General Sewing Note: Push any stray fur hanging over the seam allowance to the inside with a long needle as you pin and sew. Once the seam is sewn, inspect both sides to make sure the seam is allowance is even. Make corrections if necessary. The jointing dots are guide lines. You may wish to raise or lower the arms or legs as construction progresses. The same is applicable for the eyes, you may want them closer or farther apart.
Sewing The Head: Cut out the head pieces. In head piece #1, fold, pin and sew the darts at the side of the neck and the top of the head. Cut the darts open and trim. Repeat for head piece #2. Pin the two head pieces #1 and #2, right sides together, at the head seam from the back of the neck, around the top of the head and down to the muzzle end. Sew the seam. Open out the head and pin the muzzle piece into the face circle matching the "A" and "B" marks. Clip the seam allowance of the face to fit the muzzle, if necessary. Sew the muzzle into the face. If you have trouble with this step, simply whip stitch the muzzle in place by hand before you sew it on the machine.
If Using Safety Eyes: Install safety eyes at this point, following the "Eye Installation" instructions.
Sewing the Chin Seam: Pin the chin seam right sides together, making sure the muzzle pieces meet exactly with each other to form the muzzle circle and the seam is open. Sew the muzzle together starting at the bottom neck edge and sew up to the tip of the nose. Clip the curves and turn, right side out.
General Stuffing Procedures: Constantly feel the part being stuffed with your fingers as you go, looking for any inconsistencies in the stuffing, like soft spots or holes. Manipulate any discrepancies found by sticking a long, thick needle into the area that needs correcting and move the stuffing around until the area is filled or evened out.
Stuffing The Head: Stuff the muzzle first, and then the rest of the head until it is round and firm, to about a half inch from the neck opening.
If Using Glass Eyes: Install the glass eyes at this point, following the "Eye Installation" instructions.
Closing The Head: Prior to closing the head, add more stuffing to the neck, if necessary. Place a washer and a disk onto a cotter pin and insert this assembly inside the neck, with the cotter pin legs extending thru the opening. This should be a snug fit. Run a gathering stitch in the fabric around the neck opening at the seam line, using small stitches for fine gathers. Pull the gathering thread to close the neck opening around the protruding cotter pin legs. Run the thread around the neck seam again and pull it tighter, making sure to keep the gathers small and even. If necessary, go around a third time, continuing to pull the opening tighter until the neck closes around the cotter pin legs. Tie off the thread. Trim away any excess fur and fabric just around the cotter pin legs.
