Making Adorable Button-Jointed Stuffed Animals. Rebecca Ruth Anderson
© 2018 by Rebecca Ruth Anderson and Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc., 903 Square Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552.
Making Adorable Button-Jointed Stu ed Animals is an original work, rst published in 2018 by Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc. The patterns contained herein are copyrighted by the author. Readers may make copies of these patterns for personal use. The patterns themselves, however, are not to be duplicated for resale or distribution under any circumstances. Any such copying is a violation of copyright law.
All photography courtesy of Rebecca Ruth Designs except for stock photos as follow:
Flaticon.com: Price tag icon made by Smashicons (price tag icon 8); Wissawa Khamsriwath (knitting icon 8); and Freepik (church icon 8).
Freepik.com: isidoro151 (chapter opener background and header banners 19–20, 22–28); Olga–spb (chapter opener background and header banners 29–30, 32–35); Terdpongvector (chapter opener backgrounds and header banners 36, 38–43, 57–58, 60–62); Freepik.com (chapter opener backgrounds and header banners 44, 46–51, 52, 54–56, 63–64, 66–69, 70, 72–73, 105–106, 108–111, 118, 120–123, 150, 152–159); Nenilkime (chapter opener background and header banners 92, 94–98); and Stephanie2212 (chapter opener background and header banners 99–100, 102–104).
Shutterstock.com: Gitanna (buttons 2); Mascha Tace (3); Evgeny Atamanenko (top left 9); Auhustsinovich (bottom right 9); Jenn Huls (top left 18); Nadezda Barkova (chapter opener background and header banners 74, 76–81); Shum-stock (chapter opener background and header banners 82, 84–91); Kaewta (chapter opener backgrounds and header banners 112, 114–117, 133–134, 136–141); Alenka Karabanova (chapter opener background and header banners 124, 126–132); Tono Balaguer (water 125); and LikaKinsky (chapter opener background and header banners 142, 144–149).
Print ISBN 978-1-56523-944-9
eISBN 978-1-60765-545-9
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Anderson, Rebecca Ruth, 1950- author.
Title: Making adorable button-jointed stu ed animals / Rebecca Ruth Anderson.
Description: Mount Joy, Pa. : Fox Chapel Publishing, [2018] | Includes index.
Identi ers: LCCN 2018018273 (print) | LCCN 2018024490 (ebook) | ISBN 9781607655459 (ebook) | ISBN 9781565239449
Subjects: LCSH: Stu ed animals (Toys) | Button craft.
Classi cation: LCC TT174.3 (ebook) | LCC TT174.3.A537 2018 (print) | DDC 745.592/4--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018018273
To learn more about the other great books from Fox Chapel Publishing, or to nd a retailer near you, call toll-free 800-457-9112 or visit us at www.FoxChapelPublishing.com.
We are always looking for talented authors. To submit an idea, please send a brief inquiry to [email protected].
For a printable PDF of the patterns used in this book, please contact Fox Chapel Publishing at [email protected], with 9781565239449 and Making Adorable Button-Jointed Stuffed Animals in the subject line.
INTRODUCTION:
Upcycle Older Garments to Make New Toys
Wool is a wonderful fiber. It is durable, colorful, and soft. Just because a sweater or coat is a bit worse for wear or out of fashion doesn’t mean it can’t find a useful new life. The button-jointed toys in this book are ideal for reusing wool fabric that otherwise would be destined for the landfill. The result is a delightful menagerie great for play or display.
These toys are easy to sew by hand and compact enough to work on most anywhere. You’ll find that the felted wool feels lovely as you stitch. Felted wool is thick, giving strength and structure to the figure. Once felted, a freshly cut edge won’t unravel. Because the raw edges of all seams are to the outside, there’s no need to go through the tedious process of turning things inside out before stuffing.
You can use knitted wool (from sweaters) or woven wool (from garments) to make animals. Knitted wool generally felts into a thicker fabric than woven wool and it makes larger animals. Knitted wool also has more stretch than woven wool so it makes rounder animals. This book will brief you on where to hunt for suitable wool, how to identify it, and how to felt it to just the right texture.
These animals are made from simple shapes that, once stitched, are joined to the body with buttons. The thread holding the buttons goes through the body, making moveable joints that allow you to pose the figure. Using vintage buttons will add a lot of interest to your animal. Each button can be different—but it’s important to use the size required.
The wide variety of colors and patterns in wool will give your creativity full range. Add decorative stitching of a jazzy color and some unusual buttons and you’ll have a one-of-a-kind toy that is sure to please.
Safety note: These animals are great gifts for kids, but reserve them for children above the age of three. Younger kids might pull off the buttons and put them in their mouth—a serious choking hazard.
Contents