If you've never purchased from AliExpress before, it can be confusing. I've seen many people say they are hesitant to buy from Hopen because of it. I hope this guide will make it easier for you to purchase what you want!

I'm going to use mochi minky for this example.

I've added a new page on plush making resources including sources for fabric, tutorials, guides, and helpful communities!

I'll update this as I find new helpful things!

Turntables are awesome for showing off all the details on a plush that can't be shown in a single image!

I bought this turntable off of Amazon and I place this cutting board on top which I spray painted white. I like this setup since I can place the board on top for larger plushies but not use it for smaller ones!

If your plush cannot stand on its own, you can use a doll stand. I usually tape it to the board for stability.

Timelapse of the sublimation process!

Sublimation is the process of printing out a design with dye and transferring it to fabric via a heat press. Check out my guide here!

Mochi minky is becoming increasingly popular in plush making these days! It's a form of minky that is extremely stretchy - the same material used to make Squishmallows, which many people are familiar with. It has a shorter pile compared to the normal 3mm smooth minky from Shannon, so it may be a better option for sewing something like humans to avoid the fur-like texture while keeping softness. It's also considerably thicker than normal smooth minky. Because of this, it can be a little tricky to sew & embroider and I would not recommend that beginners use it. I personally loved working with it, though!

Read some sewing & embroidery tips from my experience working with it below!