Make own Beanie Baby type animals, but how?

Question

Scenario:

My friend has a good idea for some Beanie Baby type toys to sell at craft shows, flea markets, and whatnot. How do you get started making those? Do you do it by hand, or do you submit a design and then send off to some factory? Anyone have any experience with that?

Answer 1

If your just starting out then you might have to do it yourself (unless you have a nice pad of cash to pay to have these things done!) joanns has some really nice/cute bennie patterns you could use to get started. just remember to do some variations. as long as you have a sewing machine and some basic instruction reading skills yo u could do it yourself.

but if you can pay to have it done you simply give a detailed illustration to a company that does cutting and sewing, you might have to supply the fabric ( which i recommend) or the company you find might have a selection for you to choose from. either way you will have to have samples made up to make sure they come out the way you want. then you have to see how well they sell at some small venues, using small quantities until you get your feet under you.