You know those times you see something and think- why have I never done this before! That’s how it is with me and stuffy sticks. I was first introduced to them through the Lily Bean Market You Tube Tutorials, so I certainly cannot take the credit, but I use mine ALL the time and can’t imagine not having it on hand whenever I sew anything.
The idea is pretty simple. When you’re making a toy or home decor item (or really anything that has corners), you sew it, turn it and then have to get all those seams to lay just right before you can iron them into place.
Enter stuffy stick. 
I can already read your thoughts- you’re thinking, this is it? You’re writing a whole crafting post about a chopstick? Well, yes. I am.
The original stuffy stick I created through my Lily Bean tutoring was a wooden dowel sharpened on one end with a pencil sharpener. It worked great, you could use the blunt end to turn your general shape and then turn it around and use the pointed end all around the edge of your piece to poke out every single little corner.
I loved the way my projects looked and I ended up using my stick for everything. I eventually found that every once in a while the wood could snag my fabric or get caught in the nap, which was of course a problem. Then one day as I was working with a particularly snaggy fabric, my husband walked in eating a bowl of noodles with chopsticks. Problem solved. I ran into the kitchen and grabbed a clean pair and they’ve never left my sewing room since. I specifically love the ones with the super smooth and shiny, lacquer finish- they glide through even the most stubborn fabrics without snagging a thing.
So next time you order Chinese, or need a couple more bucks to make your Amazon order get up to that magic $25 (and thus get the free shipping) pick yourself up a pair and place it with your sewing tools. You won’t be sorry.
Need help finding the right ones? Here are a few I’ve found that look just right- click on the image for current pricing info.
I especially love the ones that come in a box- perfect to throw in your sewing bag!