This is the first sewing book that I actually made something from, a little whale softie with a hidden pocket/tummy, which I blogged about with awful pictures several years ago. Now I’m reviewing the whole book, “Flip Dolls & Other Toys That Zip, Stack, Hide, Grab & Go” by Laura Wilson*
(affiliate link), and showing off the quirky little fish/cat I sewed from it!
I’m reviewing one book a month this year, check out my other sewing/craft book reviews on this page!
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I sewed up the Cat-Fish Turnover Doll, it is such a fun concept! I’m including it in with a few other things as a baby gift for a high school friend.
My son was particularly intrigued that the shapes were the same but the embroidering made the different animals, he loved flipping it back and forth and feeling the embroidery. I used the opportunity to try out a few of the stitches I’ve learned while working on my alphabet sampler instead of using a back stitch for everything. I love how they look!
I skipped the loose whiskers and fin for a more minimalist look. I had intended on sticking a rattle inside… but forgot. Whoops!
Book: “Flip Dolls & Other Toys That Zip, Stack, Hide, Grab & Go” by Laura Wilson*
Publisher: Lark Crafts
Focus: Softies that have moving parts or interactive elements.
Project List Overview:
Zip & Stack: Stacking Trees / Nesting Flowers / Elephant Parade / Cheshire Cat / Smiling Crocodile / Sly Fox
Hide, Seek, & Go: Peekaboo Turtle / Getaway Car / Bouncy Bunny /Gulp the Whale / Winged Horse / Nuts ‘n Bolts Robot
Show & Tell: Good Times Watch / Bright Ideas Computer / Plucky Ukulele / Grabby Crab / Knotty Frog / Perching Bird / Lie Detector
Flip & Turn: Cat-Fish Turnover Doll / Secret Messages / The Caterpillar and the Butterfly / George and the Dragon / The Owl and the Pussycat / Superhero Flip Doll / Vampire and Bat / Circus Flip Doll
Highlights:
- The recommended supply list is reasonable and well explained. The ‘getting started’ tips and techniques is well done.
- Although the book says to enlarge the patterns yourself, there are full-size printable patterns online.
- Several of the patterns are brand new to me – I’ve never seen anything similar.
- There are multiple photographs of each project, with different angles.
- The patterns use a variety of fun trims and notions, great for cleaning out sewing project leftovers.
Negatives:
- Instructions are on the light side. Skimming the Amazon reviews, it sounds like a few of the patterns needed tweaking.
- The seam allowance wasn’t easily found – though I did dig it up eventually at 1/4″, found in the front on page 17.
- The pattern pieces are a little rough; lines not matching up or awkward curves. Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things but just seems sloppy.
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Here is a shot of the technical illustration & pattern page to give you an idea of what those look like!
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