Customer Reviews

Stitched Toys: 20 Stunning but Simple Designs

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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

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!

I love working with felt even though it works with other fabrics too and it reviews the embrodery stitches to get the outline of the items to make for the ones who have them....I have a 5yr old and 2yr old grandchildren so this book is perfect for me to use with them an for making things for them..it makes Grandma look like a real winner.....im glad I got this book its very charming with good instructions....but keep in mind the patterns and items are for younger children to enjoy,to make with you or older children maybe in groups to make...i can see some of this items in Bazarrs or fund raisers for Brownies,Girlscouts or just summer camp projects......it has a lot of good ideas for all mentioned.......B.W.

Terrific little book. Clear and simple instructions. Great for teaching primary children or to create special gifts for friends..

I have been looking for easy toys to create and this one fills that bill. Easy instructions and uses scraps which we all have. A very good toy book

This book is full of cute patterns for anyone who loves to embroider or sew! I have already made 4 of the toys with plans to make more! I would reccomend this for anyone who has children or loves making stuffed gifts!

When I was growing up with my grandmother we didnt have a lot of money and she would always take the time to stitch toys for me and my brother, well now i am a mother with a 3 year old daughter, who loves her hand made items more the anything else, and i wanted to pass this art of making toys down too her. I got this book because i have a lot of craft items and fabric that i am not using and needed ideas to make some toys. I still have many of the toys my grandma made for me and they hold many cherished memories. I hope to someday teach my daughter how to make her own toys as well! The directions are easy to read and you can just about make anything you want and know that it was made in the USA!

This is a beautiful book and has lots of very cute projects that would appeal to young children just learning how to sew. The mouse pictured on the front cover is by far the most complicated project in the book. I'd give it five stars as a children's sewing book, but no more than three stars as an adult book.