When you're using fabric with some stretch in it, it is a good idea to stabilize the seams that go along the whole body, and between the body and the belly, with some stabilizing ribbon.
If stitching the pupil by machine you may find it easier to use either the eyelet function or a buttonholer that does eyelets if one of those are available to you. If not you may find it best to hand stitch the pupil for better control and neatness.
If you wish to make an embroidered eye we recommended to make it an embroidery patch rather than embroidering directly on the fabric itself as screwing up will not result in a larger quantity of fabric being wasted.
</Note>
## Step 2: The Upper body
- Using topstiching thread (thick thread), go back and forth several times along the gill lines of the body pieces.
- _Edgestitch_ the eyes to the body pieces, matching the thread colour of the outer bar tacks.
- Sew the darts on the front of both body pieces closed. Trim away any excess fabric.
- With _good sides together_ sew the tail pieces to the body pieces, matching notches.
- With _good sides together_ sew the topFin pieces to the body pieces.
<Tip>
It's worth double-checking that you are using the proper fin pieces, as Hi's pectoral (or side) fins have a similar topFin and bottomFin piece. The topFin should have a slightly convex curve along the edge where it meets the body, while the bottomFin is slightly concave. (The dorsal fin, or the fin along the shark's back that sticks out of the water when swimming, is incorporated into the body pieces, so you will create that in the next step.)
</Tip>
- With _good sides together_ sew the body pieces together along the front, top, around the tail and below the tail, leaving a gap open below the tail for turning and stuffing the shark later.
- Fill the plush toy with stuffing through the opening you left in the tail. Make sure to fill the tail and fins well before adding too much stuffing in the body itself.
