Eden and Friends: Repairing stuffed animals and dolls

Every now and then I get asked to repair a stuffed animal that a maybe dog has got hold of, or is older and needs parts replaced that have been lost due to time and much loving.

Sometimes this is easy and I can just replace those parts as I have what I need on hand. Other times I have to hunt for replacement bits or furs.

My latest repair is a beautiful timber wolf that got himself into trouble when the puppy thought he was a chew toy. His nose has been ripped on both sides but thankfully the muzzle is still attached and the nose is not missing. The puppy also did not get the eyes out. The first thing I did was to get a stuffed animal cleaner spray such as the one that Build a Bear sells. I spray that on liberally and wipe it off with a paper towel. I do this several times being careful not to rip the muzzle even more. Once it is clean it is easier to sew. I try to get the closest thread color match to the fabric I can get in a strong thread such as an upholstery thread. Starting on one side of the muzzle, using ladder stitch in very small stitches I sew from one side of the rip to the other. Pull it tight very carefully and secure the tread. Now I can carefully brush fur out of the seam and check that the rip is now invisible.

Muzzle rip before repair

Muzzle repaired and rip not visible

Another part of the poor wolf missing in action were his ears. They were almost chewed off. To be able to repair them I had to cut off what was left of them. Trim slowly and carefully. As the ears are sewn to the inside of the head on this kind of stuffed animal you cannot really remove them completely. Cut the ear down as close as you can to the head and be careful not to cut the fur on either side.

Ears trimmed down to the head ready to sew new ears on

Ears trimmed right down

Of course I had to make new ears. Try to find fabric that matches (as close as you can) in color and in fur length (the pile) and type of fabric. I used polyester faux fur in a length and finish called Beaver here. I used what I had trimmed off of the ears to help make a pattern. Good old geometry as I had the base of the triangle and an idea of how high they needed to be. Trace the ear pattern onto the fur fabric on the back of the fabric. Carefully cut them out- cut the backing only and not the fur- small scissors are essential! Tuck the fur into the ear as you pin the parts together. The young lady who owns the wolf asked for black ears on the back. Sew the parts, turn right side out and make sure they are turned all the way. Sometimes if there is a tip of an ear that part of the ear has to have the seam trimmed down as close as you can get to the stitching. If you are worried about the fabric holding up to wear you can fray check the tip.

Once turned the ears can now be sewn onto the head. I use ladder stitch to attach them. I start on one side (the base of the ear is easier for me) and ladder stitch that color to the front of the trimmed ear that is left. I then stitch the back (black in this case) of the ear again with ladder stitch, and make sure it covers what is left of the original ear. In other words the trimmed ear has now been covered with the new ear and no part of it can be see or felt : )