Page 19
STUFFING
The proper technique of stuffing is essential to toymaking.
It is
wise to realise this as early as possible. To rush on with
stuffing, a
very natural thing to do, will ultimately spoil the toy.
The finished
product will be lumpy, bulging in places, and not firm enough
to
stand on its legs. Remember, good, even, patient stuffing
is most
important to the making of a good toy. Never hurry and always
use only small amounts of flock at a time.
Rest the "skin" against the left hand and drive
in the filling with
the stuffing stick held in the right hand. It is the left
hand which
controls the shape. Of course, the process is reversed for
left-handed
people. What, in fact, happens during stuffing, is that
one hand
acts as a continuation of the stuffing stick, while the
other hand is
used for shaping and controlling.