Craft Book Author Sian Keegan Q&A + Giveaway!


Have you ever sewn a stuffed animal? Today, we’re chatting with craft book author and stuffies expert Sian Keegan, author of the lovely new book How to Make Stuffed Animals (Quarry Books).


Sian, welcome to Craft Buds! In your book, you mention that you’ve learned a great deal of your technique through other craft books. What does it mean to you to be able to write this book and share your passion with others?

It makes me so happy to see photos of animals made from my patterns! After spending years creating custom stuffed animals, it feels great to share what I’ve learned with others.

In a lot of ways the time I spent making my 3D Pet Portraits was like my stuffed animal-making boot camp. I had to improvise techniques and patterns on the fly to create different shapes and textures for each unique pup that came through my inbox.

For visual people like myself I think a book is the best way to learn a new craft technique. In-person demonstrations are often difficult for me–a whole group of people watching one set of hands, having to digest information in one sitting through mostly verbal instruction. I like having something I can always refer back to and do problem-solving on my own.

Photo: Sian Keegan

2) Can you give me a snapshot of the process of writing this book?
I wrote the book in the summer of 2011. I started sometime in July and turned in all of the text, illustrations, and photos (by Jen Korff) by October 1st. We continued editing the text while Caitlin Keegan worked on the design. It was finished by the end of that year!
Photo: Jen Korff
What do you love about sewing and making stuffed animals?

I love seeing oddly shaped pieces of fabric come together the make a 3D form. My favorite part is stuffing the animal and adding all the details that make it come to life in the end. I kept the patterns in the book really simple with as few pieces as possible, both to make it easy for beginners and to limit the time cutting fabric and sitting at the sewing machine to get to the truly fun part.
Photo: Jen Korff
If you were teaching a friend how to make stuffed animals, what basic supplies would you recommend she add to her sewing kit right away?

Definitely invest in a super sharp pair of fabric scissors and never cut paper with them! I also suggest getting a few crochet hooks. I use the hook part to pull the animals right-side out after I finish sewing them, and the rounded bottom to push small bits of stuffing into the legs and head.

For fabrics, my advice is to grab materials that speak to you right when you see them, even if you don’t have a specific project in mind. It’s convenient to buy materials for a project in one stop at the craft store, but collecting fabrics and notions over time from different places makes for a more interesting and personal finished project.
Photo: Sian Keegan
Sian, what’s next for you?

I’ve been working on patterns for more cuddly, doll-like stuffed animals (above). I’ve posted a few patterns in my shop and I hope to share more in another book at some point! I’ve also been experimenting with non-animal soft sculptures like plants, houses, and other forms, as well as quirkier items like my Birthday Shrimp (below). My background is in textile/surface design so I’m always designing 2D patterns as well!
Photo: Sian Keegan

Giveaway!

Would you like to win a copy of Sian’s new book, How to Make Stuffed Animals?

Leave a comment on this post telling us one thing you’ve learned from our interview with Sian, and you could win!

 

(Giveaway open to U.S. readers only. We’ll choose a winner one week from the date of this post.)

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Hi, I’m Lindsay Conner, an author, modern quilter, editor, and founder of the Lindsay Sews blog. I’m a Baby Lock ambassador and Stash Books author who loves writing modern sewing and quilt patterns for beginners and weekend sewists! I live in Indianapolis, Indiana with my husband, son, and two loveable cats, Murph and Chloe. I’ve been crafting for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I saved my dollar bills for trips with my mom to Jo-Ann Fabrics, where I’d find new floss for friendship bracelets or mini cross-stitch kits. Because my mom has always shared my love for crafting, she bought me my first sewing machine, a Hello Kitty Janome.

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39 comments

  1. I thought it was was very cool that Sian had made custom stuffed animals earlier, and interesting how books are her preferred method for learning new techniques (to refer back to over and over). Nice interview! Thanks.

  2. I love her comment on picking up fabric and notions that speak to you when you see them. Not because you need them but because you may need them in the future. I’ve been doing this for years and have a very extensive stash of goodies! LOL

  4. I learned that it is perfectly normal (and also encouraged) to pick up fabric that speaks to you even if you don’t have a project in mind. Now I don’t feel like such a hoarder…..

  5. So many cute animals and way beyond the standard teddy bear! I like the idea of using a crochet hook for stuffing. Why didn’t I think of that?

  7. I learned she uses a crochet hook to turn and stuff pieces. Never thought of that! Genious! Thanks!

  10. crochet hooks, I’ll have to get some of those. I’ve made a few super simple softies but would love to try doing more. This book looks like it would be great for that 🙂
    Thank you!

  11. How wonderful, I’m always amazed at how long a book takes to put together to get to the publisher. Makes me appreciate them all the more. I love the little shrimp.

  13. I love her comment about sewing strangely shaped flat pieces of fabric into cute 3D objects, I get the same kick when sewing clothing. It’s really kind of magical.

  14. That I totally want to make a Birthday Shrimp, but also about collecting fabrics that speak to you, I normally only purchase with a project in mind, another great reason to shop.

  17. About using crochet hooks when turning things right side out – for some reason I’ve been using a pointy skewer which isn’t that effective!

  18. I love her advice to buy fabric that speaks to you when you see it. The crochet hook suggestion is awesome.

  20. I love the crochet hook idea for stuffing. I’ve always used a chopstick – but I think the hook would work so much better!

    jitterbug1 (at) gmail (dot) com

  21. Simple learning matter. I learnt that a few simple pieces can make an amazing stuffed toy as long as u stay true to the pattern and add the jazz well.
    Also, never cut paper with fabric scissors.

    Sonalee

  22. I thought it was neat that Sian made custom animals for years. How cool to roll that experience in to a book.

  23. I’ve used a crochet hook to try to poke out corners, but I never would have thought to use the hook to help turn a project rightside out. Thanks for the hint!

  24. I liked that Sian was able to use other craft books to learn the skills necessary to create her own entirely new and unique stuffed animal patterns.

  25. I’ve learned that I really really want to make the dachshund shown on the front cover of the book!!!!

  29. I never would have thought to use a crochet hook to turn the fabric right side out! The pictures of her work are absolutely adorable!!!

  31. Great interview! It was really nice that Sian took extra note of visual learners. It is hard sometimes to take in information given verbally so the extra care given in the book with pictures etc, it’s an awesome book for us visual learners. Can’t wait to make my own loveable little dacshund puppy!

    Thank you for a super giveaway and the chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

  34. I love her suggestion about using crochet hooks to turn the animals right side out and to help with stuffing them. I never would have thought to do that. Now I have a good excuse to run to the fabric store!

  37. i love dogs and it looks like her book features a few different dogs. i would love to be able to make them!

  38. I love how she said you need to “grab fabric that speaks to you”. I often pass on fabric that ‘speaks’ to me because I don’t have a project in mind for it… oh the projects I could have created! I’m definitely not passing on soul fabric again 🙂

  39. I love the idea of using crochet hooks to turn and stuff the animals. I usually use a chopstick, but the hook would be so much easier.

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