Here’s a quick post with some of my favourite projects over the last year or so. All these toy makes were designed for Simply Sewing magazine, which can be purchased in shops, newsagents or subscribed to online, for a digital issue. Hard to pick favourites, but I think these are mine.
Sweet plush dog with a tartan coat and spotty lead
I’ve been busy creating more toy sewing patterns for Simply Sewing! For issue 56 I created one of my favourite ever designs, the lovely, pink alpaca below and the team styled it so beautifully! I’ve used Shannon fabrics for this project; a smooth ivory plush and a cuddly, shaggier pile pale pink. You’ll need some different coloured wools and a scrap of a favourite fabric for the coat. Happy sewing! The templates are available to download at www.simplysewingmag.com/downloads
And issue 57 is out now too, featuring Emily the Elephant! Buy your magazine from all good newsagents or, again, you can download the templates from the Simply Sewing website. For this project I’ve used a pretty floral cotton duck fabric, with purple wool felt for the ears. Wool felt is ideal as it is washable, softer and far more durable than craft felt. I hope you enjoy making these latest toys! Remember to please tag me on social media if you’d like to show off your makes!
This is also out on the shelves now, issue 54 of Simply Sewing magazine. In it you’ll find your project details for ‘Pretty in Pink’, a delightful kitty in a pink Liberty floral dress and felt collar with fluffy white pom poms. Make her in these colours or customise her from your existing stash, or in your favourite colours. Tag me on Instagram @thewhistlingcowgirl, Twitter @whistlincowgirl or post on my The Whistling Cowgirl Facebook if you have one you have made and want to show her off!
My latest project for Love Patchwork and Quilting is this adorable bunny doorstop! He’s made from a light caramel coloured plush fabric and has Liberty fabric appliqued details, as well as a fluffy wool pom pom tail….not seen in the picture here! Inside the bunny’s bottom there are baking beans to add some weight, so he can easily hold open your door. There’s also a Liberty fabric and felt carrot for an emergency snack. Issue 72 has all the step by step instructions you need to make him, plus the templates. So what are you waiting for!? This little rabbit will really make a spring statement in your home!
Hello there Cowgirls! I have a number of new designs planned for this Spring…and these lavender sachet giraffes are the first to launch. The first one has just been sold online in my Etsy shop and more are on their way! It’s always so nice to create something new and to know that someone, somewhere, has fallen in love with it and decided they must have it. I really like these giraffes, with their cheery fabric and wool felt manes and tails and have enjoyed making them. I’ll post more pictures when there are more giraffes to show you!
It’s the Chronicle Christmas Market tomorrow, Saturday 15th December, and although we’re expecting some less than hospitable weather, we’re hoping you’ll come and have a look around at the lovely crafts, sample the delicious local foodstuffs and enjoy the festive atmosphere! We’re there from 9am-6pm, so do take a moment from the high street madness to pay us a visit! I shall be there with my sweet little friends, who are all looking for brand new homes for Christmas!
I was so excited the other day to go and seek out and buy issue 64 of Love Patchwork and Quilting magazine…which features my project to make your own fuzzy llama! You’ll find a materials guide, photos and step by step instructions to make this super cute soft toy for yourself. I made two versions for this feature; a cuddly, cream woolly version and a pale pink, long haired one. Which is your favourite? If you do make one, and you’re on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, please do post a picture and tag me! Search me out using, ‘The Whistling Cowgirl’ or @whistlincowgirl on Twitter. Meantime, here’s a couple of snaps of the issue….
Hello there!
I’ve been thinking I need to pay this site some attention. It does tend to get neglected in favour of my online shops, for instance. And so I think it needs to serve a different purpose, rather than feeling somehow like a kind of add on, an old friend you keep feeling bad about neglecting, when you’re really fond of them, actually. I think we need a new look, at least, and some serious thought put into what is needed from the site. So over the summer I’m going to brew up some ideas and see what I can come up with! In the meantime, here’s a pretty picture or two, and the promise of something just a little bit exciting coming up very soon!
See you back here soon, I hope! Lucy x
I’ve been busy making some new goodies that I’m going to be taking to next week’s Christmas Fair at Shrewsbury High School (this year on the prep school site, Old Roman Road, 5pm-8pm on Friday 24th November). I can’t quite believe that we’re here again, that Christmas is just weeks away! It’s unbelievable. Anyway, here’s a quick peek at my new felt swan decorations. Available in white, pink and blue, these are entirely sewn by hand, with pretty beads, white netting and hand cut gold crowns. They have proved rather time-consuming, but are really quite nice to make. I always enjoy a break from the sewing machine to get back to some old-fashioned hand sewing. Here’s a pic! I’ll also shortly be listing some of these in my Etsy and Folksy online shops. Adieu for now!
Pink felt swan decorations
Hello again at last! And apologies for the lack of posts of late. It’s easy to get swept up in life and, online-wise, also be distracted by social media and neglect your actual website! I’m here today to remind you it’s Made in Shropshire in Shrewsbury town square this Saturday 8th July. It’s my first outing there this year and I’m really looking forward to it! Lots of colourful loveliness to show you! See you there! As usual, 9am-5pm.