Woohoo! This could be one of the most creative collections of Maker of the Month entries ever! The May 2023 entries showed sewers getting ready for June weddings by posting wedding bear keepsakes…and even a wedding keepsake horse! Butterflies, ladybugs, and reptiles make up some of the “non-bear” toys this month, plus there’s a royal coronation keepsake, two different toys made from an upcycled curtains, and even a bear with a photo printed on the tummy! Read down to the end of the post to find out who won.

Let’s take a look…

We ‘lift’ off with two beautiful versions of Belinda Butterfly. Mama’s Kreatives & Designs sewed this cute keepsake using a hospital receiving blanket.

Here is the very happy new owner!

 

Look how cleverly they used the large wing space on Belinda Butterfly! 
.

 

And Susan Fowler made this Belinda Butterfly for her mother because her favorite hymn contains butterfly and cocoon imagery.

Click HERE to purchase the Butterfly Sewing Pattern

 

 

Lily Ladybug is another pattern that makes a delightful keepsake or gift. Lisa Nelson of Sewn 4 You Memory Keepsakes used the multiple layers of wings on Lily to show off some Cuddle fabric from Shannon Fabrics, but you could also use this space to showcase tons of tiny baby clothes or other special fabrics.

 

And Akirvi Fassa made this Super-sized version Lily Ladybug at 141% as a gift for a birthday party. What an unforgettable surprise for the birthday kid!

Click HERE to purchase the Ladybug pattern.

 

 

 

TIP: Want to know HOW to re-size a toy pattern?

If you want to know how to make enlarge a pattern  to make a BIGGER toy (or how to ‘shrink’ (reduce)  to make a smaller toy – check out the “How to resize a toy pattern” blog post HERE.

 

In this post you will find:

How to ENLARGE or REDUCE a pattern.

How to make an EXACT SIZE toy ( a simple formula).

How to PRINT an enlarged pattern at home (poster print option).

 

 

 

 

If you’re in the mood for some colorful sewing, Coco Chameleon is a great project. I love how the Tule Pink fabric used by Jennifer F. looks on this pattern. She made a custom felt, baby-safe eye design for Coco, too.

 

 

Here’s another colorful interpretation of Coco Chameleon, sewn by Cook’s Curious Crafts. I love the big insect on the side, and this pattern has lots of space for fun fabric choices like that. Coco also comes with her own felt “snacks” in the pattern, like this flower shape on her tongue.

 

 

And this cuddly Coco Chameleon was sewn by Lisa Nelson of Sewn 4 You Memory Keepsakes using a gorgeous embossed & tie-dye colored Luxe Cuddle® from Shannon Fabrics called Sorbet Blue Glow. Sounds yummy! Coco is enjoying a felt moth here.

Click HERE to purchase the Chameleon pattern.

 

 

The Igor Iguana pattern never fails to make a show-stopper of a toy. I love the 80s fabric print and colors on this version of Igor sewn by Jonell Hart.

 

Lisa Nelson of Sewn 4 You Memory Keepsakes made this fluffy  version of Igor Iguana, I hardly ever see Igor in fluffy fabric and he looks super snuggly (for a reptile!).

Click HERE to purchase the Iguana pattern.

 

 

Ruth Fromm spent some special time with her grandson sewing a purple Prince Charming Frog – looks like he had a FUN day sewing with his gran!  

Click HERE to purchase the Prince Charming Frog Pattern

 

 

This happy Heather Hippo toy was sewn in Tula Pink’s Everglow fabric range…

 

Look at those luscious eyelashes!!!💗

 

Click HERE to buy the HIPPO pattern.

 

 

Maria Parker sewed this Winsome Wolf for her granddaughter in a galaxy print. She named her wonderful wolf Luna! Luna looks like a keeper! 

Click HERE to purchase the Wolf pattern.

 

 

Ginny Murphy has sewn some gorgeous gifts this month using the Horsey Horse and Unix Unicorn Pattern. She sewed this romping rainbow Unix Unicorn for her great neice…. 

