Hi guys, I started a new make today and got to thinking about the whole process and thought maybe you would like to follow along. I'm not promising a series or anything (I'm sure to get bored and wander off into something else) but thought it might be fun to document some of the stages..... 
I always start with the head, I guess it is the bit that holds the personality and it is the bit that (hopefully) makes a toy recognisable. This is Head 1, a compilation of heads past, a very basic 3 piece, as you can see the nose area was a disaster.
Front on, I quite like the curve in the lower part of the antler, but that's about it so its time to move on to another head - and yes that's an ugly ear, there's no denying it. I usually don't expect to be even close until about head 5 or 6 so don't stress-
I made a new head with two antlers and ears, pin eyes and some drawn on features....hmmm, its a little chunky isn't it? I usually do all my toy making with sheets. Locally I can buy them quite cheap so I never feel bad about how many botched attempts I make- oh and they must be white - colours confuse me at this point, I really just want to look at shapes and if I use coloured fabric I get a bit stuck on the colour . (anal or what?) Does it look like a toddler to you? The pins are like instant plastic surgery, a little nip here , a little tuck there.
Oh dear - this toy has mumps....That under chin area is waaay too chunky. I also changed the back by adding a centre back seam so I could get a bit more roundness but then had to pull in the base of the neck so it looked less stump like. I have also decided the antlers can't be sewn into the seam- way too difficult and weird and floppy......felt ???? Maybe not, these were hard enough to turn as it was.
Head 3What ??? Is anyone else seeing a unicorn here? Lets hope its a combination of bad angle and pins in the forehead... That weird under chin wrinkle is caused by a pin I promise.
OK - I am much happier with the line on the nose area (although I have pinned away a bit more on the chin as you can see) Also my tweaks previously led to some weird blobby forehead thing so I have pinned that as well. Not sure about the line of that side seam.... maybe I need to add a bit to the back and take some from the front to even it up. That will become important once I decide what kind of body I'm making.Hopefully there will be some after-work-time for another head tomorrow. Look at the back of the head - too round ? Maybe I need it flatter after all - and then maybe to flare out a little at the base...
(its a long and winding road folks)
I think that was a very interesting post. I love watching your process - I would have no idea how to get started at all! Thank goodness we all have different strengths, eh?
ReplyDeleteAhem, what is wrong with unicorns, eh? If you get unicorn head, make a unicorn... of course then you'd have to start again with the reindeer, but still, a unicorn could be fun.
ReplyDeleteI've still got about 10 metres of calico from Ikea cos it was cheap and I wanted to make an 18th century gents coat... ahem, which still hasn't even been started.
My hopes are more ambitious than my actual abilities...not for the first time either... sigh!
You could do a five-headed reindeer if you end up with five heads...Teach Santa to move near a radioactive area...!
Double-weight felt antlers - without any of that turning malarkey?
ReplyDeletePS. That personality bizzo has already begun to shine on through...
Hi, I normally lurk but I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed this post. I'm making my son a "Knuffle Bunny" for Christmas and got started last night. I'm on head 4 and ready to call it good enough because I'm just not as skilled at manipulating my patterns as you and I'm a little impatient as well. But I enjoyed seeing some of your process. This might give me to the courage to go one more round.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tania, maybe using some sort of stiffener.
ReplyDeleteCaution: Artist At Work.
ReplyDeleteFascinating post. It's a long time since I stitched a soft toy of any kind, and the only time I ever designed my own it took positively aeons to get the shape right. Looking forward to seeing your reindeer evolve :D
ReplyDeleteWV seems perculiarly apt ... heditis!
Thank you for that interesting feature. There's a lesson there for me, as I tend to create something and plough on regardless, never patient enough to try and improve it...
ReplyDeleteCool! Love seeing work in process! Thanks :)
ReplyDeletefascinating!
ReplyDeleteI love finding out about people's skills ~ bring it on ~ you are a master toy maker.
ReplyDeleteLOVED this post, The thought process is very interesting, I love seeing how people work. Have a very Merry Christmas Jodie.
ReplyDeleteYou are so much more patient than I could ever be, Jod;my project would be binned if Head 1 wasn't perfect. Great post; so interesting to see the evolution of the perfect softie.
ReplyDeleteCool! I don't think that the back of the head is too round, I mean a real animals don't have flat heads.. I'm wondering though, what do you do with all the other heads?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your process - its fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jan - I'm not as patient as you by a long shot! Your finished products are always so fantastic though, so I guess that should be a lesson for me. I think that the antlers look great, but double felt would also be effective, provided it stands up and doesn't go all floppy.
Great post, I would Iike to book in for some of your nick and tuck surgery.
ReplyDeleteTFS the process, makes me feel a tad better to know that I'm not the only one who spends hours on design. I could be encourage to stick with it rather than chuck them in the bin. Look forward to the end result. Take care
ReplyDeleteI think you are doing really well for the third head draft. It's great to see the process too
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is WOWEE! The whole 3D thing scared the bejeezus out of me. You are amazing my dear.
ReplyDeleteand what masterful toys you make! love this post.
ReplyDeletelove seeing this thanks heaps
ReplyDeleteFantastic! Love the voodoo approach to facelift.
ReplyDeleteI really liked to see your process. I have been working on a camel head adapted from a teddybear pattern....Nearly right now all that is left to do is scale it up to life size. I like the idea of using cheap sheets to practice on. Thanks for the crative journey
ReplyDeleteGreat to see your creative process in making your toys. Thankyou so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhen you said felt, I thought YES! But when you said turning was difficult, I said NO NO NO! Just felt. Nice, thick, stiff felt.
ReplyDeleteOh Jodes, you're making my head hurt!
ReplyDeleteOkay Abbe, put the pun gun down and step away....
Ohh, I can't wait to see what it is...
ReplyDeleteYou are too clever Jodie! I would just give up on the first head - but having made your delightful toys I'm really pleased you continue to modify until they are as perfect as they turn out to be - personalities included! Lucy x
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks for the insight. I'll stay tuned.
ReplyDeleteOh! This is a serious post. Hahaha -- when I started to read, the first picture was positioned just at the bottom of the window so that only part of the head was showing. From that view, it looked a bit like a pig and it flashed through me that you'd be posting about putting body parts where they don't belong -- such as, a deer antler for a pig tail.
ReplyDeleteAhem.
A wonderful post after all -- loved getting a glimpse into your world!
I love your process. I'm not patient enough to go through so many itterations to get it just right. If I may, though? I think the ears need to be bigger.
ReplyDeleteWow! You're a very patient person! I think I would have given up by 2 or 3 attempts, but then I wouldn't have little animals looking as perfectly wonderful as yours always do...and I don't!
ReplyDelete