The theme for the newest issue of One Thimble magazine is ‘Urban Jungle’. There are 12 PDF patterns included in the issue as well as 26 articles, all for $25 AUD (so if you’re in the US it will be much less!) The articles range from regular features such as a gift guide featuring items handmade in Australia (while keeping them related to the theme) to articles on sewing techniques and tutorials. As a bonus there are also exclusive discount codes included!
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Each of the patterns included in the issue* have beautiful photos showcasing the pattern using the Urban Jungle theme.
What caught my eye most about this issue was how well so many of the patterns seem to complement one another. The toys and accessories are all animal related (baby shoes, baby quilt, cross-stitch wall art, FMA, and the two toy patterns).
One of the articles that interested me was one on sewing with laminated cotton. Laminated cotton is similar but not the same as oilcloth which I’ve used before. I haven’t tried laminated cotton yet and have been interested in trying it out however from what I’ve seen it’s not as inexpensive as oilcloth. There are lots of good tips for sewing with it as well as links to tutorials that I need to try.
The Hood Creature free motion appliqué (or FMA) pattern included in this issue is super cute and is a perfect match with the hoodie pattern. I’ve used one of the designer’s (StitchART by Jeanine) other FMA patterns in a pair of PJ’s I sewed up for my oldest daughter recently. You can check it out >>HERE<<, it’s really cute. Free motion appliqué is super fun and fairly easy to do, I will be for sure stitching up one of the hood creatures soon.
Felt 3D Animal Puzzle by Felt With Love Designs
No surprise to those that know me, but I really wanted to sew these up. I love felt and I have a fairly good size stash of wool felt on hand, although my colour choices are somewhat limited at the moment.
Included in the pattern are templates for a giraffe, elephant, rhinoceros, octopus, unicorn, turtle, lion and alligator. Since I didn’t want to use the same colour felt for more than one animal (to make it possibly easier for my 2.5 year old, although maybe she’d have been fine), I made just the elephant, octopus, unicorn, turtle and alligator.
As expected the 6-year-old, Silly Bean, claimed the unicorn for herself, which was fine because the octopus was Miss V’s favourite. They liked them so much in fact that they actually slept with them the first night!
These were fun to make and not too difficult. There are three layers of felt and in between Heat’n Bond
Interested in seeing more from Felt With Love Designs? You can see the other patterns of theirs that I have sewn up HERE and HERE.
The Felt 3D Animal Puzzle was Felt With Love Designs’ contribution to the magazine. You can purchase this pattern separately for $3 AUD >>HERE*<< or it is included with the purchase of the magazine.
*****
Roly Poly Critters by Swoodson Says
These are just soooo cute, I couldn’t resist making one. The sloth is adorable so that was the first one I wanted to sew. The fabric suggestions for Roly Poly Critters are to use felt or fleece but I’ve seen some versions using different fabrics that are super cute too. For mine I decided to stick with the fabric suggestions and made it out of felt.
I didn’t have any safety eyes or noses on hand and didn’t know where to buy them locally and with no time to wait for an order to arrive I decided to cut out eye and nose shapes from felt and sew those on. I need to work a little more on sewing around the small curves to make the stitching neater but otherwise it was a pretty quick sew. About 1.5 hours from cut to finish including interruptions from Miss V.
SO SO cute. These will make fun baby gifts. My only wish is that there had been overlap with the animals between these and the baby quilts*. But I guess I could try hacking one of the critters into a bunny! They would make a cute set to give at a baby shower.
I have made many of Swoodson Says’ patterns before. You can see the ones I’ve blogged HERE and HERE, and read an interview with Stephanie of Swoodson Says HERE.
The Roly Poly Critters can be purchased separately for $7 AUD >>HERE*<< or get it with the purchase of the magazine.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR COPY OF ISSUE 11 NOW*
For more One Thimble inspiration, check out the rest of the tour stops below:
