Stuffed toy animals have been made and enjoyed throughout the history of humanity.

The first manufactured animal toy in the US is said to have been a 2 dimensional, semi-realistic, cat illustrated image, printed onto a half yard of cotton muslin cloth. ‘Ithaca Kitty’, patented by Arnold Printing in 1892. It was a sew-your-own printed fabric pattern. Women would cut out, sew, and stuff the toy cat themselves at home.

In 1902, Theodore Roosevelt saved the life of a baby bear during a hunting trip, Soon after, the first furry stuffed toy ‘Teddy Bear’, was designed to be 5-way jointed and poseable, and began manufacturing in 1903 by a German toy company, Steiff, using mohair fur fabrics. That original mohair Teddy Bear now sits proudly, for all to admire, in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, DC.

But even before that, we know that Native Americans fabricated soft dolls using corn husks and real animal hides.

Antique bears now, most desirably sought after by serious teddy bear collectors, were made of a fur fabric called mohair. Which is a durable fur fiber, with high luster and sheen. Mohair is sheared from a beautiful special breed of long-haired, angora, goat.

Alpaca wool fiber is a wonderfully soft, fluffy, durable, fur fiber which is also made into fur fabrics that are used to fabricate plush toys.

Mohair and alpaca fibers are often blended together to create specialty fur fabrics. Which soft sculpture artists, and teddy bear makers around the world, use to fabricate unique huggable animal characters.

Alpacas are of the camelid family, cousin to the camel and llama. Alpacas looks similar to llamas, but they are smaller, and have much softer wool than llamas.

The Goat’s and Alpaca’s hair is sheared from the animal, causing them no harm. Shearing long-haired animals makes them far more comfortable during the heat of the summer months. The fiber is cleaned and prepped and then woven into a cotton fabric backing, sheared to different pile lengths, and sometimes dyed to be different colors.

The angora goat originated from the mountains of Tibet. The goat’s sheared fiber was first woven into mohair fur fabric in England in the early 18th century.

Genuine mohair and alpaca fur fabrics are still produced today. The finest quality is said to be manufactured in Germany. They is the most expensive type of fur fabrics used by collector quality stuffed animal artists.

Mohair first fabric allows teddy bear artists to create the most stunningly beautiful, exquisite, elegant and durable teddy bear characters.

Synthetic fur fabric, in recent years, are manufactured to be incredibly silky soft and durable. The most prevalent fur fibers, produced currently, are polyester and acrylic polymer blends. The fibers can be made so fine, the fur fabric fibers can mimic the density and soft feel of a real baby rabbit.

Plush toy furry fabrics are now manufactured in amazingly realistic textures, densities, and colors. In both woven, stable backing and in stretch knit backing. Synthetic, or ‘faux fur’ fabrics come in a bast array of colorful styles and in many different pile lengths. From short minky, velvet and velboa, at 1mm, to varied textured length designs, to 100mm very long fur.

Japanese anime, manga, and kawaii (cute) style characters have been very popular in recent years. These plush toy characters are made predominately using very short, velvety soft, knit backed minky and non stretch, woven, velboa fabrics. A few examples of these characters are ‘Hello Kitty’, ‘Kirara’ and ‘Pikachu’. These plush characters are made using smooth, very short, 1mm-3mm pile, length furry textured fabrics. The facial features that are machine embroidered, or vibrantly imprinted, in full color, with any type of design, utilizing a sublimation printing process.

However they are fabricated, Plush toys continue to exude fun, love, and comfort for children-at-heart all around the world. They are a precious gift to give, and to keep, for generations to enjoy.

Young children can always be seen toting around their favorite plush toy character wherever they go. But this adorable phenomenon is not limited to children. People of all ages benefit dramatically from snuggling a plushie.

Researchers have conducted studies and found that hugging another person, Pat, or soft plush character, has a stress reducing effect that can aid in healing. Adults who were given a plush teddy bear to hug showed significantly lower blood pressure. Hugging has been proven to reduce anxiety and boost the immune system.

In one case study, hugging a plush toy reduced people’s fear and provided a sense of calming security. Sleeping with a plush toy has been documented to mitigate negative effects of social exclusion and increase prosocial behavior.

Around the world, 60% to 70% of children have an attachment object, usually a stuffed toy or blanket. Attachment usually peaks around three years of age. But many maintain a strong sentimental bond that can last well into adulthood.

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old;
We grow old because we stop playing.”

George Bernard Shaw

Snuggling with a plush toy provides a sense of companionship. Both physically and psychologically. Plush toy companions do not spread negativity, judge, tell your secrets, or leave. They need no special care to last for generations. They are loyal best friends who can be counted on.

Even simply displaying a special stuffed animal, in home decor, provides psychological balance, sense of calm, and relief. And can even bring a smile to all who see it.

Plush toys, especially teddy bears, are regularly donated to Children’s Hospital’s, homeless shelters, retirement care facilities, and police stations. To provide comfort to injured, ill, and traumatized people of all ages.

Throughout the many years that I have been creating custom plush toys for toy companies and clients around the world, I have been blessed to be able to turn people’s ideas into hugs for them to share.

It’s a joy working with children’s book authors who commission me to design and fabricate a plush replica of their beloved storybook character. I also help them manufacture their custom stuffed toys, utilizing my trusted overseas factories.

Many clients commission me to design and fabricate a one of a kind a life-size custom plush animal replica in honor of their beloved pet. Or a creature they have imagined. Or a huggable Lifesize, realistic, replica of a specific animal… as a substitute for a real pet they are wishing to adopt.

A custom plush pet can serve as a memorial in honor of a beloved pet who has passed on. Which can help a person through the grieving process after the loss of their pet. Or it can be enjoyed as a snuggly tangible motivation while they look forward to their goal of being able to adopt a real pet.

Some people desire to re-create their childhood stuffed toy best friend to share with their own children.

One client confided in me that she fears embarrassment. Because she takes her little plush companion everywhere she goes. Which helps soothe her severe anxiety disorder. Stating that she believes she would be ridiculed for being an adult who still plays with toys. I was happy to inform her that she is not alone. Other clients have told me they do the same.

I was glad to be able to let this dear soul know that it is actually healthy and very common for adults to take along a plush toy/good luck charm in their purse, pocket or briefcase, etc.

Having a sense of humor about it and letting others know that it is your fun, long time good luck charm, helps others better accept it.

A plush character, displayed on a shelf or a bed, is not only very common, but is a point of great pride and affection for collectors around the world. Collectors lovingly refer to their collection of teddy bears as their “Hug “.

Plush teddy bears, especially those which are vintage, thread bare, and love-worn, are so highly valued, they have sold at public auctions for up to $50,000.

Plush toy characters are often used in travel scene photography and as props for television and film.

A beautifully made plush toy companion provides cozy comfort that turns into positively healing magic when it is shared.