More Felt Friends from Japan

Book excerpt: In this charming follow-up to her popular Felt Friends from Japan, Naomi Tabatha shares 80 projects that anyone can make using only felt and a needle-and-thread. Here are soft toys and dolls, adorable outfits to dress them in, and a variety of useful and attractive accessories and decorative household items, all reflecting the retro style that Tabatha remembers from her childhood in Japan in the 1960s and 1970s. More Felt Friends from Japan opens by introducing a zoo-ful of animals (Chimpanzee, Giraffe, Lion, Hippo, Anteater, Elephant, Zebra, Capybara); and then presents an adorable Kitty, ready to go shopping and dress up. Readers also meet Kitty’s friends—Piggy, Bear, Dog, and Monkey—and will have a chance to fashion costumes for them as well. Tabatha even shows readers how to turn these clever creatures into hand puppets. After fun with of couple of precious pooches, it’s time for Nostalgic Posing Dolls named Ruru, Lili, Lala-chan, and a lovely little Fawn. In the Accessories section, Tabatha includes Hanging Charms (beaded strands with little figures such as birds, cats, fish, frogs, and cookies); Fun Coasters in the shapes of a frog, a fish, and a chick; Eyeglass Cases; and Pouches. There are small and large tote bags, each with an appealing animal appliqué; and an assortment of brooches shaped like the faces of favorites like a koala, a piglet, a panda, a pug, and more. Every project features clear, step-by-step instructions accompanied by beautiful full-color photographs and cut-out patterns. Plus, an explanatory section covers the basic stitches and techniques used. Everything is hand-stitched—no sewing machines, tools, or intricate steps are required. Simple enough for crafters ranging in age from about ten years old to adult, More Felt Friends from Japan is sure to please anyone who loves creating cute things from felt.