I wanted to share this method, that I use to turn small softie pieces out the right way. I use 2 simple tools. The first tool is an empty pen barrel, thick straw, or in this case the empty barrel of a “crayola twistable”. The second tool is a paintbrush, crochet hook or knitting needle, as long as it is not so pointy that it will make a hole in the fabric.The only constraints are that; a) the pen barrel should be able to fit inside the piece you need to turn, and b) the end of the paintbrush needs to be able to fit inside the end of the pen barrel (it does not need to fit all the way in, just in the end).
1) Put the pen barrel inside the softie pieces that needs to be turned out, which in this case is my Monster Chef Tentacle. Push it right up to the closed end.
2) Take the pointy end of the paintbrush, and push it into the end of the pen barrel, which will push a small part of the fabric in there too.
3) Slide the fabric up the pen barrel, towards the paintbrush, while keeping the end of the paintbrush firmly inside the pen barrel.
4) Keep sliding the fabric towards the paintbrush, while exerting enough pressure so that the end of the paintbrush is still inside the end of the pen barrel.
5) Keep sliding the fabric up the paintbrush. Now it has started turning out the right way.
6) The pen barrel may remain hanging on the end, but it is not necessary anymore. Keep sliding the fabric up the paintbrush.
8) Run the paintbrush gently around all the seams to make sure they are entirely turned out the right way.
Finished. You can see me perform this same trick on an even smaller bunny ear here.
Let me know if you have any questions, and I will endeavor to answer them in the comments.
this is genius. I wish I had known this years and (many thin arms and legs of soft toys) ago.
Thanks so much Julie.
I hope it comes in handy in the future.
Hello,
I saw online a 10th birthday party where the kids were doing
sticheries as faces…it is a circle (looks like made of wood) where you strech the fabric and close the circle….
what is it called and where can I buy it….I don’t even know what it is called but I need it for my daughters birthday party. can I buy it from you?