Have you ever been in a dilemma when choosing fabrics for plush toys? Different fabrics can bring out various textures, appearances, and qualities in plush toys. In this blog, we’ll compare different types of plush toy fabrics to help you make better choices! 😊
Common Exterior Fabrics for Plush Toys
Plush Fabric
Plush fabric is the most commonly used material for plush toys. It’s made of polyester fibers, with a surface full of short and fine fibers that feel soft and smooth. It has vibrant colors, is durable, and resistant to fading. It’s perfect for most plush toys, especially those for babies and children. For example, simple animal – shaped plush toys often use this fabric to ensure a comfortable touch for kids.
Short Pile Fabric
As a type of plush fabric, short pile fabric has shorter fibers. It’s less fluffy but has a smoother surface. This makes it suitable for plush toys that need a delicate feel and a refined look. And it’s easier to clean and maintain, like small, delicate character plushies.
Velvet
Velvet is a premium fabric. Its surface fiber texture is unique, incredibly soft, and has a glossy sheen. It gives a luxurious feel, so it’s often used for high – end plush toys or as special keepsakes. Think of those high – end, limited – edition collectible plush toys.
Wool Fabric
Wool fabric is a natural fiber material. It has excellent breathability and warmth retention, is soft to the touch, and has good elasticity. Due to its hypoallergenic and antibacterial properties, it’s commonly used in baby toys and toys for people with sensitive skin.
Satin
Satin fabric is smooth and shiny, with a unique gloss finish. It’s often used for glamorous plush toys, such as delicate dolls or gift toys. However, it requires special care when cleaning as it’s prone to scratching or damage.
Knit Fabric
Knit fabric is soft and stretchy, made from natural or synthetic fibers. It’s suitable for plush toys that need to tightly wrap around the filling, especially those that require flexibility and changeable shapes. Winter plush toys or soothing toys for babies often use this fabric.
Oxford Cloth
Oxford cloth is durable and tough, with strong water and tear resistance. It’s ideal for outdoor plush toys or toys designed to withstand rough conditions. But it’s less soft than plush fabric, so it’s not commonly used for high – end or baby plush toys.
Canvas
Canvas is a very durable fabric, usually made from cotton fibers or synthetic materials. It’s strong and suitable for making large – sized plush toys with simple designs, like travel toys or backpack – shaped plushies.
Synthetic Fabrics
Besides polyester, plush toys can also be made from synthetic fibers like nylon or acrylic. These materials have strong abrasion resistance and UV protection, suitable for outdoor plush toys or those exposed to sunlight for long periods.
Specialized Plush Toy Fabrics
Velboa
The softness of the wool surface of velboa is generally not very good, and the printed sheared cloth may have a little hair fall. The wool length of the sheared cloth is usually 2.5 – 3.5mm, normally 3.00mm, and the curled sheared cloth can reach 5 – 10mm. When signing a contract, the wool length requirements should be noted.
Hipile
The wool length of Hipile is within 20 – 120mm. Any wool length can be made within 20 – 45mm, and only 65mm and 120 (110) mm are available above 45mm. The quality of raw yarn has a significant impact on it, so it’s recommended to use raw yarn of Japanese Mitsubishi grade or above.
Fleece
Fleece is readily available, comes in a wide variety of colors, and is relatively inexpensive. However, it’s a bit difficult to make high – detail plush with it due to its stretch and thickness. It’s also prone to pilling, so anti – pill fleece is a better choice.
Felt
Felt is made by matting and pressing fibers. It has no stretch, but its raw edges are super crisp when cut, and it looks the same on both sides. It’s great for detail work and can give plush toys a unique, hand – crafted look.
Cotton/Flannel
Cotton and flannel are woven fabrics with no stretch and will fray around the raw edges. They come in a huge variety of colors and prints, often used as accents to other fabrics.
Faux Fur
Faux fur has a long, fur – like pile. It’s difficult to work with as it has no stretch, is not very soft, and needs to be cut carefully. But it can give plush toys a realistic hair texture.
Tips for Choosing Plush Toy Fabrics
When choosing fabrics for plush toys, you should consider the toy’s purpose, target audience, and your budget. For baby toys, prioritize softness and safety, such as minky or wool fabric. If it’s an outdoor toy, durability is more important, so Oxford cloth or synthetic fabrics are good choices. Also, always check the fabric quality, including density, handle smoothness, raw yarn quality, and dyeing accuracy.
In conclusion, understanding the differences between various plush toy fabrics is crucial for creating high – quality plush toys. By comparing these fabrics, you can select the most suitable one for your plush toy project. So, next time you’re in the market for plush toy fabrics, you’ll be well – equipped to make the right decision! 🛍️
Remember, the right fabric can turn your plush toy into a lovable and long – lasting companion! 😘
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