Storybook Toys: Sew 16 Projects from Once Upon a Time • Dolls, Puppets, Softies & More

This book is lovely to look at and has great patterns and instructions to go with the pretty images. While personally, to me, it looks like many of her patterns are very similar reproductions or variations of several vintage patterns that I have seen or own, the author has created fabulously adorable versions and if you can't find a vintage pattern, at least you can get something similar here. This statement is not meant as a criticism, but instead to point out that you can use this book for more than just the included patterns. The instructions given, however, are far better than most vintage patterns! Her use of Waldorf style hair techniques (or at least that's the only place I've seen it) to make beautifully parted hair keeps your doll from looking like a floppy homemade rag doll. Also, the method she uses to embroider eyes with multiple colors results in a dynamic eye that is so much prettier than vintage style one color embroidered eyes. There are also many tips to help you get better results with your dolls (her blog also has some good stuff on it to). Her goldilocks topsy turvy doll is better than any of the vintage patterns which alone would make the purchase of the book worthwhile. So, if you like this style of doll, definitely buy the book--you then have all the patterns included and you can use the instructions to help you out on similar vintage patterns you can find on ebay and other such sites. And whichever child receives the dolls and toys you make will be a very happy little person!

If you're like me I want to justify a purchase by knowing there are more than one or two things I will make from a book. Don't worry, there is NOTHING in this book I DON'T want to make! Like right now!!! If you like to sew lovely things and know a child who will appreciate soft toys, you need this book! Not only do get the patterns for a variety of dolls and doll clothes (shoes included), but there is also a section of adorable toys as well. (Humpty Dumpty has won my heart!) All designed with a classic retro feel and timeless appeal. The book is well written with clear and concise instructions, detailed illustrations and simple tips to help give magic to your finished projects. I'm impressed by the ideas and information I haven't seen elsewhere - for instance combining multiple colors of embroidery floss to give the irises of eyes a realistic and charming touch. Or the wide variety of facial templates to give your doll the facial look and expression you have in mind. And hair! Great tips on what supplies to use and how to create a variety of looks.Another thing that makes me especially happy is that PATTERNS are FULL-SIZED! No hassle of getting them enlarged, taping together etc.Simply put, this book is a wealth of information! Not only are these projects great, but I can see myself using some of these clever techniques in other ways ... Get the book, you'll love it. Create, enjoy!

This book has a great collection of projects, both doll variations & stuffed toy variations. The projects are beautiful and the project photography is done well. There is a fantastic section in the beginning regarding general tips for materials and for sewing toys, embroidered faces, and hair variations (17 pages on hair!).However, I would hesitate to recommend the projects to a beginner, as the sewing complexity and lack of diagrams/ process photos would be frustrating. There are not any basic process photos and some of the instructions are very vague for a beginner, such as the basics of *how* to assemble the body and how to attach the arms & legs to the body securely (ex. instructions note to 'sew the limb securely to the body').This book includes several complex projects including a 3 dimensional doll (where the body is more than a 'front & back' side), marionettes, a topsy turvy doll, etc. As many of these projects are not in the realm of 'attach side A to side B,' I was surprised by the lack of diagrams and photos that show the difficult steps of construction. While I know this would probably have added a considerable number of pages to the book, I think it would have been a valuable addition to assist beginner and intermediate readers to tackle the more difficult projects in the book.Overall, it is a fantastic resource for anyone who is interested in sewing dolls & toys- even the beginners can gain a lot of knowledge and expertise using the first third of the book which has a thorough review of materials, tips and general guides which can be applied to any project.

HEY BEGINNERS: If you want to try this book for cloth dollmaking, google VintageClothDollmaking. The members on this website will help you out all that you need with any questions on how to construct these dolls.What a darling, fun book that I just could not resist. I happen to like embroidered faces and Jill's faces are especially interesting, full of character and color but simple enough for anybody to achieve great results. Love her 17 pages on hair which I have found difficult for years. It's been a lot of fun and improvement to try out the methods Jill describes. I'm following her instructions for applying hair and it is so easy to do but best of all, you don't cut your yarn until you've finished applying the hair. Can't believe how easy her "hair" is. Clever Jill is! This long-time dollmaker has learned a lot from her.Like an earlier reviewer, Mia said, however, constructing the body could possibly be a little confusing to a beginner, but if you do have some skill with sewing already, you could probably get over any humps yourself. But do google VintageClothDollmaking for help if you have trouble.So grateful that the patterns are already full-size and I don't have to enlarge.I love the sweet vintage(y) feel of the doll and animal projects. You will too.

The patterns are very unique!

可愛い人形の作り方満載で見ていて楽しいです。kindle版が早く買えたので、早く作りたいですが、型紙で少し苦労しています。普通の本にすればよっかったかなと反省中です。可愛いのに魅力的お人形がとても良かったです。

Pattern pieces are at scale, instructions are easy to follow. There is something for everyone in this book. I have already made several items from this book. I can't put it down.

this is one of the most lovely crafting books ive had the pleshure to read in years. i am so excited to start makeing the toys and dolls for my children, daycare kids and friends kids worth every penny

Génial!