Family & Friends

What’s up with Stuffing?

June 15, 2010 / 16 Comments

Did you know not all stuffing is the same?  I’m not talking about your grandmother’s Thanksgiving stuffing, but the stuffing you buy to make dolls, toys, pillows etc.  That little white polyester fiber can make a big difference in how your project looks.  And  no one ever seems to talk about things like stuffing.  So while I’m in Paris, I thought I could jabber away here about stuffing.  I’ll be drinking Perrier and you’ll be reading about stuffing.  Please don’t delete my blog from your reading list!

Here’s the real truth about stuffing.  There’s a big difference between the stuffing you pick up at the discount store and the stuffing you buy at your local quilt store.

Years ago I was taking a class and someone (can’t remember who)  introduced me to “Hobbs” stuffing.   You can find it at your local quilt store.  Pick up a bag and do a test.  Open the cheap polyester stuffing that you probably have in your closet and then open the Hobbs.  Touch it, feel it in your fingers, push on it and watch the bounce back. Watch how the fibers cling together.   Hobb’s stuffing clings together, is less porous, and feels more like cotton or wool fibers.   When you stuff with Hobbs it stays where you put it.  When you stuff with the inexpensive stuffing it bounces right back and is less likely to stay put.   Hobbs is it’s the best polyester stuffing you can find!

We’ve added it to our web site, but look  for it at your local quilt store first to save on shipping and keep the economy local.   I guarantee you’ll like it.

And here’s a few tips for stuffing my newest petite pattern “Scooter Pie”.  Stuff those little ears first with tiny finger fulls of stuffing.   Stuff the tail the same way, tiny amounts of stuffing added bit by bit.  Push with a stuffing tool or the blunt end of a wood chop stick.  A finger full of stuffing at a time for the small areas, and larger amounts for the larger areas.  And then when you think you can’t stuff her anymore, add more stuffing!

Hugs from Europe everyone!   No, my feet aren’t hurting and I’m not tired either.  I’ll be at a Cath Kidston store in London tomorrow! We’re taking the train from Paris to London.   I have a huge shopping list!

Sweet dreams, even if we are hours apart!

Anne

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16 Comments

  • Leona

    June 18, 2010 at 10:55 am Reply

    Cath Kidson! Oh heaven! Please take pictures and I will live vicariously through you. As for the stuffing, I have always had inconsistent results when stuffing animals. I never even dreamed that it could be due to the quality of the stuffing. Thanks for the info.

  • Anne

    June 17, 2010 at 9:08 am Reply

    I look forward to this site every day!
    All of you are so friendly and helpful that I’m hoping one of you can help a friend of mine. Maurita is just about finished knitting a sweater for her daughter (a really long sweater) and now needs 5 more skeins! The yarn is by DIVE TESEO (Vergnasco, Italy) #44146 Blues/variegated, 55% wool/45% microfiber (50gm/1.75 oz) She is not too concerned about dye lots because it’s varigated. Apparently, it is now discontinued. Surely, there is more SOMEWHERE,OUT THERE! If you can help please post here or email me at ladygolfer18@comcast.net THANK YOU!! Anne

  • Diana

    June 16, 2010 at 11:24 pm Reply

    Have fun at Cath Kidston’s store! The quilters here in Taiwan are crazy about her oilcloth. We use the oilcloth to make bags and more bags…!

  • mimi'sdarlins

    June 16, 2010 at 7:58 am Reply

    Hi, Anne! Miss you but so happy you’re having fun! I agree about stuffing, can’t remember which kind I buy, but it costs more and so worth it! I will have to try Hobbs though, love their batting, too! London shopping is so amazing, I know you’ll have a blast :-)

  • Jean

    June 16, 2010 at 7:15 am Reply

    Amen to to your advise! We used Hobbs stuffing in your class at your recommendation and it made a world of difference. The other stuffing keeps trying to escape. Glad you are having a wonderful trip!

  • Kaaren Babb

    June 16, 2010 at 6:08 am Reply

    I love the Presencia too, Anne. I’ve been using it for a couple of years, and can’t remember who talked about it first. Lynne T? Maybe. It’s the most non-linty of all the threads. Great stuff!

  • Marcia

    June 16, 2010 at 5:14 am Reply

    LOL, what a timely post. I was just last night stuffing Scooter Pie. I will try to find the Hobbs stuffing. I have the “other” and it’s really hard to get the stuffing in the tail and ears and have it stay put. Thank you for the information; couldn’t have come at a better time. I’ll put my little Scooter Pies aside until I get their proper insides.
    thanks

  • Dawn

    June 16, 2010 at 4:39 am Reply

    Welcome to the U.K. Anne, have a great time shopping at CK, lots of lovely things to buy. We have sunshine here too , enjoy your trip.
    Dawn

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