 

AND Ginny also sewed this amazing horse-replica as a commemorative toy for her niece who was getting married in May. She is an accomplished horse rider and the ceremony is at a venue in a forest which is horse-friendly; her horse will be joining the guests on the big day!🐴

Click HERE to purchase the Horse Pattern

 

 

 

 

This cute Puppy Dog Pete keepsake was sewn by Emma Boulton, who says she likes to sew the pattern at 130% because the puppy stands up so nicely at that size!

Click HERE to buy the Puppy Dog pattern.

 

 

Larry Lion also makes a cute keepsake toy. This adorable, upcycled toy Lion was sewn by Carla Swinburn, who used baby clothes for this baby lion!

 

Did you spot the cute hedgehog, specially placed on Larry’s paw?

Click HERE to buy the LION pattern.

 

 

We had lots of cute toys sewn from our memory bear patterns this month!

This Melody Memory Bear was sewn by Jo Astbury in honour of King Charles’s coronation! Doesn’t Melody look rivetingly regal in her golden crown?

 

 

Getting ready for a June wedding? Here are some ideas for keepsakes from the ceremony, for both brides and grooms. For a bride bear, gather some netting together at the top of the head to make a veil. This Melody Memory Bear was sewn by Kellie Hollis using a wedding dress.

Click HERE to purchase the Melody Memory Bear Pattern.

 

 

 

Add a collar and tie to a toy to make a keepsake for a groom, father-of-the bride, or ring-bearer. This Calico Signature Bear was sewn by Julie Holmes from a groom’s wedding outfit.

Click HERE to purchase the Signature Bear pattern.

 

 

Another great option for a groom bear is Buttons the Best Dressed Bear. This BEST DRESSED Bear sewn by Michelle Tyler looks very dapper in his checked shirt and cuffs! You can choose how “dressed up” you want Buttons to be: his waistcoat, bow tie, collar, and cuffs are all optional and can be used in any combination.

 

 

And this cute fluffy Buttons BEST DRESSED Bear was sewn by Freya Kenafake from a sherpa blanket, a bed sheet and a curtain! Buttons is wearing all his accessories here, so that is some fabulous upcycling in action.

 

Click HERE to purchase the BEST DRESSED Bear pattern.

 

 

 

Ben the BEGINNER teddy bear pattern  has a large, flat single piece for the tummy. Why is that important? You can fit big designs, t-shirt logos, or other special features on the tummy. This precious memory bear was sewn by Victoria Rascinski, who added a photo. You can buy special printable fabric or photo transfer sheets (at craft stores and online) if you’d like to add a photo to fabric.

 

And Jane Tate made this cute pair of memory bears using the Ben BEGINNER bear pattern. She used some curtains that had a special meaning for a family. 

Click HERE to purchase the BEGINNER teddy bear pattern.

 

AND this month’s winner is…

 

Congrats to this month’s winner Diane Cox who sewed a sweet baby keepsake version of the Digger Dachshund sewing pattern. I love the embroidered ears with the baby’s birth stats – very clever! You can put birth stats or other messages on any large piece of a Funky Friends Factory pattern. I’d love to see embroidery of the long side piece of this pattern some time.

 CONGRATS Diane! You win
a FREE Funky Friends Factory Pattern ~>
of your choice!

 

Click HERE to purchase the Dachshund pattern.

 

Want to win a
FREE toy pattern?

 

It’s so EASY to enter the Pattern GIVEAWAY!

 

ALL you need to do is post a photo of a FUNKY FRIENDS FACTORY toy that you have made on the Funky Friends Factory Facebook Page .

At the end of each month I draw a winner and post the winner’s name on the Blog the following MONTH. I have an Album on Facebook for all the MAKEROFTHEMONTH winners. You can check it out HERE!

 

 

NOT on Facebook? ENTER by email! 😀

*** You can send me your photos by email too!

 

So come on! Share your photos  ~> The next winner could be YOU!!!

.
Till next time,

Happy Sewing,
Pauline
xxx