If you're just getting started sewing soft toys, choosing the right fabric can make or break your project. The right material will help your toy look sharp, hold up to hugs, and actually resemble the charming character on the pattern cover.
Here’s your guide to picking the best fabric for your next softie — including some hard-earned lessons and playful warnings from years at the sewing table.
1. Follow the Pattern First (Seriously)
Before you go rogue with corduroy, flannel, or stretchy sparkly velour, take a beat and follow the fabric recommendations listed in the requirements. If the pattern has grainlines, follow them -they help determine which way your toy will stretch.
Using the suggested fabric, especially if it’s your first time sewing the pattern, will give you the best chance of softie success. It lets you learn how the pattern is meant to behave before trying out trickier or heavier materials. Trust me, it saves headaches and heartache and a ton of unpicking.
2. Say No to Stretch (for Clothes-Wearing Toys)
Planning to dress your toy in adorable handmade clothes? Stick with non-stretch fabrics for the toy itself, unless the pattern suggests otherwise.
Why? Because stretch fabric loves to grow… and grow… and grow. You may end up with a chonky toy that no longer fits the cute outfit you painstakingly made. Not ideal.
3. Be Careful with Solids (They Show Everything)
Solid fabrics may seem like a clean and simple choice — but beware. They’ll highlight every bump, seam wobble, and tiny stuffing inconsistency.
Instead, choose a "near-solid" fabric — something that reads like a solid from a distance but has a gentle pattern or texture to disguise imperfections. I absolutely adore Ruby Star Society’s Speckled range for this exact reason. It’s forgiving, gorgeous, and available in a rainbow of colours. I have used it for sharks, koalas, giraffes and foxes! (not sponsored-just love it).
4. Avoid Spots on the Face (Unless You Like Surprises)
Spotty fabrics are cute, but they can be high-risk for toy faces. One misaligned polka dot under an eyeball and suddenly your toy looks like it’s got three eyes.
I love using dots for clothing or body areas far from the facial features — but I avoid them for heads, faces, or anywhere that symmetry matters.
5. If You’re Using Felt, Make It Wool
If your softie pattern uses felt — for details or for the whole toy — do yourself a favour and use 100% wool felt (or as close to it as you can find).
Wool felt is sturdier, richer in colour, and holds up beautifully to hand-sewing, machine-sewing and wear. Acrylic felt, on the other hand, is crap (there I said it). You’ve put time and care into your sewing — let the materials match the effort.
At the end of the day, your fabric choice should reflect your softie’s personality and your own confidence level. Choose fabrics that feel good to work with, match the look you want, and don’t cause unnecessary drama (no lumpy solids, stretchy surprises, or polka-dot problems).
Once you’ve made the pattern once or twice, feel free to experiment ! I do love the odd tea towel or embroidered doily myself.
Happy Making !
