A filler for homemade toys is an important element, perhaps no less important than a fabric, an additional decor.
Of course, banal cotton wool can be used to fill sewn or knitted toys, but this is not a very practical filler. Better to use more modern materials:
Holofiber, padding polyester, padding polyester are synthetic fibers that keep their shape well, wash well and dry quickly. A toy stuffed with such materials will be light and pleasant to hold in your hands. Another advantage of these materials is that they can be used if you are allergic to natural fillers.
The filler can be purchased at a craft store, but in some cases it may be cheaper to buy a small pillow.
Small plastic balls, most often, are not used for stuffing the whole toy, but the body (for the head and legs, for example, they take holofiber). The advantage of "anti-stress" filler is the ability to develop fine motor skills in children.
It is undesirable to give a toy filled with small balls to children under 3 years old!
Toys can be filled with various cereals (buckwheat, millet, rice), beans or peas, washed and dried small fruit seeds, nuts and the like, but this is not the best option. Despite the fact that such organic fillers can be classified as anti-stress fillers, they are impractical - toys cannot be washed, and the filler will deteriorate over time.
Remnants of knitting threads, remnants of fabric (it will need to be cut into very small shreds), fluff or feathers from old pillows can be used, but such a filler does not hold its shape in the best way, after washing it dries for a long time, moreover, over time it falls off into lumps and the toy will look unpresentable.
