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The comic strip Calvin and Hobbes was wildly popular through its run in the papers. Like most people, I've always been a fan, and now my kids are as well. This year for Christmas, I thought a stuffed Hobbes doll would make a great gift for one of my sons.
The artist of the strip, Bill Watterson, refused to allow his characters to be licensed and capitalize on their popularity, feeling that doing so would undermine the integrity of the strip. Despite obvious interest, Calvin and Hobbes merchandise was never available.
Since you can't buy a Hobbes doll, I figured I'd make my own. For anyone interested in duplicating this Hobbes doll, I'm sharing the pattern I came up with for free. It is for personal, non-commercial use only.
My son loves his Hobbes and has been happily dragging him around for weeks. Thanks for taking a look at this. If you make one, please post a photo in the comments!
The artist of the strip, Bill Watterson, refused to allow his characters to be licensed and capitalize on their popularity, feeling that doing so would undermine the integrity of the strip. Despite obvious interest, Calvin and Hobbes merchandise was never available.
Since you can't buy a Hobbes doll, I figured I'd make my own. For anyone interested in duplicating this Hobbes doll, I'm sharing the pattern I came up with for free. It is for personal, non-commercial use only.
My son loves his Hobbes and has been happily dragging him around for weeks. Thanks for taking a look at this. If you make one, please post a photo in the comments!
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Signing UpStep 1Pattern
I spent a while digging through my Calvin and Hobbes books studying the Hobbes character when he was in the stuffed-toy form.
Early versions of Hobbes were very cartoony, and things like the shape of the nose and the number and placement of stripes were not always consistent. His proportions also appear to have changed slightly over the years. Later versions were crisp, clean and very consistent in the features. I based my Hobbes doll off of pictures that appear in the later strips.
To create the pattern, I broke the doll down into separate basic shapes. After some trial and error, I had a pattern that yielded all the needed body parts that fit together to my liking.
This pattern requires creating and stuffing all of the different body parts separately, hand stitching them all in place, and then hand stitching all of the stripes in place individually.
If that wasn't completely clear, this project requires a ton of hand stitching. You've been warned!
Begin by printing out my homemade Hobbes pattern (also attached below), preferably on stiff paper like cardstock.
You will need orange, black, and white fleece, with thread of the same colors. You will also need some polyester stuffing, poly stuffing beads if you want, two black 3/4" plastic buttons, and some thin black cording or yarn.
Early versions of Hobbes were very cartoony, and things like the shape of the nose and the number and placement of stripes were not always consistent. His proportions also appear to have changed slightly over the years. Later versions were crisp, clean and very consistent in the features. I based my Hobbes doll off of pictures that appear in the later strips.
To create the pattern, I broke the doll down into separate basic shapes. After some trial and error, I had a pattern that yielded all the needed body parts that fit together to my liking.
This pattern requires creating and stuffing all of the different body parts separately, hand stitching them all in place, and then hand stitching all of the stripes in place individually.
If that wasn't completely clear, this project requires a ton of hand stitching. You've been warned!
Begin by printing out my homemade Hobbes pattern (also attached below), preferably on stiff paper like cardstock.
You will need orange, black, and white fleece, with thread of the same colors. You will also need some polyester stuffing, poly stuffing beads if you want, two black 3/4" plastic buttons, and some thin black cording or yarn.
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I'll give you a free one-year pro membership if you make a Hobbes doll using my pattern and post a photo of it here in the comments. I'll also send you this awesome Hobbes patch that will show up on your member page.
What a deal!
Just wanted to ask.. are the seam allowances in the pattern already.. or do i have to add the seam allowances myself?
Thanks!
THANKS SO MUCH!
Sorry it took so long to respond. You should have a couple years of pro codes waiting for you in your personal inbox!
Thanks for the pattern and instructions, it was lots of fun!
Thanks
My Calvin now also has a Hobbes.
I did not use fleece. The orange part is towel cloth, the white and black is molleton. The towel cloth works great for the body but is a bit of a mess when working with it. But I would not choose the molleton again, I would rather use fleece, I think, so the single strings don't come out.
You are right, hand-sawing the stripes is rewarding in some way. But also a bit annoying. I think I might have an idea how to get the stripes on easier and still in the right place. If I find the time and enthusiasm to make another one, I will try and then post it here.
You make my day.
I always like to find different and unique gifts to my GF.
She loves Calvin and Hobbes.
I was looking for something like this all day
All that i can say it Thank you so much.
You rocks xD
You deserves a BIG hug for this Post xD
Thanks again ^^
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