The Art of Toy Making
So, how sweet is this little guy? I am honored to collaborate with Mill Yardage to offer some of the cutest designs ever! I have been given a few yards of several different types of fleece and my challenge is to come up with a design, specifically, for each type of fabric! How cool is that? It is my plan to offer a new design each month and to have the pattern available for you all to run to Mill Yardage and order your fleece, then whip up a few of your own little creatures! Of course if you need help, I will be here... and you can help me, by telling me where things are not exactly working for you. It is one thing to design batches of lovable toys, but quite another to communicate exactly how other people can make those same toys easily, and with as much fun as I had designing them!
I know, bats are traditionally depicted as being black... and I was given some black fabric. You know me well enough by now though to know that I like to give things a different twist. I thought I would prefer this little guy in this delicious tan rather than the predictable bat. If you are much attached to the idea of your bat being black, simply order black fabric instead of tan from the Mill Yardage site.
Mill Yardage offers a wide variety of different fleeces in different colors and textures. Obviously, I just cannot say enough about Polartec brand fleeces. I have made over a thousand toys by hand and have used all kinds of fabrics in their making. I love cottons and wool but have such a difficult time sourcing recycled pieces. The Polartec fleece I use for my handmade crew is made from recycled fibers, and I love that! I also love how easy it is to work with, how durable it is, and how easily I can dye it. I have only good to say about Mill Yardage as well. I have been working with them for almost four years and they have gone out of their way to provide me with the fabrics I need, when I need them (even when they have been on vacation- thank you KK!!!).
WELL, do you think you are ready to give this little bat baby pattern a try? I hope that you make some lovely little batties and share photos with me... AND have great fun doing it! Nothing is quite as nice as a handmade toy!
CLICK HERE if you would like to download the pattern!
CLICK HERE if you would like to order this exact fleece!
CLICK HERE if you would like to order safety eyes!