Ronnie Bear

The prototype of a bear pattern I'm drafting/designing - He's called Ronnie after my dad

Teal Teddy

The newest teddy in the collection. 

He's made from teal glazed cotton with hand embroidered seams and eyes (approx. 16cm tall)

Splat Bear Pin Cushion

I made this little splat bear specially for my mother

 (a keen cross-stitcher and fan of my work - naturally) 

He's approx. 3 inches tall. Made with denim and plush fabric.

Denim is great for pin cushions because it gently polishes the pins/needles as they move through the fabric. 

Feeling blue Teddy?

This teddy is one of a kind, made from a pattern I drafted myself and later altered. For some reason he reminds me a little of a clanger (might be because of his nose) 

Stuffed Shape Experiment

Following the ridged shell experiment I felt like exploring some more shapes and so Amba's toy collection has grown once again

Stuffed Shell

Another stuffed experiment, continuing on the sea theme I guess - mostly I just wanted to give the ridges a try... 

Sewing Snaps

In the midst of sewing...

Patterns - Ball Experiment

Continuing with my pattern drafting experiments I've constructed a roughly shaped ball, mostly I made it to see if I could but also so Amba could have a new ball toy...

Amba - after playing with toys

Stuffed animal prototype

This is the stuffed fish prototype I mentioned here, its a little worse for wear since Amba (a.k.a my mischievous puppy) got hold of it but I plan to make more decorative versions now that I'm happy with the pattern.

Amba - playing innocent 

Patterns - stuffed animals

A while ago I started altering various teddy bear patterns, making small changes to lengths and shapes that adjust the overall look of the  bear. Those alterations have been the stepping stones to drafting my own simple patterns, again I started with a bear but I've also been getting quite excited about other animals like dolphins and fish.

Its all very experimental and so every time I've made a prototype to test the pattern my puppy Amba has got a new toy. I leave out details such as eyes and use tough fabric for the toys/testers but eventually I plan to use the patterns I'm happy with to make more elaborate, decorative stuffed animals using plenty of interesting fabrics and nice finishes such as embroidery.

I might post up one of the prototypes later - if Amba hasn't playfully destroyed it by then...