What Christmas traditions does your family have? Growing up, I always went to see The Nutcracker because my best friend danced in it, so it feels extra special to start taking my own kids now! I jumped at the chance to share how to sew stuffed toys with nutcracker fabric because we’re going next weekend, and they were a fun way to surprise them.
This post was sponsored by JOANN, which means they supplied The Nutcracker fabric panel, supplies, and compensated me for my time, but all opinions are my own.
We now have a Nutcracker, Clara, and Rat King hanging out in the kids’ beds and they’re begging to bring them to the play with us.
This is a great way to try out sewing stuffed animals because it’s so easy! Keep reading to see how to sew stuffed toys with nutcracker fabric, I have a photo for each step.
You might be wondering why I didn’t just sew them from the fabric, adding an accent background instead. I just prefer how it looks! I sewed up a quick example to show the difference above, it’s just personal preference.
If you like this post, check out these other posts while you’re here!
- 20+ super fun Christmas sewing projects
- 50+ free printable stuffed animal patterns
- I used a similar technique for this project – how to upcycle a t-shirt into a stuffed animal
Pin this how to sew stuffed toys with nutcracker fabric tutorial for later using this link or collage image:
Ready to make your own?
How to sew stuffed toys with nutcracker fabric
Supplies
- 1/2 yard of the nutcracker fabric, for 1 set of doll faces
- Heat n bond lite
- 1/4 yard per color of kona cotton
- Polyfill or other stuffing
- Iron – I used my Cricut Easypress
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Hand sewing needle
- Coordinating thread
Steps
Before anything else, prewash your fabrics! Also, it should be noted that I took the pictures cutting more precisely around Clara and didn’t love the finished doll, so the finished doll is a different version where I traced more loosely around her legs.
Step 1- Cut a piece of the Heat n bond that is larger than the doll and adhere according to packaging instructions, to the back/wrong side. Let cool.
Step 2- Sketch loosely around the doll with a pencil or marking pen. I just eyeballed it, you could measure around to be precise if you wanted, too. Then cut along your line, peel off the paper backing.
Step 3- Use the iron again to adhere the doll to the backing cotton, let cool.
Step 4- Repeat step 2, keeping in mind you will have a seam allowance as well, so leave space to sew the edges together.
Step 5- Use the top piece as a template, cutting out a mirrored image of the same cotton.
Step 6- Stitch around the raw edge or with a zigzag over the edge. Lay the body pieces right sides together and stitch with 1/4″ seam allowance, leaving a 3-4″ gap open.
Step 7- Clip the curve and dips!
Step 8- Turn right side out and press, add stuffing.
Step 9- Use a ladder stitch to close and you’re done!
Nice, squishy Nutcracker soft dolls!