Stitched Toys: 20 Stunning but Simple Designs [Paperback]

Kate Haxell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 2009

 

An imaginative collection of 20 stunning, soft and safe stitched toys.  From bean bags with whimsical faces to beautiful embroidered dolls, Stitched Toys shows you how to make a collection of wonderful toys that your children will love to play with and you will love to make. Simple step-by-step instructions and great photography guide you through every project, with each graded in difficulty so that you can pick the ones that best suit your current skill level. Including guidelines for easy embroidery, appliqué, patchwork, decorative beading and making toys' faces, you'll have no problem stitching these 20 original designs that children of all ages will treasure for years.

 

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

 Taught to sew at an early age, Kate Haxell spent many hours making clothes for her long-suffering teddy bears. Author of six craft books, and editor of many more, Kate's favorite crafts are sewing and knitting.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Hamlyn; Original edition (June 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0600618501
• ISBN-13: 978-0600618508
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #380,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice craft book for summer, July 12, 2009

By 

Joan Johnson "average reader" (WC, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stitched Toys: 20 Stunning but Simple Designs (Paperback)

If you're a quilter and have a room full of fabric, a sewing machine, and are looking for some lighter, quick projects during the hot summer months, I highly recommend STICHED TOYS. Chock full of toy patterns for the under-8 years old set, these easy stash-busting designs require little more than fabric, simple sewing, and, occasionally, embroidery thread. Simple but sweet is the name of this game, with blocks for toddlers, an embellished fabric snake, a rabbit pajama case, and a giant quilted snail cushion for all ages. There's a total of 20 delightful toys, with easy to follow instructions, colorful illustrations, templates, and guidelines for simple embroidery, appliqué and patchwork.

Some projects may be easy enough for your older child to help make for the younger children, such as the "Rag Doll" or "Cool Cat". An excellent way to introduce them to sewing and even, in some cases, hand sewing skills.

Once the basic sewing is done, these are nice "in front of the TV" or "sit on the deck" hand projects, to embellish as much or as little as your creativity calls for. STITCHED TOYS might just be what you're looking for to fill some long summer hours with a bit of fancy handwork practice! And if your handwork isn't perfect? Believe me when I tell you that the lucky recipient of these toys won't care one bit!

Review from: http://QuiltingonaBudget.blogspot.com

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "Faberge Eggs" of homemade toys, May 30, 2010

By 

Ana Mardoll (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stitched Toys: 20 Stunning but Simple Designs (Paperback)

Stitched Toys / 978-0-600-61850-8

I am absolutely delighted by the patterns and designs in this book. The subtitle proclaims "20 stunning but simple designs" and "stunning" is right - these are the "Faberge eggs" of homemade toys. As you can see from the front cover, author Haxell has taken basic toy shapes (mouse, doll, ducky, elephant, teddy) that anyone could whip together in a few hours and has added simply stunning detailing in the form of careful embroidery and detailed hand-stitching.

Now, I'm the last person in the world to extol the values of hand-stitching - I try to use my machine for *everything*, but these designs are too lovely to pass up. The dolls in particular are excruciatingly lovely - the detail work on the eyes, cheeks, lips, and fingers of the dolls evoke a very special blend of old-fashioned crafting (by using simple thread instead of buttons and snaps) and modern artistic style and flair.

Although the detail is daunting, the instructions are well-written, with lots of pictures of assembly and the finished products to help the crafter along. I can almost guarantee that these works of art will be cherished by children who are old enough to appreciate the uniqueness of the final product. And, I will add, a great big kudos to author Haxell who urges her readers to reuse old material from around the house for reasons of environmental awareness and economy (most of these toys are small enough that even a fat quarter of material would be too much).

~ Ana Mardoll

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Done!, November 16, 2009

By 

KLP - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stitched Toys: 20 Stunning but Simple Designs (Paperback)

I'll admit, I haven't sat down to sew any of these projects just yet (the book was just delivered the other day), but after looking through the book, I was impressed with not only the design of the projects themselves (beautiful!), but also the layout and design of the book.... I'm looking forward to working my way through all the delightful projects. :) Well done!