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Octoplushy, the plushy octopus

About Octoplushy

A multi-armed companion for next-level hugs

Designer Notes​

Octoplushy. This is one of those designs that have no explanation. I was almost done with the hi design, so I had plushies on my mind. The sea, and it's inhabitants must have been on my mind, for all of a sudden "octoplushy" pops into my thoughts. Where that came from, I don't know. But with that name, I could not ignore what I was apparently destined to work on next.

A plushy octopus. With a cute name. That had to become something very cuddly. The first attempt was a round head, complete with sewn smile and buttons for eyes, and eight arms to complete it. Using the eight arms and extending the upper part into segments for the head seemed logical. It worked out fine.

Then I decided that a more anatomically correct version should also be possible, just by tweaking the parameters somewhat, and moving the eyes down. And I figured I could then not forget the squid cousin too. So it turned into three designs in one.

Have fun making them. They're not hard to sew, but not easy to fill.

Wouter

What You Need​

To make Octoplushy, you will need the following:

  • Basic sewing supplies
  • About 1 meter (1.1 yards) of a suitable fabric (Upper body) (see Fabric Options)
  • About 0.75 meters (0.85 yards) of a suitable fabric (Belly) (see Fabric Options)
  • Either 2 buttons or a small piece of suitable unraveling, fabric for the eyes of the Octoplushy version
  • Small piece of black fabric for the pupils of the Squid and Octopus versions
  • Small piece of white fabric for the eyes of the Squid and Octopus versions
  • (Optional) Topstitch or Embroidery thread for the mouth of the Octoplushy version
  • Stuffing
tip

This list is based on a default Octoplushy and you may need less or more fabric dependant on the size you are making Octoplushy.

The amount of fabric required is also dependant on the type of Octoplushy you are making.

  • The Octopus version requires about 50% more fabric than the Octoplushy version.
  • The Squid version requires about 75% more fabric than the Octoplushy version.

The color of the pupils and eyes for the Squid and Octopus versions are up to you, but for clarification and simplicity the pupils will be referred to as black and the eyes will be referred to as white in the documentation.

Fabric Options​

Main and Contrast Body Fabrics (Upper body and legs, belly and underside legs)​

This plush toy is intended to have two different coloured fabrics, one for the upper body and top side of the legs, one for the belly and underside of the legs.

Octoplushy is designed for faux fur fabric, which most plush toys are made from, but you could also use polar fleece, felt, denim, corduroy, or anything moderately heavy. Lightweight or drapey fabrics may not hold Octoplushy's shape well when stuffed. Fabrics with a two-way stretch will work better than wovens, the stretch should be perpendicular to the grainline.

Stuffing​

Since this is a plush toy, it will need to be stuffed with material. Most of the time you'll want to use polyester fiberfill (polyfill), but if you have a lot of fabric scraps, you can use shredded scrap fabric. However this may be heavier and less soft than fiberfill. It's also worth thinking about whether your Octoplushy may be at risk of getting dirty, or want to go for a swim, as not all stuffing options are washable.

Cutting Instructions​

  • Color 1 (Upper body, top of legs & head)

    • Octoplushy, Octopus & Squid
      • Cut 8 head parts
    • Octopus only
      • Cut 2 eyebrow parts
    • Squid only
      • Cut 2 head (a) parts

  • Color 2 (Belly, bottom of legs)

    • Octoplushy, Octopus & Squid
      • Cut 8 leg parts
    • Squid only
      • Cut 2 leg (a) parts

  • Eyes Fabric

    • Octopus & Squid
      • Cut 2 eye (white) parts
      • Cut 2 pupil (black) parts