Stuffed Plush Keychain
Time: 30 minutes
What you need:
Felt or fleece fabric
Sewing thread or embroidery floss
1 large sewing needle
Fabric scissors
Marker or fabric marking tool
Fiber fill stuffing
4 inch strip of thin ribbon
Glue
Key chain hook
What you do:
Fold one piece of fabric in half.
Draw a simple shape, like a circle or a heart, on the top layer. Make your shape about 3-4 inches wide.
Use fabric scissors to cut out the shape through both layers of fabric. You should now have two matching pieces.
Now, we're going to create the loop for our keychain
Take the 4-inch piece of ribbon and fold it in half to make a loop.
Glue the two ends of the ribbon together.
Place the ribbon between the two fabric pieces, at the top, where you want your keychain to hang. Hide the end of the ribbon between the fabric, and let the loop stick out about 1 inch.
Next, we have to sew it all together
Cut about 3 feet of sewing thread and thread it through your needle.
Take the end of the thread and tie a double knot.
Starting about 1/4 inch from the edge of your design, push the needle through both layers of fabric from the back to the front. Pull the thread until the knot stops it.
Take your needle about 1/4 inch to the left of your first stich and push the needle through both layers again.
Continue to repeat this stitch, working your way around the design. Make sure to keep your stitches about 1/4 inch apart.
When you reach your ribbon loop, make sure to sew through the ends to hold the loop securely in place.
Continue sewing until you have about 2 inches left unsewn and then stop so you can add the stuffing.
Fill your plush with fiber fill stuffing through the 2-inch opening.
Once your plush is stuffed, sew the opening closed.
Lastly, decorate the outside of your plush and attach a keychain clip to the top of your loop.
Questions to ask:
How did your stitching abilities change as you continued to sew? Did you improve?
If you were to make a second plush keychain, what is something you would do differently?
What's the science:
Sewing is heavily connected with mathematics; it involves precise measurements, pattern recognition, and an understanding of geometry. Often, when sewing a plush, for example, you must consider the 3D shapes that will result from attaching 2D fabric cutouts together in specific ways. If the fabric is not measured properly, it may not fit together as needed. And if a stitch is not done correctly, it may unravel or look uneven.
Hand-sewing is a skill that requires creativity, patience and practice to master. It is common when first learning to sew to make mistakes and have to undo work or start over completely. However, through practice, problem-solving and perseverance, sewing can be an incredible art form and useful life skill.