Find the Perfect Hedgie Dog Toy: A Complete Guide
Alright, so today I wanna share how I made a hedgie dog toy for my little buddy, Max. It was a whole thing, let me tell ya!
The Idea: It all started when Max kept trying to play with a real hedgehog we saw at the park (thankfully, he didn't get close enough to get poked!). So, I thought, "Why not make him a plush one he can actually play with?"
Getting Started: First, I hit up the local craft store. I grabbed some fleece in brown and tan for the body, some felt for the face and spikes, and a squeaker because, come on, what's a dog toy without a squeaker? I also got some stuffing, of course.
The Body: I started by sketching out a simple hedgehog shape on some paper. Nothing fancy, just a basic oval with a pointy nose. Then I cut out two pieces of brown fleece using my template, making sure to leave some extra seam allowance. I sewed them together inside out, leaving a gap at the bottom for stuffing and turning it right-side out later.
The Spikes: This was the most time-consuming part. I cut out a bunch of small, triangle-shaped pieces of felt, like a gazillion of them. I layered them on the back half of the hedgehog, overlapping them slightly to mimic real hedgehog spikes. Then, I carefully sewed them onto the fleece body. My fingers were so sore after that!
The Face: Next up was the face. I cut out a small oval of tan fleece for the snout and sewed it onto the front of the hedgehog. Then, I used some black felt to make the eyes and nose, sewing those on too. I tried using fabric glue at first, but Max is a chewer, so I knew it wouldn't last. Sewing was the only way to go.
Stuffing and Squeaking: After the face was done, I turned the body right-side out and started stuffing it with the poly-fil. I made sure to stuff it really well so it would hold its shape. Before closing up the gap, I shoved the squeaker inside. A good squeaker placement is key!
Finishing Touches: Finally, I sewed up the gap at the bottom using a ladder stitch so it would be invisible. I gave it a good once-over to make sure all the seams were secure and that there were no loose bits that Max could pull off and swallow.
The Verdict: Max LOVED it! He went nuts for the squeaker and carried it around all day. He's a rough player, though, so I've had to do a few repairs here and there. But overall, it was totally worth the effort. Seeing him happy with his hedgie toy makes all the sore fingers and felt scraps worthwhile.
- Lessons Learned: Definitely use stronger thread next time, and maybe reinforce the seams even more. Also, pre-cut the felt spikes using a die-cut machine or something – my hand nearly cramped up!
Would I do it again? Probably! Maybe a slightly simpler design next time, though. Haha!
