First Impressions

This book immediately caught my attention as a designer of ‘Memory Animals’. The front cover is absolutely delightful, sparking an instant desire to explore the pages and discover what lies inside.

 

Thoughtful Organisation

The content page is well laid out and thoughtfully categorised, making it easy to identify which toys are best suited for various age groups, from babies to adults. Knowing the appropriate age range and understanding the construction of toys, especially for safety reasons, is crucial, and this book provides all the necessary guidance.

 

Visual Appeal

The book features some lovely pictures throughout. They are clear, colourful, and playful, adding to the overall enjoyment of browsing through the projects.

 

Template and Instruction Challenges

On the downside, the absence of included templates is a bit disappointing. Instead, there are diagrams that need to be photocopied, enlarged, and then a seam allowance must be added. This process feels unnecessarily complicated. The suggested method of transferring patterns onto material using carbon paper might not be the simplest approach; making a template and either drawing around it with a heat erasable pen or pinning it to the fabric might be easier for some.

 

In terms of instructions, personal preference leans towards ‘how to’ photographs rather than just diagrams, though this is subjective.

 

Suitability for Different Skill Levels

The toys in this book are beautiful, but it may not be the best choice for complete beginners. While each toy is designated a level of competence, which is helpful in selecting a project, only five out of the twenty-five patterns are rated as level one, presumably for beginners. This suggests the book is geared more towards experienced toy makers. However, the hints and tips provided are very useful, especially for those trying toy making for the first time.

 

Favourite Projects and Overall Value

Particular favourites include ‘Madame Unicorn’ and ‘Miss Cat’, both of which are definitely on the list to try. Priced at just under £13, this book is well worth it and a ‘must-have’ for any toy maker’s collection of sewing books.