around the edge, leaving a 4cm (1^11 ⁄ 2 in)
opening along a straight edge. Trim
the seam allowance, clip the curves
and turn it right side out. Fold in the
edges of the opening and press it fl at.32Sew pompom trim around
the edge of the blanket, closing
the opening at the same time. Put the
blanket on the alpaca’s back and tack
it in place to keep it secure.SITTING ALPACA33With right sides together, sew
a foot shape to each body and
body gusset shape where indicated
on the pattern. Clip into the seam
allowance of the body and gussets
where the front foot attaches to help
ease the fabric around the curve.
Press the seam towards the foot.34With right sides together, sew
the body gussets along the top
edge between the A and B circles,
leaving an opening where indicated
on the pattern.35Sew one side of the body gusset
Sitting alpaca to the body, right sides together
Step 34
02PROJECTANTHEA
CHRISTIAN
How long have you been creating softies?
I have been creating softies for around
seven years now.
Do you like to work in a variety of styles and
subjects with your toys?I don’t like to limit
myself to any particular style or subject. I just
make whatever I feel like doing at the time.
Ever had any design/sewing softie calamities- a puppy that turned into a porpoise or a
frog destined for the dustbin rather than the
pond?Oh, yes! This happens all the time. For
example, when making this project, one of
my alpaca prototypes ended up resembling a
seal. (It might come in handy for a future seal
project!) In the process of just about every
project, I end up making a softie that looks
like a different animal to the one intended.
I keep them all for future project ideas.
What’s the strangest softie or doll you’ve
ever made? My son requested an Oshawott
softie once. He is into Pokémon, and
Oshawott is one of the characters. I created
it from a drawing my son did. It’s a very
strange looking character.
Have there been any finished softies you
simply couldn’t part with? I’m not really that
sentimental about my softies. However, my
kids are a dif erent story. They quite often
claim my very strange looking prototype
rejects and think they’re beautiful.
How many softies do you think you’ve made
over the years? I currently have 11 softie
patterns for sale, but I have made dozens
more than that over the years for gifts and
the occasional market that I’ve done.
Are you someone who needs to work on
several projects at once or do you prefer
to see one project through before starting
another? I can have a couple of projects on
the go at once, but any more than that and
I seem to go around in circles, not knowing
where to start. I do prefer to finish one before
starting another, but it’s not always possible.
Is this your full-time occupation? I wish!
Unfortunately, I don’t make enough income
from my softies to support me, but I would
love to be able to work on it full-time one
day. At the moment, I also work an office
administration job at an accounting firm.
Were you professionally trained in stitching
and craft or are you self-taught? Self-taught.
You can learn anything and everything by
Googling! And nothing beats trial and error.
Were your early attempts creatively and
technically successful right from the word
go? I’m thankful that my early designs were
successful, as that has encouraged me to keep
on designing. And, over the years, I’ve gained
more experience and learnt new techniques,
which has helped increase their success.Get ing to know ...Step 35