How to Use the Free Flop Stopper Head Stabilizer Embroidery Design

If you’ve ever made a plushie and ended up with a wobbly, bobble-headed creation, you know how frustrating it can be! 😅 Our free Flop Stopper Head Stabilizer embroidery design is here to save the day. It’s a game-changer for stabilizing plushie heads, whether you’re using an in-the-hoop embroidery pattern or even a traditional sewing pattern. The best part? It’s super easy to use and fits a variety of doll joint sizes!

What is the Flop Stopper Head Stabilizer?

This clever little design helps create a stable internal support system for plushie heads by forming a stiff, stuffed fabric tube inside the body. The tube is perfectly designed to accommodate a plastic doll joint, which is commonly used in plush-making for movable arms, legs, and heads. By using this stabilizer, your plushie’s head will be securely attached and stay upright instead of flopping around.

So, grab your embroidery machine, some stretchy fabric, and let’s get started!

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Materials Needed:

• Embroidery Machine (compatible with the design file format)
• Medium Tear-Away Stabilizer
• Stretch Jersey Fabric (2-way stretch is ideal)
• Plastic Doll Joints (available in sizes 20mm to 65mm)
• Polyfil Stuffing
• Needle & Upholstery Thread (such as Coats & Clark)
• Scissors
• Tape
• USB Stick

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Load the Proper Size Design File

Choose the correct design file for your doll joint size (20mm-65mm). Copy the file onto a USB stick and insert it into your embroidery machine.

2. Hoop Stabilizer

Hoop a piece of medium tear-away stabilizer tightly. Make sure it is flat and secure to avoid any shifting during stitching.

3. Stitch Color 1 – Placement Line

Start stitching the design with Color 1. This step will stitch a placement line, which will serve as a guide for where to place your fabric.

4. Cut the Fabric

Cut a piece of 2-way stretch jersey fabric. The fabric should be generously sized to cover the entire placement box but also cut to double the length of the box. The stretch should run across the width of the tube, not the length.

5. Fold and Place the Fabric

Fold your fabric piece in half, lengthwise. Place the fold along the right short side of the placement box, aligning the folded edge exactly along the line. Use a small piece of tape to secure it in place.

6. Stitch the Final Tack Down

Return to the machine and stitch Color 2. This step will stitch along the first side of the box, secure the folded fabric, and then stitch the opposite side of the box.

7. Remove the Fabric from the Hoop

Once the stitching is complete, carefully peel the fabric off of the stabilizer.

8. Trim the Excess Fabric

Trim the excess fabric along both sides, cutting close to the stitching lines. Do not cut the folded end. Leave the fold intact!

9. Snip a Hole for the Doll Joint

Using sharp scissors, snip a tiny hole directly in the center of the short folded edge. This will be where the doll joint’s post will eventually be inserted.

10. Insert the Doll Joint

Take your plastic doll joint (it should be a 3-piece set: post, flat washer, and locking disk). Insert the post piece pointy end first into the open bottom of your fabric tube. Work it carefully toward the folded end until the pointy post protrudes through the hole you just cut. Push the post snugly into the end of the tube.

11. Stuff the Tube Firmly

Using Polyfil, stuff the fabric tube as firmly as possible. The stiffer the tube, the better the support for the head.

12. Stitch the Tube Closed

With a needle and heavy-duty upholstery thread, hand-stitch the open end of the fabric tube shut. Make sure it’s tightly secured to prevent any stuffing from escaping.

13. Place the Tube Inside the Plushie Body

Insert the stuffed fabric tube into the body of your plushie, making sure that the post of the doll joint is positioned upward toward the top of the body. The post should be perfectly aligned to protrude from the support circle (neck area) of the plushie body.

14. Attach the Head

Feed the exposed post from the doll joint through the support circle on the back of your plushie’s head. Reach inside the head and locate the post. Place the flat washer over the post, followed by the locking disk. Press the disk down until you hear it snap into place. Make sure it’s pushed as far down as possible.

15. Finish Stuffing

Now that the head is attached, finish stuffing both the head and body. Take care to keep the fabric tube centered inside the body, so the head stays stable. Once you’re happy with the stuffing, sew the stuffing openings closed.

And that’s it! 🎉 You’ve just successfully created a sturdy, no-flop head stabilizer for your plushie! 🤗