Here at Feeling Stitchy we were lucky enough to be given a copy of Fun of the Fair by Melanie McNeice to review. Fun of the Fair features five different animal soft toys; a pony, elephant, lion, seal and monkey and the instructions for each are very comprehensive with good, detailed diagrams. The patterns are ideal for bright, colourful fabrics and the design of the toys is particularly good, I think, for young children, with the alternative suggestions on what to do instead of using buttons. I also liked how the toys could be styled in multiple ways, depending on the child you're giving the toy to.
Photo from Fun of the Fair by Melanie McNeice
I would say that the book is ideal for an intermediate sewer or perhaps a beginner up for a challenge. I had a go at making the elephants (I made a daddy, mummy and baby elephant, as there are two different size patterns) and although I've made quite a few soft toys in the past, I think I may have been staying well within my comfort zone because these elephants took me out of it!
And although I'm not totally happy with the result, that was absolutely down to me and not the book. I've definitely learnt new stuff to make these, thanks to the book's tuition and I'm eager to make more!
So a big thank you to Stitch, Craft, Create for letting us have a look at this book and an extra big thank you as they would also like to give away a copy of Fun of the Fair to one of our readers. The giveaway is open internationally and to be in with a chance please leave a comment below saying which Fun of the Fair animal you'd like to make first; a pony, elephant, lion, seal or monkey. The giveaway is open until 1200 GMT 1st October 2014. Good luck!
And if you would like to follow the rest of the Fun of the Fair blog hop, you can find the rest of the dates and links here!
It would have to the monkey. Hands down! I've a friend expecting in November. She loves monkeys!
ReplyDeleteI would like to make the pony. Very cute little pony.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the pony. Very cute.
ReplyDeleteI would love to sew some elephants.
ReplyDeletei would definitely make the monkey!!!! my younger sister is mentally handicapped and obsessed with monkeys - her entire room is stuffed with them!
ReplyDeleteI would make the elephant first, but then make them all! These are perfect for our baby due in February
ReplyDeleteI would make a seal first, for my son who turns 3 soon. He likes sea animals =)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the seal :-D
ReplyDeleteI'd make a seal.
ReplyDeletePony! My daughter loves ponies.
ReplyDeleteSo hard! One of my boys likes elephants and the other two like monkeys!
ReplyDeletePony!!
ReplyDeleteThat little lion is ADORABLE!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to make the lion for my friend's little boy's birthday next month.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the elephant! :D
ReplyDeleteWould have to make that pony first. Too too cute! Thanks for a chance to win.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to sew the monkey first. My grandson loves monkeys.
ReplyDeleteI'd make the monkey.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter just loves elephants. so easy decision to make.
ReplyDeleteI think a lion first, sight unseen. That could be fun.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to make a monkey.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway
They all look cute but, I'd make the pony first!
ReplyDeleteI´d make a lion first! :)
ReplyDeleteOh that pony on the front cover is so adorable and I have a horsey mad little girl that would love it! So I would deffinitly make the pony first!
ReplyDeleteI'd probably try to make lions for my sons and a pony for my niece! And then make more animals! Soooo cute.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd make the sweet seal first. Thanks so much for the review and the chance! :)
ReplyDeleteOoh! I'd make the elephants! Super cute! Thanks
ReplyDeleteThe pony that's on the cover is the first.
ReplyDeleteLove the monkeys and that's my grand daughters favorite, so the monkey would have to be first(:
ReplyDeleteIt would be the seal at that's my daughter's fave since she kissed one at a zoo.
ReplyDeleteMy baby's room is full of elephants. She absolutely adores elephants, so that is what I will be making first!
ReplyDeletei would definitely make an elephant. yours came out so cute!
ReplyDeleteThe horse offers so many possibilities!
ReplyDeleteYour elephants are so sweet :)
Thank you for the chance.
I'd make the seal first! :)
ReplyDeleteI would make the monkey. It is so cute.
ReplyDeleteOh my!
ReplyDeleteThey're amazing!
How to choose...
I think I'd go with the monkey first. Imagine all the funny clothes you could make for one of those darlings!
Thank you so much for giving us a chance to win it!