A method of making a stuffed toy comprises fabricating a container with an elongated opening; attaching a slide fastener having an auto-locking biasing member to the elongated opening; inserting stuffing into said container through said opening; applying a wedge tool to said biasing member to force said biasing member to a released position; closing the opening, and removing the wedge tool from said slide fastener. A wedge tool having a tapered wedge tip is disclosed for operating the sliding member.