{"id":743,"date":"2018-07-06T17:15:00","date_gmt":"2018-07-06T17:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/how-to-sew-a-heat-pack-gecko\/"},"modified":"2024-08-12T10:37:21","modified_gmt":"2024-08-12T10:37:21","slug":"how-to-sew-a-heat-pack-gecko","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/how-to-sew-a-heat-pack-gecko\/","title":{"rendered":"How to sew a heat pack gecko"},"content":{"rendered":"

I made this photo tutorial so you can see how to sew my Gecko Sewing Pattern\u00a0~> scroll down for step-by-step photos!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This simple heat pack pattern will make a great project for beginners because it is quick and easy to sew BUT way cuter than a rectangle heat pad! PLUS an animal heat pack is a really fun way to make someone you know feel great! (You can also fill Gertie with toy stuffing\/pellets if you want a toy instead of a heat pack.<\/em>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\"GECKO<\/span><\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

*** PLEASE NOTE – this is ONLY a PHOTO TUTORIAL ***<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe FULL PATTERN IS NOT included here. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It is <\/span>NOT A FREE PATTERN!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I have made this photo tutorial so people who have purchased my Heat Pack Sewing Pattern<\/strong> can SEE how to sew a Heat Pack toy! (I wanted to explain this so you are not disappointed if you have found this page via a search engine and not from the link in my Gertie Gecko Heat Pack Sewing Pattern<\/strong>)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/h1>\n

Let’s get sewing!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

STEP 1
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Choose some fabric. Gertie can be sewn in MOST fabrics but it is easier to turn the toy right sides out if you use a knit (stretchy) fabric like fleece, Cuddle, velour, chenille, minky etc. You can use woven (non-stretchy) fabrics like quilting cottons and corduroy but they will be a bit harder to turn. (The googly eyes will be easier to make with stretchy fabrics!)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And she doesn’t have to be just BLUE and YELLOW <\/strong><\/p>\n

like my heat pack!!!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Gertie<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

CUT OUT THE GECKO FABRICS:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

STEP 2a<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Cut the piece of BLUE(Dark) Fabric and the piece of YELLOW(Light) Fabric into 2 pieces as shown in the Layout diagram – one for the BODY<\/strong><\/span> and the other for the ARMS<\/strong><\/span>, LEGS<\/strong><\/span> and SPOTS<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

STEP 2b<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Using the Layout Diagram in the pattern to guide you, place the pattern pieces templates onto the wrong side<\/span> of the YELLOW(Light) and trace the templates lightly with a fabric marker, pencil or permanent marker.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

TIP: <\/strong>Remember that the line you trace is the sewing line, so don\u2019t cut out the pieces now, we have to sew them first!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

BODY:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

STEP 3
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Pin the Blue and Yellow Fabric pieces that you cut for the BODY<\/strong><\/span> with the right sides of the fabric together so they won\u2019t slip as you sew.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

STEP 4
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Sew on the sewing line that you traced for the BODY PIECE<\/strong><\/span> leaving the gaps for the ARMS<\/strong><\/span> and LEGS<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

STEP 5
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Cut out the BODY PIECES<\/strong><\/span> out with a 5mm\/\u00bcinch seam allowance.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

ARMS AND LEGS<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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STEP 6
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Pin and sew ARM PIECES<\/strong><\/span> and LEG PIECES<\/strong><\/span> in the same way as you did the body.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

STEP 7
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Cut out the\u00a0ARM <\/strong><\/span>and LEG PIECES<\/strong><\/span> with a 5mm\/\u00bcinch seam allowance. Turn the ARMS<\/strong><\/span> and LEGS<\/strong><\/span> right sides out, and use a wooden chopstick or blunt pointed object to turn them out nicely.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

STEP 8
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Place about \u00bc – \u00bd cup of wheat in each ARM <\/strong>and LEG<\/strong>, using a funnel if you have.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

TIP:\u00a0 <\/strong>Massage the wheat\u00a0 into the tips of the toes and fingers!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

STEP 9
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Cut the hole in the Light BODY PIECE<\/strong><\/span>, as shown in the pattern markings. (This is Gertie Gecko’s tummy.)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

STEP 10
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Pin and sew the ARMS<\/strong><\/span> and LEGS<\/strong><\/span> in place, use the pattern marking dots and the sewing diagram below to guide you.<\/p>\n

*This diagram is clear in the pattern – this is a low-res image for the web!!! \ud83d\ude42<\/strong>
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

TIP: <\/strong>Go back and zig-zag across the ARMS<\/strong><\/span> and LEGS<\/strong><\/span> to make sure they are very secure.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

EYES<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

STEP 11a
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Use a strong thread and a running stitch to gather each EYE PIECE<\/strong><\/span> to form a cup shape.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

STEP 11b
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Fill this with toy stuffing and pull tightly to gather the EYE PIECE<\/strong><\/span> to form an eyeball.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

STEP 11c
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Sew each eyeball closed then sew the two eyeballs together at the side.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

ASSEMBLY<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

STEP 12
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Turn the body right sides out through the hole you cut in the Light BODY PIECE<\/strong><\/span> and use a wooden chopstick to turn the tail nicely. Fill the head area firmly with wheat (or toy stuffing for a toy).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

STEP 13
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Place and sew the eyeballs on the head. You can use the pattern markings or the cover photo to guide you with the placement of the EYES<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

STEP 14a
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Use 2 pins with large black heads to experiment with the eye pupil positioning… this will dramatically change the expression of your gecko\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

STEP 14b
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Mark the pin positions with a permanent marking pen.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

STEP 14c
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Use a thick embroidery thread to sew a French knot for each eye. (Hide the starting and finishing knots under the EYES<\/strong><\/span>.)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

TIP:<\/strong> If you are making your Gecko as a toy (rather than a heat pack) you can use 3mm beads instead of embroidering French knots. Don’t use beads or buttons if your toy is going to be for a child under the age of 3 years, because they would be a choking hazard. I have a post about toy safety <\/strong><\/a><\/span>on my blog with more toy safety tips and guidelines.<\/p>\n

\"Toy<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

STEP 15
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Fill the BODY<\/strong><\/span> with wheat or toy stuffing, so it holds its shape.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

STEP 16
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Sew the opening on the BODY PIECE<\/strong><\/span> closed with a ladder stitch.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

TIP: <\/strong> Use a needle to tease the pile of the fleece\/cuddle out of the seam, at the closing gap, so it hides the stitching.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

STEP 17
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

You can cut spots from contrasting fabric and sew these on the back of your Gecko\u2019s BODY<\/strong><\/span>…<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

…or sew on some buttons (and all sorts of crazy embellishments, like electric blue stick on eyelashed or fake flowers, if you are making your Gertie as a toy rather than a heat pack).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

TIP: <\/strong>The pattern has lots of information about what can be used for filling heat bags, adding fragrances to a heat pack, fabrics that you can use for heat packs.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

MICROWAVE YOUR <\/strong>HEAT PACK<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

STEP 18
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

DIRECTIONS FOR MICROWAVE HEATING:<\/strong><\/h2>\n