Tutorial--How To Make Movable Joints In A Stuffed Animal Or Doll-Old Fashioned Cotter Pin Joints

I have been asked to do a tutorial on
how to install movable joints in a doll
or stuffed animal.  I hope you find it 
helpful!  
Little Penelope the elephant is 5-way jointed.
Her head, arms & legs have movable joints.

There are several types of joints that can be used.
CR'S Online Craft Store has a selection.
I use the old fashioned cotter pin joints that were
used in the original stuffed bears and animals.
Edinburgh Imports has a beginners page with lots
of tips, as well as charts for determining the size
of joints and eyes needed.  
Edinburgh Imports-Beginners Page
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This package of 3/4 in. joints (enough for 1 animal)
was purchased at CR'S crafts for under $2.00.

It consists of  5 cotter pins, 10 discs and 10 small washers.

These are the components used for 1 joint.

The discs (fender washers) & cotter pin below were purchased
at our local hardware store, they work just as well as the
 others & the larger sizes are cheaper!  Just make sure the
 head of the cotter pin doesn't slide through the washer hole.

If your pattern calls for joints, placement for the
joints will be marked.  If not, you can just eyeball it.
Be careful to mark the inner leg pieces and inner arm
pieces.  You don't want to end up with 2 left legs or
2 right arms!

This is one of Penelope's arms marked on the inside.

Start by making a hole on the wrong side of the fabric.
Use something sharp to make the hole for the cotter pin.
A knitting needle, wooden skewer, or ice pick works fine.

DON'T cut with scissors, gently make a hole by spreading
 the fibers.  If the joint needs to be moved, it's very easy
to push the fibers back together & make a new hole.

You will need 1/2 of the cotter pin joint.
Take a cotter pin, put on the small washer, then the disc.

Turn your piece to the right side.
Find the hole and insert the joint.
The joint goes INSIDE the arm.

Only the cotter pin shows from the outside.
Stuff the arm.
I generally sew my remaining seam section with
a ladder stitch after I have attached it to the body,
 just in case I want to change the placement of the 
joint.  It's much easier if I don't have to remove stitches!
 (Link to tutorial on the ladder stitch is at the bottom of this post.)

Do the same for the remaining arm and legs.
Notice that the cotter pin comes out on the inside
 of Penelope's arms.  Paw pads face toward the
body.

Heads are done slightly different.
Using strong thread, I use carpet or button hole
thread doubled, make a straight gathering stitch
 all around the bottom of the head.  Leave a length
 of thread on both ends for tying knots later.
This is Penelope's head.

Straight stitches for gathering.
Stuff the head.
Penelope gets a bit of stuffing in the end
of her trunk followed by some stainless steel shot
 for added weight, then more stuffing.


Her head is now ready for 1/2 of the joint.
 
Cotter pin, small washer then the disc.

Place the joint inside the head,

then pull the gathering stitches tightly and make several
secure knots.  Hide thread ends inside the head.

 
 Body parts are ready to be attached to the body.
 
Make holes for the arms, legs and head from
the inside of the body, just like before.  Turn
to the right side.
 
This is Penelope's right arm and the remaining 2 parts of
the cotter pin joint.  1 small washer & 1 disc.

Find the hole, insert the cotter pin.

On the inside 

 place the disc then the washer onto the cotter pin.

Using a cotter pin tool or needle nose pliers, roll down 1 leg
of the cotter pin.  The tighter you roll, the tighter the
joint.  If  you want wobbly joints, leave it loose.

Roll down the other leg.
The joint is done.  Finish the remaining arm,
leg  joints and head the same way.

Penelope just needs her head. 

I always sew on the eyes before I attach the

head to the body. (Link to tutorial on eyes
is at the bottom of this post.)

 If you want a wobbly head for the antique look, use a

 smaller disc in the body side of the joint.  Be sure to make

the underneath of the head very neat as it will be seen

with the wobbly joint.

 I sewed a flannel bag filled with steel shot

for Penelope's tummy for more added weight.

I put steel shot in her feet too, to help her

stand up.

Ladder stitch the open seams, add ears and

clothing........she is done!

How easy is that??

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Click below:
Tutorial-Installing Eyes & The Ladder Stitch 

For a complete list of all my tutorials
click below:
Tutorials List 

Some of my stuffed animals.

 Happy Sewng!