How to Sew Little Felt Animals: Bears, Rabbits, Squirrels and other Woodland Creatures

"How to Sew Little Felt Animals" is a lovely book of patterns of animals and clothing. It is a book that I saw and pre-ordered months ago based solely on the pictures on the cover. When the book arrived, the reality of the projects is even better than the promise of the photographs.Sue Quinn has written a wonderfully instructive book. The instructions are clear, the photographs well done, and she has given many suggestions for how to make sure your animals look and act properly once they are finished.It should be noted that all of the patterns for both animals and clothing need to be enlarged. Each page gives the exact enlargement needed. The author suggests tracing the designs and working from those rather than take a chance on harming the book. I've done this process with other patterns before. While it is an additional step, it absolutely saves the integrity of the book for future use. When I make my final pattern page, I use freezer paper as it is easily saved and reused in the future.The book includes instructions and patterns for the following animals: rabbits, squirrels, bear, moles, and mice. There are also instructions and patterns for the clothing which are shown on the cover and throughout the book. All of the clothing pieces can be made for any of the animals (with slight modifications to adjust for animals with and without tails, as applicable.)The clothing pieces are varied and very sweet looking. They range from jackets, and dresses, to school boy's outfits (including tie!) The author makes many suggestions as to types of fabric for the outfits, including scale, fabric content, and even makes suggestions for unusual sources for fabrics such as fine gauge knits.She gives very detailed instructions (both written and visual) for how to create the gorgeous little animals. I had never thought to use a cotter pin with my little felt creatures but it makes absolute sense to do so to give them movable parts.There are wonderful needlework instructions and she rightly suggests that you attempt to learn these stitches before making your animals. I have been a needlework designer for many years and I wholeheartedly agree. If some of the finer details are not done top notch, it will be harder to enjoy the finished projects. The stitches involved are not difficult and should only take a few hours to fully master all of them.So many felt pattern books are focused on females that it is a real joy to see that Ms. Quinn has made gender neutral animals and included clothing for both boys and girls. While she notes that the animals projects are not intended for young children (probably not under three due to small pieces), I think that these can be made and given to older children to play with - both boys and girls.The quality of the book and instructions are obvious in the sample that you can look through here on Amazon. The entire book is up to the standard shown. I have already begun my first project (I love the the baby teddy and must do him first) and I am sure that I will be making many more of these delightful animals for my house and to give as gifts to loved ones. I have only just started and I am already hoping that Ms. Quinn has follow-on books with other animals (maybe farmyard?) in the works for the future. The one thing I could have wished for that was not included is a list of online sources for some of the materials she recommends. These are fairly easily found with internet searches for anyone who does not already have vendor sources they buy materials from.I highly recommend the book. It is entirely appropriate for intermediate and above. A beginner can also work these projects, just be sure to take your time and work each step as directed. Cutting corners or trying to speed ahead can easily result in miss-steps that can make your projects turn out less than what you wished for.

This book is just lovely! Having designed and made many stuffed dolls and toys, I love making things from other people's patterns these days. I haven't made these yet (book just arriced), but I can tell that the patterns and instructions are well-written. I especially wanted the clothing patterns as clothes have never been my forte! As for the questions about why the patterns need to be enlarged...it is slightly annoying, even if you can do it at home as you then can't copy 1 to 1 since the 33% larger page won't fit on printer paper... so I don't honestly know. I'll probably scan the pages into my silhouette cameo/curio software where they scan in perfectly scaled and I can then blow up the pieces individually and have the cutter cut them out of stencil plastic or poster board... It's a handy tool for pattern making!

Very nice book. Has patterns and all info needed. Great illustrations and instructions. Recommended.

there are full size patterns available on line. The patterns are quite good. The animal necks need to be a little longer so I just add a quarter inch. The clothing runs a bit big. The directions are not as clear because there are missing steps. But, since I have been sewing for 52 years... I can figure it out. The book and binding came apart but that's fixed with glue. I actually like this book. I have made 5 little animals and am on number 6. I do, however, use a small print cotton fabric for the ear lining so that it's not quite so thick.Have fun... buy the book... you'll enjoy it too if you like cute!

A great how to book. I've been sewing since I was a little boy and I've already learned a lot from my first project made with this book. Having to copy and enlarge the patterns is a bit of a hassle. I took photo's with my phone then printed them out to the proper size on the computer. The instructions and tips are very clear and easy too follow along with the photos. While they suggest using a sewing machine I made my first project by hand and honestly can't imagine fiddling with the tiny pieces on a sewing machine. Hand stitching took a bit longer but I think it was actually easier in the end. Very happy with my first project, the mouse. (I added a tomato because we've got a bit of a problem with rats eating my tomatoes from the garden)I'm revising my review as I just noticed that they provide a location to download all the patterns as .pdf files that are the proper size. You'l need to buy the book for the web address but it's there.

I really like all the little animals and their outfits. Easy instructions. Nice color photos. However....patterns are not full size and it cost me another 24 dollars to have them all copied at appropriate size as neither my office or home printer could do 133% copies. This was disappointing and I had bought a second copy as a gift, felt bad giving a gift that would cost more to be able to use. I would rather pay more for the book and have full size patterns. But I do love the little animals and I will probably feel it was worth the extra cost after I have made them up.

This is a wonderful book. The designs are very detailed and well done. The book is well written with plenty of pictures and instructions. I have given this book as gifts to my crafty friends. The patterns do need to be enlarged. You will not be disappointed with this book. The patterns are simply adorable!

Muy fácil de entender y tiene patrones muy bonitos para diferentes animalitos. Muy recomendable

Great book, super cute animals to make. I thought they would be too fiddly to machine sew but they are not. Love the outfits as well. Easy and clearinstruction. Enjoying making them.

The book is magical. I've already made 5 mice and several articles of clothing. Excellent directions, love this book.

We are so happy with this book. It is absolutly wonderfull and all the instructions are clear and easy to understand. Now we are choosing wich one Will be the first that we are going to do. Thank you so much!

Great little book, filled with great projects.