12 fun characters to make and love

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contents
6 Introduction

PROJECTS
8 16 24 30 38 46 54 62 70 78 86 94 Tilly the Doll Harry the Monster Alexander the Caterpillar Lou-Lou the Panda Preston the Lion Pearl the Zebra Darcy the Dinosaur Mabelle the Mouse Gerbera the Giraffe Alvin the Alien Polly the Pig Finnegan the Frog

TECHNIQUES
104 108 110 112 114 118 122 126 127 128 Basic Tools & Equipment Fabric Using Templates Preparing to Sew Hand & Machine Stitches Stuffing Techniques Limbs & Joints Suppliers About the Authors & Acknowledgments Index

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template twice onto the wrong side of the plain red fabric folded in half. Sew the horns together along the marked line, leaving the ends open for turning as indicated. Cut the horns out approximately 3mm (1/8in) outside the sewn lines. Turn the horns right side out and stuff firmly with toy filling.

thirteen Draw around the horn

fourteen Fold the bottom raw edges

inside the horns and then, following the Attaching with Ladder Stitch technique on page 122, ladder stitch the folded edges onto Gerberas head. Sew one horn approximately 6mm (in) to the left of the beginning of the mane and the other the same distance to the right side of the mane, making sure that you stitch them in a circle to retain the rounded horn shape.

fifteen Take a small piece of the

remaining white spotted fabric and fold in half, right sides together. Draw around the ear template twice onto the wrong side and sew the ears together along the marked lines, leaving the bottom edge open as indicated. Cut the ears out approximately 6mm (in) outside the sewn lines. Snip the corners, turn right side out and press.

rs for adventure, ea t er al e th n o s ed ears e friend is alway . Gerberas gather n o ti ac Our lively giraff to in g n s stand , ready to spri the stuffed horn ile h w and eyes primed c, ri b fa ed ith asting spott n be replaced w ca es ey n o are in the contr tt bu he l child. ain red fabric. T ones for a smal lt fe l o o out well in a pl w k ac bl ee page 114) or satin-stitched (s

Tip
Pull the thread tight when sewing on the button eyes if you want them to dimple the head a little.

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bottom edges of the ears, as in Step 8. Ladder stitch one ear onto either side of Gerberas head, each ear beginning about 6mm (in) from a horn.

sixteen Hand stitch and pull to gather the

seventeen Using all six strands of a length

of black embroidery thread (floss), attach a black button to either side of the head as an eye. This can be done using the same method as button jointing, sewing through the head (see page 125).

Gerbera is flicking her tail enthusiast ically in anticipation of uncovering somet hing interesting in her explorations. Leng th s of blue embroidery th read (floss) make a nicely tactile tuft emergi ng from the end of the stubby stuffed part of the tail.

To make the tail, cut two small pieces of white spotted fabric measuring 4.5cm x 2.5cm (1in x 1in). Take about ten 810cm (34in) lengths of the blue embroidery thread (floss) and place between the two fabric pieces, right sides together. Sew the tail together along both long and one short end, capturing the thread (floss) in the short end stitches, as shown in the diagram. Turn right side out, stuff the tail and trim the threads to the desired length. Fold the bottom raw edges inside the tail and then ladder stitch the tail onto Gerberas rear.

eighteen

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finnegan the frog

Come and meet this fab-looking fellow, Finnegan the Frog, who likes nothing else but to indulge in fun in the sun. You only have to look at that big smiley face and then at his playfully printed fabric body and boldly patterned surfer shorts to see that he means serious recreational business! A range of straight-forward soft toy-making techniques are involved in creating Finnegan all explained at the back of the book (see pages 102125), including sewing several pattern pieces together, stuffing and attaching limbs, together with basic embroidery stitches to add his expressive facial features.

you will need

 40cm (16in) green patterned fabric (body, arms, legs)

 18cm x 18cm (7in x 7in) green linen / cotton blend fabric (face)

 25.5cm x 25.5cm (10in x 10in) red patterned fabric (shorts) bing

 10cm x 10cm (4in x 4in) fusible web

l felt (eyes)  Small scrap of black wool felt (eyes)

 10cm x 10cm (4in x 4in) white woo

white, black  2 x 2.5cm (1in) buttons in a matching colour (dont use if making for a small child )  Good-quality poly ester toy filling

 6-strand embroidery thread (floss):

 Strong polyester thread

  Doll makers needle, for button jointing

 Fabric glue

  Basic tool kit (see page 104)

Finished size: 42cm (16 in) tall

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specifications
ISBN: 978-0-7153-3845-2 Imprint: D&C RRP: 14.99 Format: Paperback flaps ISBN: 978-0-7153-3845-2 Imprint: D&C US RRP: $22.99 Format: Paperback flaps Size (HxW): 276 x 210mm Size (WxH): 8 x 10in Extent: 128pp Photographs Colour: 75 lllustrations Colour: 75 Edition: First Word Count: 15,000 Rights Available: World Category: Craft BIC Code 1: WF Handicrafts BIC Code 2: WFB Needlework publication date: JULY 2011

contents
Introduction

ters to ma 12 fun charac

ke and love

PROJECTS
Doll Monster Caterpillar Cow Lion Zebra Dinosaur Mouse Giraffe Alien Pig Frog Sewing Techniques Templates Suppliers Acknowledgments About the Authors Index

marketing points
A unique approach to sewn toys with a fun, modern style that will appeal to adults as muc h as children. Sewing softies is a great favourite with crafters small, cute projects make great gifts or self-indulgences. Previous series title Knitted Toy Tale s has sold over 15,000 copies since publication in October 2009. Melly & Me are a powerhouse desi gn duo with a massive worldwide following.

description
Melly & Me present a fun and fabulous collection of personality-packed designs that will have you sewing adorable toys in no time! Each of the brightly coloured characters is a joy to sew for all abilities, making them the perfect gift for children or adults, or a trendy home accessory. Projects combine simple sewing techniques with funky fabrics, embellishments and colour palettes to add zing and excitement to your sewn toy creations. Easy to follow step by step instructions, quirky photography and full-size templates make this book a delightful gift as well as an irresistible addition to your sewing collection.

the authors
Melly & Me is a design label founded in 2006 by sisters Melanie Hurlston and Rosalie Quinlan. Specialising in bags and soft toys, the Melly & Me look is all about mix-and-match fabrics and modern colours. Rosalie recently launched her first range with well-known fabric company Lecien and both sisters attend all the major fabric design shows, including Quilt Market. Melly & Me is based in Australia.

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