Let’s start this post with a confession. Up until last week, I had never sewn a toy before. I had thought about it, I had been curious about it, but never actually tried it.
Then, I got an invitation to be part of the blog tour for a new book by Melanie McNeice. It is called Fun of The Fair, published by F+W publications, and contains patterns and instructions for some super cute stuffed toys. What a great occasion to make my first plush toy!
Confession number two: The name Melanie McNeice didn’t immediately ring a bell to me, nor did her alias Melly & Me. Even though confession #2 can of course be explained by confession #1, I still feel profoundly ashamed, as I found out that Melanie is nothing short of an institution in the sewing world! She currently has five books to her name (she also wrote Kaleidoscope, Sewn Toy Tales, Snug as a Bug, and Sew Cute to Carry), made over 100 patterns, and designed 5 fabric lines for Riley Blake. In eight years time. (And yes, she has kids!)
I was really eager to stitch up one of Melanie’s plush toys, and let Norah do the picking. To my surprise, she didn’t choose the pony, but the sea lion. That left me relieved, as it seemed like the fastest and easiest of the five projects.
I used up the very last scraps of my beloved Cloud 9 Straws in Minty fabric (from Georgette), and combined it with some Cotton Couture solids (peach, creamsicle, and gold). Stitching the toy was a piece of cake. Melanie’s instructions are really clear and detailed, with diagrams added where needed.
Moreover, it was really fun! Seeing a plush toy grow from a few flat pieces of fabric into a 3D thing is quite something special. And Norah loves her new buddy 🙂
If you’d like to see more projects from this book, make sure to check out the other participants in the blog tour:
Straight Grain |Feeling Stitchy | Messy Jesse | Sewing Is for Girls | Boolah Baguette | Fabric & Flowers | Sewcial Warrior | Sew Scrumptious | Feather’s Flights | Sew Many Ways
straightgrain 
I think I'd have to make the lion so my little would have a matching mascot to take along on Halloween!
I think it would be the lion for me – that way my daughter would have a matching mascot for Halloween!
mooi! wil ik me ook wel eens aan wagen….
I think.my twins would love the monkeys! They r adorable!
Haha, well do you want me to let you know that your little one probably actually picked one of the most difficult projects from the book?! So if you have dont this well you would have blitzed any of them!! Thanks so much for being a part of the blog hop!!! I love your seal to bits and appreciate your sweet words about the book! xx
O die van jou is zo mooi!
What a very cute seal….
So cool! I want to make 2 monkeys!!! 🙂
Just guessing my daughter would go for the pony, but then you never know, do you 😉
Well let me first agree with confessions one and two. You helped me to get to know her now, so I guess it's time to make my first toy. I would do the lion I think. It looks cute…
This is just too cute! I might have to try the pony. 🙂
die olifantjes zien er wel heel schattig uit …
I love the horse. 🙂 Though the lion is one you don't see everyday either…
All 5 – I would have to make all 5 🙂
kei schattig… ik wil de leeuw proberen !
Leuke actie. En wat een prachtige zeehond!
Great job! I love making soft toys, I'd have to work through the book… Several times!!!
I love them all but I think after your review that I'd start with the seal – I've not sewn soft toys before so it would make sense to start with the least complex. Plus the seal is super cute, both the animal & the soft toy. Thanks for the chance to win this fantastic book!
Love the Lion and the elephant to much!
My two year old is obsessed with lions. It would have to be the lion!
Child number two is called the lion so I would have to make the lion for him, but child number four's name starts with elephant so she would need the elephant – I think I will be busy!
I REALLY love them, they a different than other toys – well done!
I would choose the seal or the pony 🙂
I'm gonna tell about this give away on my blog – only looking at the pictures made you smile already !!
nice wil ik ook wel eens proberen
The elephant, he's adorable!
My daughter wants to horse – Just like the one in the book!
You've done a fantastic job. Can't wait to get a copy of the book.
I have always been an elephant lover so would begin with this and then the seal. x
You did a fantastic job for your first toy. I think all the toys in the book are very cute.
I recently made a Wallace the whale (free Tut over at Camelot Fabrics) Loved it Have not made a softy in a long while my kids grew so I stopped but the seal is super cute so I would start there then a lion and gotta love Elephants so a few of those.
De leeuw lijkt me leuk. Ik ben er zeker van dat mijn zoontje er blij mee zou zijn!
http://julietteandjules.blogspot.be/2014/09/straight-grain-volg-eens-een-give-away.html
Je bent niet alleen, ik had tot voor kort ook nog geen speeltjes genaaid. Terwijl mijn dochter regelmatig met de boek van Tante Hilde komt aanwandelen.
My grandmother used to make us plush toys, both sewed and knitted. They are still my priceless treasures! 🙂
I would love to try to make some monkeys for my to monkeys 🙂
het paardje is echt zo schattig!
Het zeehondje is keilief!
Monkeys seem to be the perfect gift for a friend of mine who just jave had two babys last month!
Zo een mooie patroontjes! Ik krijg zin om er zelf 1 van te maken! 🙂
Your seal is adorable! I think I'd make one, too 🙂
Oh my, they're all so cute! I would start with the sea lion, I think, but I would definitely have to make all five for my kids!
I would sew the lion 🙂 my little sister just fell in love with it 😀
But I really love the sea lion 😀 😀
I would let my granddaughters pick the one they want. I'm guessing they would want a horse, monkey, and sea lion. Thanks for the giveaway and your did a great job on your sea lion.
I wouo love to make the pony!
Can't wait to get a copy of the book.
wow they all look so cute!
The seal or the horse. I love those little button legs! Thanks for the chance to win.
The horse for sure!!! Then the Monkey!!! Oh my !!! I would need to make them all because they are just to cute!!!
