Continuing on with my exploration of soft toy design, I decided to try a pattern from Anne Dyer’s book, Design Your Own Stuffed Toys. This book was recommended to me by a blog reader (thank you!). It was published in 1969 (the year my parent’s got married).
Here is what I would say about this book. It has some good techniques, but it is terrible to read. So much text, and really annoyingly technical. Lots of annoying, and I think unnecessary measuring. But her underlying idea is good – drawing a profile, creating gussets, darts and under body pieces to fill it out, widening the legs.
I decided to try to sew the cat from the cover.
I can’t decide if it came out pleasantly Egyptian or strangely fox-like. Either way, it was an interesting pattern because it is for a sitting animal. No legs. The neck has a nice shape and the darts and gussets are very well-designed. Maybe there is something to all of Anne’s calculating, but I seriously cannot understand it all.
Well, I LOVE how the tail curls around the front!
Hi There Abby,
I ran into your mom at CVS today and had a great catch-up chat…. she is such a great lady! My sister and I used to babysit for you when you were a little kid–say 4 or 5 and you were so memorable and spunky.
So glad you are finding a creative outlet for your talent and you are well and thriving!
Keep up your amazing work!
:+)RR
i never actually read any of the text in old pattern books! i love to see the pattern like a puzzle and how i can make it fit together… it’s like a challenge to myself. when i try to read the directions my head always swims.
I also love how the tail curls around! Is your cat for sale?
Thank you so much, Katherine. The cat is not for sale because it is made from someone else's pattern (Anne Dyer). If you like it, I encourage you to get ahold of her book and give the pattern a try!