Pretty Tiger – In The Hoop Plushie Toy

Tigers Family 🐮 Plush Toy Tutorial

Recommended Fabric: Use bi-stretch fabric that stretches in both length and width — for example, minky fabric. Leopards can also be made from medium-weight cotton fabric, though that requires more skill when turning the pieces right side out.

Designs are made for a 5x7 hoop, but I used a larger hoop since I made two tigers at once for my twins. A larger hoop also makes it easier to manage details.

Note: Sometimes you should pause the machine and remove the hoop, but do not unhoop your project!

Files included in the download folder:

1. Tiger body 1
2. Tiger body 2
3. Paws and tail
4. Pants
5. Skirt

Step 1 – Paws and Tail

To make the Tiger toy, you’ll start with the paws and tail.

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

2. Stitch the paws and tail. Pause the machine before the last step and remove the hoop from the machine — but do not unhoop the project!

Sorry, I forgot to take photos at this step. The picture below shows paws and a tail from another project:

3. Lay a second piece of fabric right side down over the hoop, covering the paws and tail. Use tape or pins to hold it in place.
4. Stitch the outline (example shown below from another project).

5. Unhoop the project. Tear away the excess stabilizer and cut out the paws and tail, leaving about ¼ inch seam allowance. Do not cut too close to the seam.

6. Trim and clip seam allowances to reduce bulk. Clip curved edges so they’ll lie flat when turned. Be careful not to cut into the seam.

(Example photo from another project, showing clipped edges.)

7. Turn the paws and tail right side out.
   If using non-stretch fabric (like medium-weight cotton), this step requires more skill.
   Watch this helpful video tutorial:
8. Lightly stuff the paws and tail with fiber fill. Use the blunt end of a pencil or similar tool. Do not overfill — leave about ½ inch free at the ends.

9. Put the paws and tail aside for later steps.

Step 2 – Tiger Head and Body

There are 2 versions of Tiger body files included in the folder:

AND

1. Hoop tear-away stabilizer with one piece of medium-weight cotton or minky fabric. If using minky, add a water-soluble film stabilizer topping. Stitch the Tiger body outline, stripes, ears, face, eyes, and nose. Complete everything except the last two steps. (Photo below shows Tiger body 2.)

2. For Tiger body 1, make a T-shirt appliqué:
   • Stitch the T-shirt outline.
   • Place appliqué fabric (e.g., light blue) right side up over the T-shirt shape. Be sure the shape is fully covered. Use tape if needed.

3. Stitch the appliqué outline. Remove tape and trim excess fabric close to the seam, as shown below.

4. Stitch the satin stitch on the neckline.

5. Now it’s time to attach the paws and tail. Arrange the pieces as they will look when the Tiger is turned right side out.

6. Turn the paws and tail inside the body shape. This is the trickiest step — lay them carefully, fixing each one in place with tape.

• Legs should point upward.
• Hands should cross in an “X”.
• Tail should face to the side.
Be sure all parts are taped securely inside the Tiger body shape.

8. Run the machine to stitch the seam that secures the paws and tail.
9. Place the second piece of fabric on top, right side down, covering the body shape.

Tip: If you’re using non-stretch cotton fabric, add a small fold at the bottom where the legs meet. This prevents pulling. No fold is needed with stretch fabric. Tape the fold securely.

10. Stitch the final outline seam.
    Tip: Use a thread color that closely matches your fabric.

11. Unhoop the design and remove excess stabilizer.

12. Cut out the body shape. You can use zig-zag scissors for a decorative edge, but regular scissors work fine too.

13. If you use regular scissors, clip into the seam allowances along curves. Make cuts as close as possible to the seam, but do not cut the seam! Pay special attention to clipping at the neck and ears.

14. Turn the Tiger right side out through the opening. You’re almost done!

15. Stuff the head and body with fiber fill until firm but not overstuffed.
16. Close the opening with a ladder (invisible) stitch by hand. Use two strands of thread for strength. Hide knots inside the fabric.
    Watch this video tutorial for the ladder stitch:

Step 3 – Tiger Clothing

The set includes patterns for both a skirt and pants.

AND

You will need two fabric pieces measuring 12x9 inches (or 6x5 inches if using a 5x7 hoop or making only one clothing piece).

 

Step 3A – Sewing the Skirt

For the skirt, I used thin cotton fabric and tear-away stabilizer.

You will need 2 fabric pieces, each measuring 12x9 inches (or 6x5 inches if using a 5x7 hoop).

1. Hoop stabilizer only and stitch a straight line guideline directly onto the stabilizer.

2. Fold the first fabric piece in half and place it along the guideline. Align the folded edge with the stitched line — this will be the top of the skirt. Tape or pin it in place.

3. Stitch the decorative details onto the fabric.
   Do not unhoop yet!

4. Fold the second fabric piece in half and place it over the first, aligning folded edges. Tape or pin securely so it stays flat during stitching.

5. Stitch the side seams and unhoop the project.

6. Remove excess stabilizer. Trim side seams, leaving about ⅓ inch. At the bottom, trim close to the seam (but don’t cut the stitches).

7. Insert ribbon or trim through the top channel using a safety pin.

The skirt is ready to wear!
Slide it onto the Tiger (or Leopard), passing the tail through the side opening, and tie the ribbon into a bow.

Step 3B – Sewing the Pants

Now let’s make the pants. I used medium-weight cotton fabric and tear-away stabilizer.

1. Hoop stabilizer only and stitch the pants outline directly onto the stabilizer.

2. Fold the first fabric piece in half and place it along the top of the pants outline. The folded edge will be at the top of the pants. Tape or pin in place.

3. Stitch the decorative details.
   Do not unhoop yet!

4. Fold the second fabric piece in half and place it over the first, aligning folded edges. Tape or pin securely so the fabric stays flat during stitching.

5. Stitch the side seams and unhoop.
   Note: These photos are from another project. Your pants will include an opening for the Tiger’s tail, not shown here.

6. Tear away excess stabilizer. Trim the bottom edges close to the seam. Leave about ¼ inch seam allowance on the sides. Make a small clip between the pant legs, but be careful not to cut the seam.

7. Turn the pants right side out.

Final Step – Congratulations!

Congratulations, your Tiger (or Leopard) plush toy is finished — complete with clothing!