I get so excited every time the "sock and glove" rep (which is what I call her in my head ... her name is Melissa ... hi, Melissa!) emails me offering a book to review. She sends me the best stuff. :)
This time I got a copy of
Softies Only a Mother Could Love. The title implies that these are ugly softies, but, while they aren't your traditional teddy bears, they are an adorable lot. Maybe I'm just acclimated to our indie and Japanese-inspired style.
I decided to make the owl designed by Abby who writes
While She Naps. Hers is fabric, but I decided to use a bunch of the felt that's been languishing in my stash. I didn't enlarge the pattern, as suggested by the book; I just used the book-sized pattern pieces. I decided to "cheat" and use the sewing machine. WOW! I whipped this up in record time. Seriously. I told Andrew that I was going to go make something and came back about 45 minutes later with the owl and he said, "You just made that?!"
My favorite bit is the fussy cut tummy. I've been wanting to
fussy cut something since the first time I saw someone mention fussy cutting. Plus, if you can't tell, it's super fun to type and say fussy cut. Fussy cut!
The book is fun and there are several projects I'd love to make in it. The mad dog (seen on the cover below) comes to mind. Made large, it would be a great couch pillow.
I've been hoarding the green felt and this brown textured felt for years. It felt great to dig them out and actually cut into them. Yay for stash busting!
My only negative comment about the book is that the tag line is "Lovable Friends for You to Sew, Knit, or Crochet " and there is only one knit project and ZERO crochet projects. I initially decided I would make a crochet project from the book because the owl was so ... obvious. But I looked through the book three whole times before I realized that there weren't any crochet projects. The strangest part ... they have crochet instructions in the book. As long as you know you're getting a sewing book, though, it's all good.
GIVEAWAY!And, because I've got super blog mojo lately, they are offering to send a copy to one of my readers! Yay for giveaways!
Leave a comment on this post telling me about one of your childhood stuffed animals and you would have a chance to win a copy of Softies Only a Mother Could Love.
Open to residents of USA only.
I will stop accepting comments at midnight on Sunday, February 8th. To find out what time that is where you live, choose your time zone next to the heading "Select place to convert to"
on this page at The World Clock.
I'll announce the winner on Monday, February 9nd.