Book Review:

The Woman’s Day Book of Soft Toys & Dolls  by Joan Russell is one of my favorite pattern books for making old fashioned dolls and soft animals. It is 253 pages and contains full size patterns and complete step-by-step instructions for making close to 80 toys and dolls.

The patterns were originally printed in Woman’s Day magazine and collected into a book and published in 1963 by Fireside Books.  The book was then updated nearly every year until at least 1975 with additional patterns.

Many of the patterns are in sets. Those sets include: Noah, his wife, his ark and a whole array of animals, Mad Tea Party complete with Alice and friends, Mother Goose dolls, Little women–all four dolls with wardrobe and trunks, Forest Animals, Dogs, Cats and some International and Ethnic dolls.

I find the patterns easy to use and fun. I’ve especially enjoyed the Alice’s Tea Party group. I’ve made this group several times.

You can often find this book on Ebay and it isn’t normally very expensive.