I've had this book, Soft Animals A to Z by Carolyn Vosburg Hall, for a while, and although I'd read all the patterns I had never sewn anything from it.
It is a fairly new book as soft toy pattern books go, published in 2003, and it is ambitious. 26 patterns of every sort of animal. Lots to learn, for sure.
I chose the pig to start with because I liked the way the ears are attached.
There is a slit cut in each side body, really more like a triangular dart. The pre-sewn and turned ears are inserted into the dart after the side bodies are attached to one another and then the dart is sewn up, trapping the ears in the seam while also shaping the head. Cool!
Okay, more about under bodies. The under body on this pattern reaches all the way to the snout and as it gets near the cheeks it widens. The cheeks come out looking really full and, well, piggy.
Overall I really like this pattern. It is really well drawn and well designed. I think the tail could be thinner and longer, but that's a small thing and easy to redraw.
That piggy looks really cuddly. Cute!
I’ve had that book sitting on my shelf awhile. Perhaps it’s time to revisit my bookshelf and make a cute softie — I’m loving the walrus! BTW, I *heart* your birds so much! Cheers!
Wow. I really, really like what you’ve done from the pattern book, and I’m happy to see the piecing of the undersides. I’m super impressed with they way each animal comes together. And your fabric choices are great.
I love how you made the eyes so droopy. Like Eeyore.
🙂
Rachel
This is indeed a great book! Carolyn has another book called “Sewing Tiny Toys” and it has good patterns in it, too!
Thanks for letting us know about Rudi! I just received my copy of “Good Design in Soft Toys” (purchased used from Alibris) and it is fantastic! The book is very informative for any doll or toymaker. Thanks so much, Abby! Happy Thanksgiving!