whileshenaps.com

Sewing, blogging, and creative business.

monkey

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I had a huge design breakthrough the other night.  It suddenly became completely clear to me how to design a muzzle, or any three-dimensional protruding shape. I have sewn dozens of patterns with muzzles that were part of the face pattern, and I sort of got how they worked, but not well enough to easily draft one of my own.  So I played and played with making a monkey face.  After six faces, it just occured to me. Hooray! 

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And then I made his feet so that they are perpendicular to his legs, like real feet.  The principal is really the same.  Now I feel ready to write the section in the book about how this design concept works.  I've never seen it explained anywhere and I'm so psyched. 

I put magnets in this monkey's hands so that I can make him a magnetic felt banana to hold. 

I'm learning.  Soft toy design is infinitely cool and interesting to me.  I'm having a fantastic time figuring it all out.

Comments

  1. Tiffany says

    And I have a wonderful time reading your blog as you figure things out! Cute monkey 🙂 Can’t wait for this book!

  2. Susan says

    Gives new meaning to “monkeying around” with the design. Actually, it’s inspired engineering. I can just see this one climbing over the top edge of the refrigerator door, tail in the air, looking for treats with his magnetic hands.

  6. Ashleigh Goebel says

    Dont you just love it when it comes to you like that. Your monkey is great. I’m very new to toy making but am really enjoying how they come to life.

  7. Joely says

    Can’t wait to see this new book of yours when it is finished! And the monkey is very cute, well done!
    I’ve found that some cloth doll patterns (the fantasy type ones more so than country style ones) have great ideas and designs that can be used in making softies, like the feet and hands. Lynne Butcher’s Gumnut Elf pattern has Amazing feet. Hope this helps with your research:)