I'll just come out and say it. I love cute, useless tat. I am that person who walks into Paperchase and wants absolutely everything, because there is something inside me that just needs endless piles of adorable things that I really won't use. It's no surprise then, that Cute Dolls by Aranzi Aronzo eventually found it's way into my hands.
Aranzi Aronzo is a chain which sells many many lovely items, most with a charming Japanese aesthetic. I particularly love their stationary range (stationary is my vice). Cute Dolls is a sewing book which shows you how to sew stuffed animals based on the characters that appear on their products. Basically, think Build-A-Bear, except that you make everything yourself. There are a total of 18 dolls to choose from, and all the patterns are included within the book. There is a great variety to choose from, whether you love the chilled out Panda, the kooky Alien, or even the shifty Liar.
If you are thinking about starting to sew, but are scared to start off with a more challenging item of clothing, yet at the same time want to make something a bit more fun than a cushion, this book would be a great place to start. There aren't any difficult techniques involved to make the dolls, but it still gets you practising the basic skills e.g. pattern cutting, using a sewing machine, sewing curves, seam allowances, sewing on knit fabric e.t.c, which is great before moving on to bigger things.
The patterns are also super easy to customise. Want to make a cat that looks like your pet cat? Easily done, simply choose the right coloured fabric, appliqué a face, and sew a suitable outfit, and your doll is one of a kind. These would make really fun gifts for kids too (and, er, people in their early 20s), especially if you customise the doll in some way.
What are your favourite craft books?
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