How to add strap to a soft toy
The implementation of a strap to a soft toy can transform an ordinary soft toy into an object with purpose and utility which is a companion. If your designing a cute backpack for your kid or you are adding a strap to make it easier to carry, the process is easy and needs a few tools. And that is what I am going to explain in this guide: how to successfully add a strap to a soft toy.
Materials You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather the following materials:
Soft toy or more specifically a doll, teddy bear, stuffed animal or plush
Material for the strap (cotton, nylon, or any other material like that)
Scissors
Purchase of sewing needle and thread (Sewing machine optional).
Measuring tape or ruler
Pins (optional)
Strong glue for fabric (if you decide not to sew the hem)
Sewing pins or clips as a SS (optional).
D-rings or swivel hooks (optional in the sense that they allow you to make the strap further customizable).
Select Suitable Fabric to Be used in the Strap
The first thing that needs to be done when starting the process of sewing a strap to your soft toy is determining the fabric. Well, again it is necessary to use a very strong and rather heavy material possibly if the toy is often carried about. Fabric like cotton or nylon should be used more often since they will not be abrasive to the skin and because they are strong enough to be used all the time. You also have to chose the type of strap and the width and the length of strap depending on the usage of the toy i.e. whether it would be hanged somewhere or put around the neck like a backpack.
Select the fabric that will blend with the toy color or texture to create coordination or pick a different color to make the strap an attractive addition.
Measure and Cut the Strap
The next procedure is to put the measurement and cut the strap. The length of the strap will depend on how the toy will be carried; whether, it will be hung somewhere or just placed in one corner of the room. Regarding the location, the length will directly depend on where it’s located; If you are adding a backpack strap, it is preferably to use 18 to 24 inches long but not necessarily limited to it.
Base on the size of the watch find the right length of the strap using a measuring tape.
Make two strips of fabric of about 2-3 inches width and the desired length. If the garment calls for additional of adjustable bands, there will be additional length for connecting D-rings or hooks.
On the contrary, if you desire a wider strap, you can simply fold the fabric to the middle and then sew along the edges to get a stronger band. If you desire a less complicated strap that is not as wide, then you cut your strip to the required thickness.
Attach the Strap to the Toy
Having your strap pieces all ready and designed,
Sewing the Strap onto the Toy
Staple the ends of the strap on the intended position on the toy. If you wish the strap to be a shoulder strap or a backpack type, put the two ends above the back or the sides of this toy. You can choose to use fabric marker or chalk to demarcate the point where the logo can be placed.
How to add strap to a soft toy using needle and thread. One needs to start by putting the fabric under the needle and then scribe across and across to ensure the strap is well sown. This work will be easier and faster if you are using a sewing machine to make the holes needed to weave the wool.
To make it even stronger, one should see that when stitching the parts together, they go over the stitches several times.
After connecting the strap you should cut of all remaining extra thread or fabric.
Applying Fabric Glue for Non-Seam Sealing
But if you don’t like sewing, fabric glue can be used instead too. Rub a small strip of fabric glue to the two ends of the strap, and then fold them to the toy at the desired position. Wait for several hours after applying glue before you use the toy.
As we have seen earlier, fabric glue is an effective solution when it comes to toy designing but compared to sewing the design may not last long if the toy is usually thrown around. So, ensure you use enough glue and ensure that the glue has dried up.
Far more important adding adjustability (Optional)
If the strap needs to be adjustable you should add the D-rings or swivel hooks to enhance the length of it.
Using D-Rings: Turn in the ends of the strap and then stitch around the D-ring with good strength. Screw the other end of the D-rings at the place of your choice on the toy. This make it possible for you to have a possibility of shortening or elongating the strap by threading it in the rings.
Using Swivel Hooks: The other kind is those that are swivel hooks which makes mobility and positioning simpler and easier. Sew the strap ends to the hooks on the toy so that it could form a fashionable and practical addition.
Other suitable types of toys that are worn or carried by kids are the adjustable straps since they have flexibility.
Strengthen the strap to make it hard wearing.
As a result of wear and tear check the strap has adequate strength, reinforce the points of connection. This is especially so if the strap will come into contact with weighty toys or in case the toy is frequently used. You can do this by: How to draw a optimus prime toy
Embroidering the surrounding region of where the strap is sown with additional stitches.
Incorporating a double layer of fabric for the strap itself in order to get an added strength.
Most of the strap designs incorporated bolstering of the strap with an additional fabric layer.
Strengthening these areas contribute to the fact that the strap will not break under stress.
Go ahead to test the Strap and adjust if necessary
However, there is a chance you could fall and you should therefore make sure to test the strap before bringing it to a halt. Slightly tug on the strap in order to ensure that is properly fitted onto the material as well as to consider its preferred size. In case the strap is too long or too short one should be able to work on the length either by sewing or by moving the anchoring points of the strap of the toy.
Conclusion
Ataching a strap to a soft toy is a very good idea to make the toy more interesting as well as having more functionalities. It does ‘upgrade’ the toy, because if you’re making a soft toy backpack for a child or just add a strap for more convenient carrying the new feature increases the toy’s applicability. By using only three or four items it is possible to construct a strong strap upon which one is capable of carrying the toy in a sling.
Following the above steps, you are sure to convert any soft toy into a portable, functional and fashionable accessory for any given day’s use. If you are doing it to give or even making it for yourself then you will definitely have loads of fun making it.
