Do you want to buy a unique soft toy? 

If you’re looking for a custom toy – why don’t you take a look at our featured home sewing businesses? We are highlighting toy-makers who sew F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S Funky Friends toys AND who also support the independent designer community by giving pattern credits on their websites and social media posts! 💗 

 

Today we are highlighting…

 

Hayley Sayers and her business ~>

Soft Federation.

Not only does Haley sew BEAUTIFUL Funky Friends toys…

she sews them COMPLETELY by hand!!!

 

AND… I love the attention to detail that Haley puts into each keepsake toy she makes!

 

Let’s find out a little more!

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am an ordinary 39 year old mum of one. I work full time in a factory during the day and spend my evenings sewing bears for other people to treasure. And I LOVE IT!!! Funky Friends Factory patterns make me smile and I don’t think i’d have made it through lockdowns and shielding without them. They’ve kept me sane! (Well almost haha!).  

 

How did your Keepsake business come to be?

My keepsake business (Soft Federation ) started because of lockdown. I had to shield as I am classed as extremely vulnerable. I found myself with an awful lot of time on my hands and decided to try and sew a softie for my partner as a cute surprise. It had been a long time since I had last sewn anything but once I started I was hooked. I retrieved some of my Funky Friends Factory patterns from my sewing supplies that I’d bought over the years and just started making more and more. Soon I realised my house would soon fill up with softies if I didn’t do something about them. So I thought that sewing keepsake & memory bears for others to treasure their memories of special and celebratory occasions, or to remember a lost loved one or pet would be a lovely way to get my sewing fix and give people a huggable memory made from their own fabrics and items of clothing! (Also I don’t have to move house to make room for all the bears! ha ha ha).  The thought that I can make people smile, and really feel those memories, makes me smile.

 

What do you love the most about your keepsake business?

I love not knowing what kinds of items I’m going to receive to turn into a bear.  Also I just love being able to help others enjoy their memories in a soft and cuddly way that is 100% handmade (as you know I hand sew everything) and just as unique as their memories are.

 

What is the most special keepsake you’ve made?

I recently made a memory bear for a friend to remember her mum who she sadly lost this year. It was a pretty bear in pinks and lilacs (her favourite colours) and she was very happy to see the cute little face when she opened the box (I don’t usually get to see this part so it was extra special).

What other customized items do you offer?

I offer additions to the bears, such as a satin bow for the head or around the neck (or both) in various colour options. I also offer personalisation such as names, dates or a special message/verse provided via iron-on vinyl lettering. For example: I recently made a 20th Wedding Anniversary keepsake bear. 

 

I made an extra little heart cushion with “Happy 20th Anniversary” lettering on it and sewed it in between the bear’s front paws so that he was holding it. It looked very sweet.

 

 I’m planning on adding veils soon too.

As you can tell – I highly recommend Soft Federation!!!

If you want to buy a Memory Bear or custom Soft Toy – please get in touch with Haley (Soft Federation) and she can sew a Funky Friend for you (if you can’t sew one yourself using my toy patterns!)

 

Do you want us to feature the Funky Friends toys you sell?

This Q&A series is my way of saying THANK YOU to Funky Friends Factory fans who not only sew fabulous Funky Friends toys but ALSO support the independent designer community by giving pattern credits on their websites and social media posts!  If you tag your social media posts with #funkyfriendsfactory  – we can find your posts… and who knows, maybe our next featured Super Softie Seller could be be YOU!!!! 

 

 

 

I can’t wait to see YOUR Funky Friends toys for sale!

 

Till next time,
Happy sewing,

Pauline