Callie is all about the pony lately so I have to pick the horse 🙂
So cute, love Norah's choice! I have been following you quite some times, An! 🙂
This is too cute!
My girl will probably want the pony, but I want to make the monkey!
These are all adorable, but I'd definitely make the seal!!
They're all so gorgeous! Really love the seal though so i think i'd make that first for my niece.
Wat een schattige een kleurrijke knuffels! Je zeehond ziet er prachtig uit.
I'd love to try the monkey!
I'd start with the lion!
I would love to make the lion for my Leon… 🙂
I 'd try the lion with that clever rickrack mane.
I want to sew the sea lion for sure. I also like the lion.
I think I would make the monkey first.
I'd make the pony, but use a black and white zebra stripe fabric.
They're the cutest! Thank you for introducing Melanie to us. And true, I have never made a toy before. I think they are all adorable, I think I would start with the seal. Or the pony. Or the monkey!!! Or I'll just make them all 🙂
They are all so cute, but I think I'd start with the Seal. Thanks so much for the chance! Yours turned out adorable!
ik zou voor de zeeleeuw gaan, maar volgend mij kiest de dochter resoluut voor de pony!
Either the seal or the lion. Can't decide which. I love them!
I would make the seal first. Then maybe the elephant.
Zo schattig! Dit zijn echt ideale cadeautjes voor alle pasgeboren kindjes hier.
I'd sew the seal, too! It's so cute!
LOVE this little guy! Want to get book THANKS for the giveaway
I would make the seal first! But they're all adorable!
I think a pink lion would be perfect.
I would like to sew the elephant. I just made 2 turtles so I need to branch out.
kdavis1@centurytel.net
I would want to try the monkey! They are all very cute.
I would make an elephant for my daughter!!! They are all so sweet!! Perfect projects for our local hospital bazaar!!
I always go for elephants and this one is a cutie.
Love them ALL!!! Adorable!!! Would make the Seal for sure..Grangirlie will looove!! & maybe she will vote for the Horse next! lol
Adorable animal patterns. I can't say I've ever sewn a toy animal…the Monkey (and the bowtie) is too cute.
Following by email.
My little great granddaughter would love the lion!
The horse is my favorite, but the seal is a close second.
The elephant
I love the monkeys!!! They are so adorable 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!!
The horse! My daughter has a toy horse she ADORES but it doesn't stand up. They are all darling though. Any of them would be a nice graduation from the stuffed toys I've already made. (Just a few days ago!) =)
I forgot to mention that I really love the colors you used for your seal. =)
The lion looks really fun to make.
I may need to make one of each of these! So cute
Very nice! I adore the lion and pony! Hopefully I make a chance here in little Belgium 🙂
OMG, I would SEW make that pony!!! *HEART*
kweenbee_612@yahoo.com
I'd like to sew all of them except the monkeys (I really don't like monkeys!), but top of my list would be the lion, he is so cute! I love Melly's designs.
I would like a little lion for my little lion 😉
I love the monkey!
I think the pony is great and a stuffed toy that my kids don't have yet.
The plush toy is so cute. I wonder what other cute animals are in there? Would love a copy of the book and appreciate the opportunity to participate in the give away!
i would sew the little Lion, he's adorable.
Heel mooi! Knap gedaan!
Ik waag ook mijn kans.
I know my kids would love me to sew the horse!
super sweet and I love the pastels!
Such darlings animals! It would be the seal for me…I love them!
wat een super schattige knuf!
How can I choose? I'd make them all!!!
I would LOVE to make the sea lion…He is SO cute and I love the fabrics you used. Thank you for the chance to win!
Nice seal !!
Ik zou zeker ook voor de zeehond gaan!
Ik zou dat aapje wel willen maken.Heb gisteren een leeskussen gemaakt met aapjes stof.Hier te zien:http://ikmaakhetzelfnu.blogspot.be/2014/09/cadeautjes.html dus zo'n knuffeltje erbij zou tof zijn.
The pony is supercute, I would go for that one!
While they are all so cute, I would choose the horse. Too adorable!!
They're all adorable! I'd have to start with the monkey though 🙂
I'd like to sew the monkey! My grandson would love it
All of them are cute. But I would begin with the Horse
i would definitely make the monkey first….my younger sister is mentally handicapped and LOVES (is obsessed) with monkeys so this would be an awesome christmas gift
the horse!
Probably the seal… because it is so adorable!! 🙂
Mooi!! Ik zou ook de zeehond kiezen.
Oh! Mijn petekindje zou die zeehond geweldig vinden!
I'd love to sew the seals. My toddler would adore them!
Oh, do I have to choose just one ….. the monkey!! Thanks for the chance to win.
Oh my gosh, this is so cute!! And your color choices are to die for. I want to make one! Haha
That pony is just killing me with cuteness!
I would love to make the Elephant!
I love thm all!!!!
De zeehond is geweldig, maar de olifant kan ik ook wel smaken!
There all so cute! It would be a toss up between the elephant or the lion but then again the seal is so sweet too!
Thank you for the chance 🙂
I would like to make the seal
Uhhhh, they are so cute ♥ I think I'd make the elephant. And the seal. And the horse 😛
I just love the elephant – he would have to be first
How adorable! I can see my scrap basket shrinking exponentially!
Love the horse
I'd like to make that little horse. sarah@forrussia.org
They are all very cute, though I cannot go past the monkeys!
My daughter loves ponies so the horse would by first on my list.
It´s so sweet!
I love the pony, it's just plain beautiful. Thanks for the chance.
ncjeepster@aol.com
Wow, wat een schattig zeehondje !
Ik zou ze wel allemaal willen maken !
De Max! Deze zou ik ook wel willen maken!