Felt Friends

My friend Anna asked me yesterday to post some of my felt creations, so this morning I went digging through Sym’s room to find as many as I could.

This is an old/terrible picture, but this is the first felt toy I made for Sym, the original Little Symmie, made from a very simple pattern I designed.

The original Little Taylor, also from my own pattern. He took six hours to make and a couple of months later he vanished completely. The picture is also bad, but if you view it full size you can see the little piercings I painstakingly embroidered with silver thread. Yes, I’m still bitter about him being lost/stolen.

A mermaid from my own pattern.

Blue bunnies, made using patterns from The Cute Book.

Grey cat, also from The Cute Book, but slightly modified. I also made a Siamese cat in a red coat but I can’t find it.

Two tadpoles, both from The Cute Book, although I modified the pattern for the bottom tadpole.

Sym’s Christmas present last year, Sailor Senshi dolls. These took so long to make, each doll is a different height and has different hair and shoes, requiring separate patterns for each one. ANd so many little details! The cats were also very fiddly to make- Diana (the grey kitten) is only 1″ tall! This year I’m going to complete the set by making the Outer Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen.

The felt family I made for Sym’s birthday this year: new Little Symmie and Little Taylor, and a Little Mommy as well! I used the Sailor Moon, Sailor Chibi Moon and Tuxedo Kamen patterns for the bodies and made new patterns for the clothes and hair (and beard!).

My most recent felt friend, the little doe I made a few weeks ago. The pattern isn’t quite right but it’s a start!

There are a couple more in Sym’s room that I couldn’t find, a weird purple unicorn from a pattern that needs a lot more work, and a really nice ladybug. If I can find them I’ll edit this post to add them in.

As you can see I usually prefer to make my own patterns, but if you’re just starting out some good books are The Cute Book and Cuter Book from Aranzi Aronzo.

They are full of cute, simple patterns and easy instructions. Sym made this “Cuddlies” rabbit from The Cuter Book last night with only a little help from me, although we elected to draw/glue the face rather than embroider it (she doesn’t quite have French knots down yet. Actually, neither do I!).

Here are some other books I have, I find they are great for inspiration and Sym loves looking through them!

Felties by Nelly Pailloux, and Zombie Felties by Nicola Tedman and Sarah Skeate.

Cute Dogs: Craft your own Pooches by Chie Hayano, and I just saw there’s another book, Cute Pups: Canine Friends and Accessories, which I’ll have to get!

Cute Stuff, Cute Dolls, Fun Dolls, and Baby Stuff, all from Aranzi Aronzo.

Happy crafting!