Editor's Note: This series of posts became a book! Stuffed Animals: From Concept to Construction was published by Lark Crafts in 2013. +++++ With just a little extra effort you can take a pattern for a standing animal and transform it into a pattern for a walking, stalking or prowling animal. Motion gives the animal…
Archives for February 2011
Elements of Soft Toy Design #13: Attaching a Part by Cutting a Hole
Editor's Note: This series of posts became a book! Stuffed Animals: From Concept to Construction was published by Lark Crafts in 2013. +++++ One of the challenges in designing a soft toy is figuring out how to attach parts like limbs or wings so that the attachment is really strong and won't come apart during…
a workshop and a new technique
A quick break from the Elements of Soft Toy Design posts to give a little update on other crafty happenings around here. I held my very first workshop last week at my house. I had seven women over to make sock monkeys. It was really fun! I remember that I love teaching. I used to…
and the winner is…
Wow! Thank you to everyone who entered The Artful Bird giveaway! I learned about all kinds of new birds, especially birds from Australia and New Zealand. Awesome. It was fun, too, to hear how you identified with the personality traits of particular birds. Your comments were fascinating to read! And the winner is… #29 - …
Kickin’ off The Artful Bird Blog Tour – It’s Giveaway Time!
My new book, The Artful Bird, begins its blog tour today. And there will be one live tour stop along the way, too! I will be in New York on Saturday, March 5, for a trunk show and signing at Purl Soho from 12 pm – 1 pm and I'll be teaching a bird-making workshop…
Elements of Soft Toy Design #12: Gusseted Button Joints
Editor's Note: This series of posts became a book! Stuffed Animals: From Concept to Construction was published by Lark Crafts in 2013. +++++ I love jointed soft toys because they have moving parts. Any place on a toy where two parts are making contact could have a joint. Hips, shoulders, elbows, knees, and claws are…
Elements of Soft Toy Design #11: Pointed Ovals
Editor's Note: This series of posts became a book! Stuffed Animals: From Concept to Construction was published by Lark Crafts in 2013. +++++ When I have an idea for a new soft toy, going from a sketch to a set of pattern pieces can be a daunting task. How do I make those shapes in…
Elements of Soft Toy Design #10: Stuffing
Stuffing is a really important step in softie making. When it is done well, the finished toy is firm and smooth and completely filled out, from its tiniest extremity to its widest part. When it is done poorly, the finished toy is lumpy in some parts and deflated in others and it may not stand…