Make Softies

Adorable animals and other sweet treats beg to be made in this awe inspiring craft book. Cheeky photos, easy instructions and ready-to-use pattern sheets make it a cinch to whip up these irresistible gifts.

If you want to sew up a quick gift, make a toy for a baby or toddler, or decorate your home with a little whimsy, look no further than this collection of 11 softies from popular designers Amy Adams, Kirstyn Cogan, Samantha Cotterill, Abby Glassenberg, Jill Hamor, Brenna Maloney, Sweetwater, Kasja Wikman, Annabel Wrigley, and Angela Yosten. Cute houses, cuddly creatures, friendly characters, and even a checkerboard are all achievable with three-dimensional sewing for beginners and experienced sewists. Plus, the projects in this value-packed book will use up your scraps, stash, and even your socks!

Softies--simple cloth characters to sew with basic tools--are popular worldwide for good reason: easy, fun designs give the successful results that inspire a new generation of kids to sew. This guide to the zenki way, from the founder of Sew a Softie, helps parents, teachers, community organizations, and kids make a good thing even better! Using the zenki method, everyone can create huggable softies--and more importantly, design their own. The zenki secret? Two squares of felt, only four straight lines to sew, and a key design feature: wide seam allowances, allowing arms, legs, wings, hair, and more to be cut from the border (no inserting or pinning). Try it with these 14 different zenki characters to make, brimming with quirky personality and ready for your own touch. Each project builds designing know-how and has clear photo-by-photo instructions. Learn the zenki way to become an unstoppable softie designer, and a lifelong sewing lover.

This book brings together 17 Sew a Softie designers from around the world. Each designer has come up with a delightful new hand-sewn project to inspire moms, dads, kids, grandparents, and teachers of all kinds. No expensive machines are required, and each project uses stitches and techniques that can easily be mastered by first-time sewers. Get together with kids and enjoy time together sewing a wide range of softies, including a Taco, a Painted Flower, a Tooth Tiger, Bluey Koala, a Toucan, Seashells, Lucky Spiders, and many more. Sew a Softie is a worldwide community that works to teach a whole new generation to sew, and to transmit a love of sewing and an appreciation of its enormous potential to nurture creativity, independence, and a sense of community in our children. Sew a Softie events have inspired thousands of people, especially young children, to begin sewing.

This technique-filled workshop for creating soft toys, with 16 projects and 52 lessons, covers everything from the basics to advanced construction elements.

This wonderful collection of handmade toys will delight children both young and old. The 25 projects, designed by expert craftsman Rob Merrett, take their inspiration from traditional playthings, including dolls, animals, and more. Begin with Baby’s First Soft Toy—delightful gifts for newborns designed in soft colors and gentle prints. Nursery Novelties is next, with easy patchwork and appliqué embellishments, followed by Activity Toys, where clever designs will stimulate young children’s minds. Creature Comforts has adorable animals that are perfect for little ones in a range of pretty fabrics. Finally, Divine Dollies is packed with trendy, vintage-looking rag dolls that you will love to make. Rob also develops the concept of “Kids Forever,” where designs should appeal not just to children, but also to adults who will appreciate his stylish, retro approach. Each toy comes with clear, step-by-step text and beautiful photography and artworks that will guide even a novice stitcher, helping them to produce gorgeous gifts with a charming, handcrafted feel.

Introduce kids to the wonderful world of sewing with this imaginative how-to book. Thirty brilliant projects for young sewists showcase a fresh, modern style - each one is fully explained with step-by-step instructions, engaging photographs, and helpful tips. These super-cool projects - from jewellery and bags to home decor - will quickly teach the aspiring seamstress a variety of sewing skill and give her a fantastic "do-it-yourself" confidence.

Stacey Trock, author of Cuddly Crochet, presents a terrific new collection of cuddly stuffies. Find animals from every continent and the sea, all made with earth-friendly yarns. Discover fun facts about the yarns and regions. Create a moose, panda, penguin, alpaca, snake, fish, and a few surprises Turn fibers such as soy, bamboo, organic cotton, and undyed wool into child-friendly toys Get basic info on crochet as well as stuffed-animal assembly in projects for all skill levels