Claw Tutorial!
Here's my method of adding claws to a plush! There were a ton of photos so I had to use collages, so each bit of text will be explaining the multiple steps pictured in each collage. C:
First, you'll need to draw out your claw template on a piece of paper. Keep in mind how many claws you're putting on and how big they'll need to be to fit!
Cut out a piece of fabric that will be big enough for all the claws. The piece I used is definitely not big enough to make 16 claws, which is the usual amount of claws for 4 paws. Check the nap and the stretch, you'll want the nap of the fabric facing down towards the tip of the claws. The stretch will be going horizontal. When I use fleece, I have the stretch going vertical so the pieces stretch up and down. The fleece I have is WAY stretchier so if I have the stretch going horizontal the pieces stretch too wide and it looks weird. Fold the piece over.
Pin the pattern to the folded fabric, making sure the pin goes through both sides of the fabric. Sew around the claw, leaving the flat back edge opened. I used blue thread so it was more visible. Remove the pattern. Pin the pattern to the fabric again, leaving plenty of space between it and the first sewn claw. Sew around it again, and repeat until you've sewn all the claws. Be mindful of the amount of space you leave, you'll need about 3mm of fabric edge around the piece, so you'll need 6-7mm between the edge of one piece and the edge of the next.
Cut out all your claws, and then turn them right side out. Stuff the claws; you'll need something long and thin to push the stuffing in.
Pin the stuffed claws in place. I pin all the claws to one paw before I sew anything down, so I can adjust the spacing until it looks right. Once the claws are pinned and you're satisfied with the positioning, sew them in place with the ladder stitch.
Once you've sewn around the claw, tie off the thread with a kind-of French knot. Wrap the thread around the needle two or 3 times, and poke the needle back into the fabric where the thread comes out. Push the needle out basically anywhere and pull the thread until it's tight. Cut the thread, and you're done! Now do it a bunch more times, and then you're really done!
