The heart and soul of Shiny Happy World is in the archives. There are hundreds of free patterns and tutorials and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the information. Every Friday I share just a manageable sliver – a peek at what was happening during the same week of every year since the start of Shiny Happy World. This is Week 42.
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Click on the images to go to the posts.
2011
Stacey wrote this excellent post with tips for choosing the best crochet hook for you. If you’re curious, I like a hook with an inline throat and a thumb rest. If you’re confused by any of those terms, the post has a link to another post that explains all the different kind of crochets hooks there are. Handy!
2012
I have very few quilt patterns that don’t use applique – this is one of them. I designed it to be especially easy, with no seams to match up. Yay! I really hate matching seams. 😂
2013
If you have a kid who’s interested in sewing – this is the post for you. There’s a video of my daughter (age 11 at the time) teaching kids to use a sewing machine. They’ll learn how a sewing machine works, how to sew wavy, straight, and parallel lines, how to use decorative stitches, how to turn corners, and more – and then they’ll use a free pattern to turn all their practice fabric into awesome original snakes. It’s loads of fun and a great way for kids to get a feel for how a sewing machine works.
2014
This is a free pattern for a very easy doll-sized quilt. It’s perfect for the Dress Up Bunch rag dolls, but it also works for American Girl dolls and loads of stuffed animals.
2015
Make an adorable stuffed dog with floppy ears and long, floppy arms and legs.
2016
Make a pirate costume for your Dress Up Bunch dolls! The pattern includes the shorts, shirt, eye patch, bandana, and trick-or-treat bag with skull and crossbones applique!
2017
I have two different monster quilt patterns – Scary Squares and the Mix & Match Monsters. This post explains the difference between the two patterns and has some tips for choosing which is right for you.
2018
This workshop took me forever to create and I’m super proud of it. It’s all felt applique and embroidery and there are videos showing how to do all the different embroidered hills without doing any marking.
2019
October is for monsters! You can add this silly Yeti to either of my monster quilt patterns.
2020
Another monster you can add to any quilt! I especially like this guy made in gray fabrics. He looks like a gargoyle!
2021
Use this pattern to make just about any raptor – eagles, hawks, falcons, kites, and more.
2022
I designed a fun mini fabric collection with these lions.
2023
Inspired by a seagull who stole an entire croissant right out of my hand in Vancouver – this is a very fun pattern to make!