What you need to sew soft toys

A machine, sharp scissors, clips, a marker, hemostats and stuffing.

• A reliable sewing machine.
• Sharp fabric scissors.
• Pins or clips for curved seams.
• A water-soluble fabric marker.
• Hemostats for turning narrow pieces and stuffing corners.
• A seam ripper.
• Toy stuffing and a beginner pattern.
• Safety for under-3s: for babies and children under 3, embroider the eyes and face instead of using buttons, beads or plastic safety eyes, and sew every part on securely. Small parts can come loose and are a choking risk (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission small-parts guidance).

Sources

All checked November 1, 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.

1. Jodie RicRac: How to sew soft toys, a beginner's guide
2. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Small parts and choking hazards