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Buying the mechanisms
The toy movements that are being used in these projects are on sale from Rapid, Buy animation mechanisms here. Although they do not include sound effects, these can also be supplied by Rapid, See our range of sound and light modules here.
Filling with polyester hollowfibre
When making the toys and filling them with polyester hollowfibre, care has to be taken not to foul the movement or restrict some of the joints. It may be necessary to enclose the tiny gears in a plastic bag or to make a lining 'sleeve' to prevent stuffing from being wound around inside.
Covering the mechanism and base
In most cases the base can be left showing and the fabric can be glued around the edge with clear Bostik or tiny holes melted/drilled in the base edge to allow stitches to be made to joint the fabric onto it. A few of the movements may ned to be screwed to a thin acrylic or plywood base in order to use the switches. If the base is to be covered a thin pad with Velcro on is usually sufficient.
Ideas for templates and methods of making
There are a great deal of toys on the market from which you can get ideas and methods of making. Find the seams in some of the most simple 'Beanie' toys and there you have a foundation for a design. Teddy bear patterns are readily available and old toys from car boot sales can be cut open to form your first template with very little alterations needed for a pupil to make a toy from them. For instance a teddy can become a dog or horse by lengthening the side panels of the nose and allowing a longer or thicker gusset with, of course longer legs and different ears. it is often easier to make a head separately and to hand-sew it onto the body ,last, but real care is needed to make sure that the neck is wide enough to pass over the movement.
Different stuffings to achieve different effects
Many fantasy creatures can be created by using a simple tube body, tube legs and arms and silhouette head side panels sewn with a shaped gusset from neck to chin around the edge. Lots of details can be added to the body fabric prior to joining the seams (more details here) but this depends on whether the project is for examination at KS4 or KS3 modules when time is short and costs must be kept low. Stuffings can be different depending on the effect wanted with heavier beans, sand or rice used in the feet and hands/paws. This method can be used to allow the legs to hang over a shelf.
Testing patterns on paper or old fabric first
It is a good idea to try out a pattern in paper or old fabric to make sure that it fits the movement and that it is possible for a pupil to put it together. Most pupils will prefer to try out a paper figure before cutting the more expensive fabric - they also become more familiar with the pattern concept. The use of old flowery fabric can also bring home the need to have pattern pieces cut out with the right side opposite for opposite sides of the head for instance - especially if using fur fabrics!!
Step 2 - Decorating your toy fabric
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