Can I ask what 3D Program you use to model/unwrap with to make your patterns? That's brilliant! My unwrapped meshes never really map correctly to make patterns. Keep up the good work, your plush is looking awesome! =D
Sure! I model with Blender and unwrap with UVLayout :D Blender can unwrap as well, but the flattened patterns don’t translate to plush very well. But like this post shows, it’s still not fool-proof; the models need to accurately reflect how plushies bulge and stretch and such.
Blender is completely free, and UVLayout is kinda-sorta free in that you can download the free trial. The free trial doesn’t let you save the full file, but it does let you output a JPEG of the flattened pieces, which is all you need for plush purposes.
Blender - https://www.blender.org/download/UVLayout - https://www.uvlayout.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=72
Edit: I then vectorize/refine the patterns in Adobe Illustrator CS6. Illustrator isn’t free, but while I’ve never used it, I’ve heard the program Inkscape is a good+free Illustrator-like option
