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).
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
Photo: Jen Korff
Photo: Jen Korff
Photo: Sian Keegan
Photo: Sian KeeganGiveaway!
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.)
39 comments
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.
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
Using a crochet hook for turning and stuffing is a great idea!
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…..
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?
I agree with her suggestion on getting a very sharp scissor and not using it for anything else
I learned she uses a crochet hook to turn and stuff pieces. Never thought of that! Genious! Thanks!
I would recommend the correct needles and thank out side of the box for fabrics…….
Crochet hooks are a great idea. I have some but never thought to use them like that!
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!
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.
Hello,such neat projects!
Love the ‘crochet uses’!
Thanks for sharing!
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.
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.
I have tons of crochet hooks – glad to know I can put them to another use!
She’s working on patterns for more cuddly and soft animals now.
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!
I love her advice to buy fabric that speaks to you when you see it. The crochet hook suggestion is awesome.
I really liked the tip about scissors and the crochet hooks.
smjohns63 at yahoo dot com
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
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
I thought it was neat that Sian made custom animals for years. How cool to roll that experience in to a book.
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!
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.
I’ve learned that I really really want to make the dachshund shown on the front cover of the book!!!!
Great idea to use crochet hooks to push out those ends! This book seems so darn cute!!!
I learned that crochet hooks are super helpful with turning things inside out
I learned that she uses a crochet hook for stuffing.
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!!!
A crochet hook for turning and stuffing? Brilliant idea!
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
I love grabbing materials that “speak to me” I think this book would be well loved in my home!
She’s working on more patterns, Hooray!
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!
Crochet hooks for turning out, what a great idea!
She loves seeing oddly shaped pieces of fabric come together the make a 3D form.
i love dogs and it looks like her book features a few different dogs. i would love to be able to make them!
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 🙂
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.