Sewing Tiny Toys [Paperback]

Carolyn Vosburg Hall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1999

The author demonstrates how hand and machine sewers of all skill levels can create their own small plush toys with material such as felt, fake fur, beads, ribbons, pipe cleaners and pellets. It offers 60 original animal patterns, easy-to-follow instructions, and clear illustrations so construction is quick and easy. The book is divided up into different construction techniques: shifting stuffing, movable arms and legs, and armatures for long, narrow parts. Readers can also learn how to create their own patterns from drawings and photographs.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Tiny toys--many only 3" tall--fit nicely in pockets and children's hands, and they are easily carried about in a plastic bag while still being worked on. Hall, the author of 11 previous needlecraft books, including Soft Sculpture, here creates a menagerie of fetching animals created from scraps of felt, faux fur, beads, and other easily obtained craft materials. Included are full-size patterns and step-by-step instructions for sewing (by hand or machine) 52 toys from dogs and ponies to salamanders to a fanciful dragon, along with information on designing and embellishing these tiny toys. A good choice for all public library crafts collections.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Krause Publications (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873417879
• ISBN-13: 978-0873417877
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,253,272 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A mini menaguerie, August 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Sewing Tiny Toys (Paperback)

I LOVE THIS BOOK! It has patterns to make just about every little critter there is. Kitties, giraffes, ponies, scotty dogs, duchunds, monkeys lambs, kangaroos, skunks, moose, bats, armadillos, ducks,otters, tigers, bunnies, owls, penguins,sea creatures, people. The list goes on and on. Sizes from 3" up to 8" beanies. What child wouldn't delight in holding one of these little "loveys" in their hands or as a little "pocket pal" to take to school? The instructions are fairly clear.There are a few points I wasn't quite sure on (ear insertion),folding the head dart, but, figured it out. The materials used are quite inexpensive. Felt bodies(some are in mini fur fabric) and seed beads for the eyes. I prefer mini fur fabrics over the felt, but the felt is inexpensive. Also,for the 3- 4" mini's ,I prefer to use the 2 to 2 1/2mm black onyx beads from bead/jewelry suppliers or imitation black plastic round beads you can find in craft stores for the eyes. They are round and give more of an "innocent eye" look to the animals face rather then the uneven shaped seed beads the author uses, which I feel tend to make some of the animals eyes look a tad sneaky. Place the bead where the eye should be and pull the thread tight into the head so the bead is sitting in a little dent. This sinks the eye in a bit so that they look less "beady" and "popeyed" that way. All in all, it's a wonderful book with wonderful illustrations and patterns and I'm sure having one of these little creatures, or several, would delight any child. Adults too.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quick and fun projects, June 23, 2000

By 

L. Swanson (Iowa City, IA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sewing Tiny Toys (Paperback)

These tiny toys take just minutes to sew - although you may take longer than that deciding which one to make first! I especially liked that they can all be sewn by hand, making them great take-along projects. I made the teddy bear and bunny at Easter time, and they are small enough to fit inside a plastic egg - which was a big hit with the recipients. It is also nice to see such a wide variety of animals in addition to the classics - there is a camel, a mole, a ladybug, and many others. To top it all off, every pattern is illustrated with a close, clear, color photo so you can really see what your toy will look like. This book will be in frequent use on your pattern shelf!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book For Anybody Who Sews...or Anyone Who Doesn't, March 28, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Sewing Tiny Toys (Paperback)

This is a really great book for anybody. You don't have to be experienced to understand how to do it because it explains everything from stitching to what kind of fabric to use. There are tiny animals to sew from all around the world. There is an elephant, a giraffe, a polar bear, a cat, a dog, a lion, a tiger, people, an otter, a parrot, and even a mushroom! There are 52 full size patterns. This book even gives tips on designing your own little creatures. The directions are very clear and easy to understand. The book also gives ideas of how to use them like making them into Christmas tree ornaments or using them as party favors. It even shows how to make joints out of buttons and how to paint the creature so it looks more realistic. This is a great book that is easy to understand and pretty simple. I know I've had fun with it and I hope you do to.