book
Mostly pictures, but gives you some ideas on what you can make with a little creativity, and some cute situations to take pictures of your newly-created plushies in!

Cats, Rats & Other Creatures
Another one I saw at the store, and immediately thought it would just be for making traditional stuffed animals, but looking through it, they give you some great ideas on how to modify and create your own plushies! It's one book on my wishlist now.

Creative Soft Toys to Sew
One book that has some really cute shapes in it, and many would make perfect bases for a lot of character plushies I've seen out there.



So, hopefully those give you some ideas of things to do next time you're really bored and really want to make something! I highly recommend you browse through the Artisan Crafts -> Textiles -> Plushies category for more inspiration on really cute and cool plushies you can make - you never know what you'll come up with until you try!

As always, if you make anything from these tutorials, please post a reply and we'll get them into the article, so everyone can see what you've done! Tutorials are a wonderful resource here, especially to the Artisan Crafts community. Take advantage of them - you never know what you'll learn!