This month you can see some fabulous custom toys (along with tips to recreate the magic yourself!), fun examples of the same pattern in vastly different fabrics, long-pile shaggy fur on a Funky Friends Factory toy and see how to include the ENTIRE front of a shirt on a toy, plus how to add a child’s name to a toy without hand sewing or fancy equipment!

Let’s take a look…

First off, a fantastic first attempt at a Funky Friends Factory pattern. This Digger Dachshund was sewn by Hettie Lynn Minks Tynes. Looks like there will be lots more beautiful toy projects in Hettie’s future!
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Click HERE to buy the Dachshund pattern.

 

 

The Diggles Dragon sewing pattern looks especially “dragon-y” in this gorgeous batik print fabric. This beautiful batik dragon was sewn by Katrina Penrod Heath. The felt circle behind the craft eye helps it stand out from the print.

 

Sometimes dragons are cuddly. This Diggles Dragon sewn by Jan Hardisty is made from blue faux fur fabric. The scale fabric accents are a great contrast to the fur.

Click HERE to buy the Dragon Sewing pattern.

 

Sometimes classic animal colors are a great toy fit, especially when you add some fancy fabric on the smaller parts like the feet. This Fifi Fox toy was sewn by Ginny Murphy, and it was her first try with the pattern!

Click HERE to buy the Fox Pattern

 

 

This fancy floral version of the Cheeky Chook Chicken pattern was sewn by Shannon McDaniel.  Why not try out some bright fabrics on YOUR next farm friend for a trendy decor item.

Click HERE to buy the Chicken pattern.

 

 

So you’ve got a school uniform shirt and want to use the WHOLE front of the shirt for a toy…what do you do? You super-size the pattern! This ginormous version of the Penny Penguin sewing pattern was sewn by Emma Boulton. This super-size is at least 200%. Be sure to use a toy with a “No-seam” tummy if you want to use the entire front of a shirt (examples include Ben the BEGINNER bear and Easter Bunny Buddies).

Click HERE to buy the Penguin pattern.

 

 

TIP: Want to know HOW to re-size a toy pattern?

If you want to know how to make enlarge a pattern to make a BIGGER toy (or how to ‘shrink'(reduce) to make a smaller toy – check out the “How to resize a toy pattern” blog post HERE.

 

In this post you will find:

How to ENLARGE or REDUCE a pattern.

How to make an EXACT SIZE toy ( a simple math formula).

How to PRINT an enlarged pattern at home (poster print option).

 

 

 

 

Here’s a fun example of adding a name to a toy without any fancy supplies needed. Look at the ear of this Easter Bunny Buddy sewn by Lindsey Mortimer. 

 

The child’s name on the ear was added on with iron-on letter patches purchased from a craft store.

What a great idea!

Click HERE to buy the Easter Bunny sewing pattern.

 

 

Have some dress shirts to use for a keepsake toy? This wonderful Winome Wolf was sewn using clothing by Carol Parker. I like how the “white” portion of the muzzle is also a plaid shirt.

Click HERE to buy the Wolf pattern.

 

We had some super cute memory bears sewn this month!

It’s the end of the school year in many parts of the world right now. If your kids outgrew their uniforms, you can make keepsakes! This pair of Melody Memory Bears was sewn by Becky Kerr from her daughters’ school uniforms. The bear in front is sized down to approx 75% from the original size (toy in back). It’s easy to do…just enter a smaller print percentage on you home printer settings.

Click HERE to purchase the Melody Memory Bear Pattern.

 

Wow, this customization is amazing! Look at the tummy panel on this Keep Me Keepsake Bear and you’ll see the card inscription has been digitized and machine embroidered onto the toy. Yvonne Briddon made this bear for herself using her grandmother’s jumper and a greeting card. You’ll need special software to digitize a signature like this, and if you want to use a knitted garment for fabric, be sure to line it and zig-zag stitch the edges of each piece before cutting out pieces to prevent fraying. Always practice on anther similar garment first.

 

 

Here’s another version of the Keep Me Keepsake Bear (sewn by Will Peters) made from clothing. This bear is sewn from dress shirts and neck ties.

Click HERE to purchase the Keepsake Bear pattern.

 

 

This  Calico Signature Bear was sewn by Roxanne Martin-Mccleary – it was her first memory bear!

Click HERE to purchase the Signature Bear pattern.

 

 

Buttons the BEST DRESSED Bear was designed to be made using keepsake clothing as the fabric, but you can use regular quilting cotton, too. The pattern includes pieces to make a perfectly fitted collar and cuffs (along with a bow tie and felt vest) if you don’t have a dress shirt to use. This colorful Buttons the Best Dressed Bear was sewn by Elisabeth Smead. The head, hands, and feet are sherpa faux fur.

Click HERE to purchase the BEST DRESSED Bear pattern.

 

 

Rainbows, clouds, and polka dots make up a perfectly magical Kelsey Keepsake Unicorn, sewn by Debbie Burton. She used felt to make a ruffle for the mane.

 

 

Here’s another pastel unicorn confection. This Kelsey Keepsake Unicorn was sewn by Sandra Hughes, and she used the tutu option included in the pattern.

 

Some perfect pattern placement (this is called “fussy-cutting”) put Elsa the princess on the hoof of this Kelsey Keepsake Unicorn sewn by Anna Wright.

Click HERE to purchase the Keepsake Unicorn pattern.

 

 

This Ben BEGINNER teddy bear was sewn by Lynette Colley for her friend’s new baby. 

Click HERE to purchase the BEGINNER teddy bear pattern.

 

AND this month’s winner is…

Congrats to this month’s winner Maureen Flynn. She sewed Lloyd Llama in wacky and wonderful long-pile fur! 

CONGRATS Maureen! You win
a FREE Funky Friends Factory Pattern ~>
of your choice!

Click HERE to buy the Llama & Alpaca Pattern.

 

Want to win a

FREE toy pattern?

 

It’s so EASY to enter the Pattern GIVEAWAY!

 

ALL you need to do is post a photo of a FUNKY FRIENDS FACTORY toy that you have made on the Funky Friends Factory Facebook Page .

At the end of each month I draw a winner and post the winner’s name on the Blog the following MONTH. I have an Album on Facebook for all the MAKEROFTHEMONTH winners. You can check it out HERE!

 

 

NOT on Facebook? ENTER by email! 😀

*** You can send me your photos by email too!

 

So come on! Share your photos  ~> The next winner could be YOU!!!

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Till next time,

Happy Sewing,
Pauline
xxx