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Steampunk Softies: Scientifically-Minded Dolls From A Past That Never Was (2011)

by Nicola Tedman(Favorite Author)

3.69 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

1449406009 (ISBN13: 9781449406004)

languge

English

genre

Science Fiction

publisher

Andrews McMeel Publishing

review 1: Steampunk Softies is by the same authors as Zombie Felties, Sarah Skeate and Nicola Tedman.Softies are a bit bigger than felties, but use a lot of the same techniques for construction, and can be hand sewn.The book starts with an introduction to the materials that are used to construct the dolls, as well as some fantastic tutorials for aging and distressing the fabrics.The dolls are just wonderful. Most stand about 6 inches high, and the props and construction methods are very clever. The materials are for the most part, very easy to find, and some of the supplies are things you might normally throw away. The diminutive scale of the dolls makes them perfect for small scraps of fabric and leather. Mini brads, scraps of leather, plastic from deli containers, beads, buttons a... morend toy compasses are all used in the detail of these lovely little dolls.The dolls themselves are fantastic. Fantastic in the literal sense that they are creative fantasies. A little undersea manikin looks like he mutated or was genetically created to live in the water, Floyd Fastknight explores the world with a compass for an eye and a case of maps. Chasity Storm is dressed in a cloud of lace and has wings that are reminiscent of the very first airplanes.All the patterns are in the back of the book and full size, you trace them from the book on to a sheet of paper to cut out the parts for the dolls. Some of the dolls are very simple, the biggest challenge is the scale. Some are a lot more complex. These are not playthings, they are lovely little works of art. The techniques and the accessories used in making them can inspire your own characters and creations very easily.My son is a big steampunk fan, and he was absolutely charmed by this book. My daughter, who is the serious doll maker in the family loved the techniques and pattern ideas.
review 2: Steampunk is pushing into more and more areas. While crafting has long been a pillar of community activities, I have thus far encountered little regarding toys. Maybe because comparatively few of us actually have children or children who still want toys.Anyway, I hold in my hands a book which tackles exactly this thus far white spot on the Steampunk map: Toys.The book in question: Steampunk Softies: Scientifically-Minded Dolls from a Past That Never Was.This is not a real review. In order to review Steampunk Softies, I should first make one of the characters. I will post a full review once I had the time to make one.Steampunk Softies is a thin tome on how to create eight unique steampunk characters as soft toys. Where shall I begin. Everything about this little book is so great.Every little character has her or his little history, each one is beautifully detailed and each one is easy enough to stitch together. You do not need to be an accomplished tinkerer, toymaker or seamstress to assemble one of the softies.The instructions are also given via neat little illustrations guiding you through every step of the process of creating a steampunk softie. For each character, a detailed list of the required parts is given, which can be quite lengthy, let me tell you. But fear not! The authors also make it quite clear that their instructions are only guidelines. If you do not have all the parts for their version of the softies, never mind! Be creative and create your own version of the respective Steampunk Softie Character.The book also provides various techniques for ageing fabrics to give the steampunk softies the kind of look you would expect from a toy coming to you from Victorian times.And you can gradually improve your skills by working through the book. The softies are, according to the authors, roughly ordered by complexity. Tompion Zeitgeist is really easy, Ferris Scapula is more of a challenge.All in all, I think Steampunk Softies: Scientifically-Minded Dolls from a Past That Never Was is a wonderful little book and the characters in there are the perfect way to introduce Steampunk to your children. This, obviously, is quite a bonus in my eyes and I hope I get round to making a Steampunk Softie for my son. less

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