Cover Image
Cover image property of Taplinger Publishing Co.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • Forward
  • Before You Start
  • Bush Baby
  • Mole
  • Prairie Dog
  • White Mice
  • Baby Seal
  • Mother Sheep and Lamb
  • Mother Duck and Ducklings
  • Dolphin
  • Monkey
  • Rainbow Dolls and Dancing Mice
  • Hungry Bunny
  • Elephants
  • Betsey Beagle and Her Puppies
  • Pretzel People
  • Octopus
  • Finishing the Features

Title: Adventures in Toy-making
Author: Gillian Bradshaw-Smith
Publication Date: Hardcover:1976
Publisher: Taplinger Publishing Co.
Page Count: 128
Book Dimensions(ht. x w.): 10" x 7 1/2"
ISBN: 0800801032

PATTERN RATING: Star Rating. The patterns are fairly simplistic, but at least some attention is given to the details of paws (the mice especially look good) and the dolphin actually has a gusseted mouth, which adds a lot to what would otherwise be a dull toy. The best feature of these patterns I saw was the asymmetry of the elephant legs, which gives them a feeling of motion (a leg on one side is bent to suggest it's being lifted to walk forward). This is a great detail I seldom see that can add a great deal to the appeal of a stuffed toy. The patterns lack seam guides, and the old a-b-c method of marking a pattern for guidance is used. The patterns that need to be enlarged are already on grids to help the crafter.

INSTRUCTION RATING:Star Rating. The pattern instructions are fairly well illustrated and laid out for each project.

SUMMARY- Despite the fact I didn't get any new techniques out of this book, I still liked the quality of her designs, and the choice of details she used to make her designs her own. If I ever need to make mice, it will be hers, and I liked the mole and bushbaby quite a bit for their unusualness. Despite the average ratings, I was happy I bought this book.