Pretty Foxes 🦊 In The Hoop Plushie Toy

"Pretty Foxes" 🦊 Plush Toy Tutorial

Recommended Materials

It is recommended to use a bi-stretch fabric that stretches in both length and width, such as minky fabric. However, these foxes can also be made from medium-weight cotton fabric, which may require more skill when turning the pieces right side out.

The designs are made for a 5x7 hoop, but I used a larger hoop since I made two foxes at once for my twins. I also recommend using a larger hoop, as it makes it easier to manage the small pieces.

Included Design Files

The download folder includes the following files:

1. FOX 1 body
2. FOX 2 body
3. Fox paws and tail
4. Skirt simple
5. Skirt with leaves

To make a fox toy, you will first need to prepare the paws and tail.

Embroidering the Paws and Tail

1. Hoop a tear-away stabilizer with one piece of minky or medium-weight cotton fabric, right side up.

2. Stitch the details for the paws and tail. Please do not unhoop your project yet!

3. Lay the second piece of fabric flat on top, with right sides together.
4. Stitch the final outline.

5. When the design has finished, unhoop your project.
6. Gently tear away the excess stabilizer and cut out the paw and tail shapes. Please do not cut too close to the seam. In the photo, the tail is cut correctly.

7. Trim and clip your seam allowances, especially on the curved edges, to reduce bulk. Be careful not to cut the seam!

8. Turn the paws and tail right side out. This may require some skill. You can watch a helpful video tutorial here: https://youtu.be/O298NkkQelw

9. You can use the blunt end of a pencil to slightly fill the paws and tail with fiberfill. Do not fill them too tightly, and leave about a ½ inch at the top unfilled.

Embroidering the Fox Body

The folder includes two versions of the fox body.

AND

1. Hoop a tear-away stabilizer with one piece of minky fabric.

2. Stitch the fox body outline and the face outline.

3. Make the fox face appliqué. Place a piece of white fabric, right side up, over the face shape, ensuring it is fully covered.

4. You can use tape to hold the white fabric in place. Stitch the tack-down outline.

5. Trim the excess fabric.

6. In the same way, stitch the optional fox bodice appliqué.

7. Stitch the fox’s eyes, nose, ears, and other decorations. Complete all embroidery before the last two assembly steps.

Assembling the Body

8. Now it is time to use the paws and tail. Arrange the details as they will appear when the fox is turned right side out.

9. Now, lay them inside the shape, facing inward. This is the most complicated step. Lay them one by one and secure them with tape. The "hands" should be crisscrossed.

10. The "legs" should be pointing up.

11. The tail should be pointing up.

12. Please forgive these photos for using a lot of tape. Be sure all paws and the tail are inside the fox body shape.

13. Now, run the machine to stitch the seam that will fix the legs and tail in place.

14. Lay the second piece of fabric on top with right sides together.

15. Lay the fabric accurately so it is flat around the fox.

16. Since I am using non-stretch medium-weight cotton fabric, I recommend making a small fold in the backing fabric where the legs are sewn on. The fold is not needed if you are using a stretch fabric.

… and fix the fold with tape. I also used pins to keep the fabric in place.

17. Stitch the final outline seam. Tip: Select an outline thread color that is close to your fabric color. Safety Note: Please keep your hands away from the machine and do not correct anything while it is stitching.

Finishing

18. Unhoop the project and remove the excess stabilizer.

19. Cut out the shape. You can optionally use zig-zag scissors, but regular scissors are also good.

20. If you use regular scissors, clip into the seam allowances along the curves. Make cuts as close as possible to the seam. Be careful not to cut the seam!

21. The most important clips are on the neck and ears.

22. Remember not to cut the seam when clipping the curves.

23. Turn the fox right side out through the opening.

24. You are almost done!

25. Fill the head and body with fiberfill.

26. Pin the opening closed and sew it by hand. (This photo is from another project, but the idea is the same). Stitching with two strands of thread will provide added strength. Hide the knotted end of the thread inside the project. For best results, use a ladder or invisible stitch. You can view a tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbE5hXt27uU

Fox Clothing

You will need two pieces of fabric, each 12x9 inches. I used tulle and a water-soluble stabilizer. Please note that tulle requires some stitching skill. It is also possible to use thin cotton fabric and a tear-away stabilizer.

Hoop the stabilizer only and stitch the straight guideline directly onto it.

Take a piece of fabric, fold it in half, and lay it inside the shape along the guideline. The folded edge will be the top of the skirt. Tape or pin the piece in place.

As I mentioned above, I am making two foxes at once, which is why I am making two skirts at once. If you are making only one fox, please follow the steps for the skirt labeled with a number 1 in the photos.

Stitch the decorations. Do not unhoop your project yet!

Fold the second piece of fabric in half.

…and lay it over the stitched detail, lining up the folded edge with the folded edge of the first fabric piece. It is helpful to use tape to keep the fabric flat while stitching.

Stitch the side seams and unhoop.

Trim the excess fabric on the sides, leaving about a ⅓ inch.

...and trim the excess stabilizer.

Rinse away the water-soluble stabilizer and turn the skirt right side out.

Insert a ribbon or trim into the waistband channel using a safety pin.

Congratulations! You are done!