Instant Gratification – Mustachery

Plushstache Glory

To be the owner of a handsome mustache is quite a thing and seems rather popular these days. However, life is very unfair leaving some of us genetically powerless to grow our own or forbidden to do so by the edicts of fashion or significant others. Long troubled by this problem, last year I finally created my own solution to this age old inequity without the need for razors, wax, or hormone treatment. It turns out it is quite simple (and inexpensive) to create your own facsimile of awe worthy facial hair. All you need is some felt, a needle and thread, and some sort of stuffing. Although perhaps not as satisfying as the real deal, a plush-stache is still very enjoyable. In fact, if you are already a mustache bearer, you can even increase your coolness without all the maintenance.

Plushstachery

or
How to Make Yourself an Awesome Mustache

This project has a very good satisfaction to effort ratio. It takes very little work to make one of these mustaches, but they are very fun to wear around. Even though this project does involve hand sewing, it is super simple and doesn’t take too long. It doesn’t matter if your stitches are perfectly neat and there is no tricky business. In fact I would say this is a very good beginner sewing or plush making project.

Materials/Tools

Felt (one sheet is usually enough)
Thread (preferably matching the felt)
Stuffing (such as polyfill or felt scraps)
Thin elastic cord (I recommend the clear stretchy kind for jewelry/beading)
Paper (for pattern)
Marker (I’m rather fond of fine-tip Sharpies) or white gel pen (something that will mark felt)
Needle (a large embroidery sized one and a regular sized one)
Scissors

Optional

Pipecleaner or wire
Embroidery Floss or other decorative thread

The Making

Print and cut out one of my mustache patterns (Plushstache_pattern1.pdf) or design your own. I would recommend checking out the design on your face in a mirror after cutting it out. It’s less trouble to redo the paper than the felt. Also, remember that the easy way to make your design symmetric is to draw half the mustache then fold at the middle and cut it out.
Trace two copies of your ‘stache onto the felt and then cut them out.
Place the two pieces together (put the marked side in if you don’t want it to show), pinning if desired. Start sewing at the top middle, using a whip stitch, moving towards the tips. When you are almost back to the middle on the bottom, stop and tie off, leaving a gap so you can stuff it later. Now do the other half the same way, but wait to tie off until you have finished the next step.
Optional: If you want, you can put a pipecleaner or wire inside your ‘stach to help keep it’s shape better. I like doing this so I can shape it to my face too. Shape your wire beforehand, and then insert when you stuff on very straight designs or just after coming around the tips on complex designs. Hopefully the diagram makes sense of what I said.
Start stuffing! Starting with small pieces gently push the stuffing into the tips first with a pencil or other pokey tool. Continue stuffing just until desired amount of “bushiness” is achieved. Don’t add too much stuffing! My villainous pattern only has a tiny amount in the middle, under the nose area. Sew closed the opening after you are finished stuffing.
Thread the embroidery (or other large eyed needle) with a long length of elastic cord. It’s better to err on the side of excess here. This is what is going to keep the mustache on your face so it needs to be long enough to loop behind your ears after attached to the mustache. Following the diagram, thread the elastic through the back of the mustache and then knot the loose ends together. Now check to see how your mustache fits. You should have a large loop on either side that fits over and behind your ears. It should be just tight enough to keep the ‘stache right under your nose, but not so tight it cuts into your face (otherwise it will look like you have cat whiskers). Adjust the position of the knot until the right fit is achieved then trim ends to 1/2″ or so.

This is the type of cord I used along with a large embroidery needle

The back should look something like this when you finish
Go awe the world with your newfound mustached glory!