Toasty-kun! Make a Stuffed Animal With a Microwavable Heart.

So I'm sitting in this monster of a snowstorm thinking that I need something warm. Mabye some Hot Choco"sip"   no thats not it, Chai tea? smells good but no... I know! a hug, so I look around see my bother "hug" (he looks at me funny) nope not warm enough hmm... ah ha! a cat! "hug" ("meeeeooow" scratch!)  oww... no, well I'm a maker soooo lets make it!

It needs to be cute, warm and and cute and toasty!

Well Domo-kun is cute but if he was warm....well... ta da! 
Toasty-kun!

Toasty-kun is great for staying warm and is also a great gift for your Valentine

To make him even better I decided to upcycle and only use scrap fabric destined for the the trash!
please vote!!!

Step 1: Tools, Supplies, and Stuff!

Supplies:
1) Brown, red, and white fabric
2) Assorted buttons for eyes
3) Stuffin'
4) Herbal tea
5) Rice
6) Zippers/fasteners

Tools:
1) Thread
2) Needles
3) Pins
4) Scissors
5) Chalk pencils
6) Optional: sewing machine
7) oh! and a ruler and/or tape measure

Step 2: Plan!

It's always good to plan things out! though In the end there are some things I'd change._{(bigger feet)}

For those who can't read my handwriting look at the second picture
and their is a 3rd pic (you might not see it but it's there!)

Step 3: Transfer

Transfer the plans on to the backside of your cloth. I used a chalk pencils so it would be less noticeable and would wash out. You may want to wash you fabric first before transferring the design to prevent uneven shrinkage when you wash it again. 

Step 4: And Cut

Cut out all the pieces; arms, legs, front, back, teeth, and mouth. You may also want to lay out the eyes and mouth on the front so you can see if you like the positioning.    

Step 5: Sew! (mouth and Arms)

 Let me explain the building of Domo-kun in chunks (look at the pics)
1) Stitch the teeth to the mouth
2) Cut out the area were you want the mouth and stitch the mouth in
3) Stitch the top and sides together leaving a gap (bottom to mid of the mouth) for the arm
4) Sew the arn (it's simply a tube that's closed on one end)
5) Slide the arm in and close it up
don't forget to fill the arms before you stitch them in.

Step 6: Sew! (legs)

 The legs are a little complicated
1) Sew the sides together to make a tube
2) Lay a piece of fabric over the open end of the tube and stitch around it
3) Flip inside out ( now inside in)
4) Optional ( fill a bag with rice knot it closed and put it in the foot for extra wight)
5) Cut slits in the bottom towards the front so Domo-kun has a bigger butt. it makes him sit better
6) Stitch in the legs
7) And don't stitch up the bottom

Step 7: Corners

A pretty simple step, just pinch, pin and stitch together the corners to each other ! easy!

Step 8: Stuffing and Pouch

Stuff your Domo to your desired *ahem* "consistency", filling all the corners and crevasse. Then take a piece that's twice  the height and and a bit more then half the width of Domo-kun. Fold it over and stitch up the sides. Then take the pouch and place it inside Domo. Center and stitch the pouch in and close up any extra space.

To the heart captain!

Step 9: The Heart

The heart and soul of this project, well mostly the heart. Cut out two big cloth hearts or whatever shape you want, soul shape, dinosaur, companion cube whatever! Sew it together leaving a small hole. Flip inside in and go get some rice (less aroma the better) and tea of your choice. Fill ( a funnel helps) the heart 3/4 tea and 1/4 rice. Sew it up and your ready for the next step! Lets have some closure!

BTW to check the aroma, pop a bit in the microwave for 10 seconds.

Step 10: Closure and Eyes

To close up the pouch I used snaps, although one could use a verity of things, from Velcro to zippers! install closure method as the instructions indicate close him up! 
Then for the eyes position buttons or other eyes on Domo find where you like them mark it and sew them in!

Step 11: Use It!

Using your Toasty-kun is easy. pop the heart into the microwave for 10-15 second intervals till hot to the touch. Then place the heart bake into Domo and enjoy!

your done!!!

have a happy valentines day and stay warm!

don't forget to vote!!