This month’s Island Batik challenge is featuring soft toys from the Funky Friends Factory. There are puppies, baby dolls, sea life, farm life and mythical creatures who are sure to please our pickiest little ones.

Some of the products featured on this site were provided to me free of charge by Island Batik, Hobbs Batting, Aurifil , AccuQuilt, ByAnnie and Schmetz Needles.

Challenge guidelines

Guidelines:

• Project Type: Soft toy
• Any fabric
• Post any day in April

Pauline McArthur from Funky Friends Factory generously supplied the Ambassadors with the soft toy pattern of their choice. If you are reading this Miss Pauline, thank you so much.

Shelby (aka John) the Sock Monkey

Taken from the Funky Friends Factory site.

Shelby NO SOCK Sock Monkey INSTANT DOWNLOAD Sewing Pattern PDF

Finished Toy Size: 15½”/40cm
Sheby LOOKS like a traditional sock monkey BUT is designed to be made from fabric.
WHY? Mainly because I didn’t have nice enough socks BUT I have some super cute sock monkey fabrics!
This easy pattern looks awesome made up in spots, stripes, plain solids and prints – so have a bit of fun monkeying around with this pattern!

Construction

I pulled the green, yellow, white and black solids from the Island Batik Foundations collection. Uncertain about the red as it no longer had a sticker.

The instructions were clear and easy to follow which made me happy because I normally don’t make anything that has a pattern.

For the tail the directions tell you to stitch on the paper then turn your tail right side out.

Loki found the whole process very interesting, he is not a very good boss though because he has no patience.

You stitch the head, hands, feet and tail to the body then run a stitch all the way around. Your opening is left in the back by the tail. Make sure when adding the tail it comes out on the right side of the fabric. Opps, yes I had to do some un-stitching because I wasn’t paying attention.

Wesley’s No Sock Sock Monkey John was so easy and came together very quick. In this photo I am using Aurifil Thread 50wt and Schmetz Needle Microtex Sharp Chrome. The thread I purchased from fellow IBA MaryMackMadeMine.

A straight stitch (several) for the smile using Aurifil 40wt black on my machine.

This was my first time using safety eyes and if you can tell my why there is a crease between the eyes I would appreciate it. He is a little over stuffed and did not like sitting, time to move the filling around and close him up.

Hobbs has a Poly-Down Fiberfill that I love to use for stuffing pillows and bears. You can find more info for it here. I think I purchased mine from the Fat Quarter Shop.

The face says it all.

I loved the whole process of making my Funky Friend John. Why John? We live in John Deere country. Maybe it’s time to make the sloth.

Thank you Island Batik, Funky Friends Factory, Aurifil Thread, Schmetz Needles and Hobbs batting for making excellent quilting products.