Stuffing for amigurumi, toys and other crafts

What can I stuff my crafts with?

There are a few options when stuffing your crafts. If you plan on selling your crafts, you'll need to stuff them with new, clean material - check your country's regulations to see exactly what's required.

If you're on a budget and just making toys and amigurumi for yourself, you can recycle stuffing and batting from old toys, blankets, and pillows. Just be sure to hand wash the filling gently after removing it from the toy to remove any odors and ensure your stuffing is clean.

Polyester Fiberfill

Polyester fiberfill is a synthetic stuffing material that is widely available and usually very affordable. It is easy to work with and can be molded into various shapes. It is also washable and durable, making it a good choice for amigurumi, toys, and other items that may get dirty or have rough handling.

• Fairfield Polyfil, Mountain Mist Fiberloft, Pellon Basic Fill, Loops & Threads Classic

You won't be limited to just the standard polyester fiber filling. Options for polyester fiber besides standard filling include loftier versions, "dry" versions, eco-friendly versions, and even dark versions.

Extra Lofty Polyester Fiberfill

Ever have a super squishy stuffed animal? It was most likely stuffed with a silicone-treated polyester fiber filling. You'll use a lot less stuffing to fill and create a much squishier stuffed animal. While these are great for stuffed animals, those little silicone fibers can sneak out of tiny spaces. Even the tightest amigurumi can't hold back those springy little fibers waiting to escape.

• Fairfield Ultra Plush Polyfil, Fairfield Silky Polyfil, Mountain Mist SuperFluff, Mountain Mist Ultra Fluff, Pellon Perfect Loft, Loops & Threads Supreme

"Dry" Polyester Fiberfill

Think of antique dolls and vintage handmade stuffed animals. Dry polyester fiberfill is an untreated coarse fiberfill designed to recreate vintage and antique crafts and dolls. It packs into stuffed animals firmer, and denser, creating a heavier, less squishy stuffed animal. This can be great for amigurumi that you don't want to be so smooshy but it can also end up lumpy fairly easily.

 

• Fairfield Polyfil Crafter's Choice

Dark Polyester Fiberfill

If you've ever made a knit or crochet toy from dark or black or black yarn, you've probably experienced a bit of frustration that the stuffing is pretty visible. In response to the overwhelming need for dark stuffing, a few manufacturers have answered the wishes of crafters and produced black or nearly black fiberfill stuffing.

 

• Fairfield Polyfil Dark, Loops & Threads Classic Black

Eco-Friendly Polyester Fiberfill

Fiberfill manufacturers have started introducing fiberfill and fiberfill blends made with sustainable plant-based materials. If you've wanted to make more environmentally friendly crafts but don't want to use animal-based fibers, there are several options available for you.

Fiberfill made from PLA

Polylactic acid, or PLA, is a biodegradable and renewable plastic derived from corn and sugarcane. It is commonly used to make a wide variety of products, including food packaging, disposable cutlery, and 3D printing filament. PLA is made from renewable resources, has a lower carbon footprint, and is biodegradable.

 

• Mountain Mist Eco-Friendly/Eco-Craft

Bamboo/Polyester Blend

Bamboo/Polyester fiberfill is a blend of natural bamboo fibers and polyester. While it's not 100% eco-friendly, it does combine the renewability of bamboo with the texture and loft of a standard polyester fiberfill.

 

• Fairfield Nature-fil

Recycled Polyester Fiberfill

Pre and post-consumer plastic waste can be used in recycled polyester fiberfill. Recycled polyester fiberfill has the same qualities as standard or premium polyester fiberfill with the benefit of being eco-friendly.

• Air Lite Eco-Friendly

Natural Stuffing

Natural stuffing is made from natural materials such as wool or cotton. It is more environmentally friendly than synthetic fiberfill, but it is usually more expensive, may not be as easy to work with, and may not be available at your nearby craft store, so you might have to order online.

Cotton Stuffing

Cotton is a natural fiber that is soft and hypoallergenic. While it is soft, it can compact over time, leaving stuffed animals and projects that have a lot of handling a bit more floppy and understaffed. 

• Sweet Dreams Cotton Stuffing

Recycled Cotton Stuffing

Recycled cotton stuffing is recycled from pre-consumer cotton waste and might contain a small percentage of other fibers. Recycled cotton stuffing will have the same qualities as non-recycled cotton stuffing. Recycled cotton stuffing is available in multiple colors including white, gray, and black.

• Hoooked 100% Recycled Fluffy Cotton Filling

Wool Roving

Wool fiberfill is made from the fibers of sheep's wool and is a natural, sustainable stuffing material. It is a bit more expensive and may be harder to work with than synthetic fiberfill, but it has a nice, soft feel. Because the fibers are wool, extra care needs to be taken when washing to not felt the stuffing. Handwash items stuffed with wool with cold water only.

• Wool fiberfill is available on Etsy and Amazon.

Alternatives to fiberfill

Sometimes you're in a time crunch or a money crunch and don't have access to one of the options above. Sometimes you want to try something different. Here are several options for alternatives to fiberfill:

Polyester Batting

Polyester batting is a little more coarse to the touch than fiberfill. It comes in sheets and you'll need to pull it apart to create a fluffy filling. It requires more work prepping the filling than most fiberfill but the end results can be quite similar.

Shredded Memory Foam

Shredded memory foam is available in bags. The foam can vary from finely shredded to somewhat chunky. The finer the foam, the less likely you'll see small bumps on the outside of the finished item. memory foam works best for thicker stretchy fabrics that can hide the lumpy nature of the material. Memory foam is much heavier than other stuffing but has the added benefit of having a slow satisfying rise after being squished.

Recycling/Upcycling Fiberfill, Batting, Foam, Memory Foam, etc.

If you're making toys for yourself or need to restuff a pillow, you can recycle stuffing from old pillows and soft toys; batting from blankets, pillows, and couch cushions; foam from cushions; and memory foam from pillows, just to name a few items you might have in your house. Be sure to use only clean, pest-free materials before use.