- Pattern/kit designed by Debbie Minton
- Materials: 28 count Cashel "Lapis Lazuli" by Silkweaver, DMC, Kreinik
- Size: 21.5" wide x 8.5" tall
- Time to stitch: 30 days since January 2020
Presenting a massive BAP finish, which I stitched for my darling child (currently 7 years old)!
The pattern is fine, though I do think it has a little errata. Specifically Bo Peep's skin was charted as white, which is wrong. She's not a ghost; I used 3773 for her skin. Other than that, the pattern is quite large, very detailed, with tons of backstitch and a sprinkling of french knots (for eyes). The color selection is quite extensive though it does involve a lot of single color "block" stitching. Backstitching is mostly black, but several different colors are used for various details.
As for materials, I used evenweave (linen) instead of Aida, which I would highly recommend considering the number of quarter stitches and other stitches, which "should" have been charted as fractional. I added in my own fractionals as I went along to stay within the backstitch lines. The Lapis Lazuli linen is a very pretty variegated blue, kind of a nice sky effect which I think it's perfect for Toy Story. One substitution I made was the backstitching for Slinky Dog's wire, is charted for two strands of dark grey and I opted to use a dark grey Kreinik #4 braid instead, double stranded. It is kind of bulky but I think it looks right, the slinky part of the toy is fairly thick. Yes, I do have a Slinky Dog toy in my house for reference. My kiddo has a whole assortment of Toy Story characters, he truly loves the franchise; which I why I undertook this huge project.
I really love all the detail in the chart, and the personality of all the characters. The Potato Head couple is really cute, leaning together for a little tête-à-tête. Bo Peep is so lovely and serene with her blue staff. Rex the Dinosaur's diffidence comes through with his diagonal pose and folded hands.
Woody and Buzz are, of course, the heart of the story and I like that they are standing together. Woody has his leather hat, sheriff badge, cowhide vest, holster, boots, and spurs- so much detail for the Sheriff! Buzz's space suit is awesome and I love the shadow effect inside his clear helmet. The alien is super cute and welcoming and Agent Zurg is suitably foreboding. Slinky Dog has his mouth open, panting, as dogs do.
The Kreinik is pretty cool effect for the Slinky. Jessie has a sweet pose with one hand on her hip, next to her horse, Bullseye. Stinky Pete is adorably rotund with his silver pickaxe, of course . Finally, Hamm the Piggy / Evil Dr. Pork Chop, his penny slot is just too cute, but wow, that was a lot of pink! I did personalize the project for my son, over 1, below the Slinky.
Overall I'm really pleased with the project and kind of amazed with the 30 day total time, it seemed like longer. Perhaps I should note some of those were long stitchy days, this project definitely leant itself to timed stitchy challenges. With the large areas of single color, I could knock out 600 stitches or so relatively quickly. This is probably my first and last of this style. I'll stitch more Disney, but maybe more stylized designs like the Chibi ones by Petite Croix de Lucie, or Thomas Kinakade Art of Disney.
Wow, congrats on this huge finish - what a labour of love for your son! Toy Story was never one of my favourite movies, but this is still an awesome project, and I love all the detail.
Posted by: Leonore | June 20, 2021 at 08:38 AM
Hello!
I have been scouring the internet to try to find this pattern. I've found "screenshots" of different pages, but I would like to purchase the actual pattern! If you're done with it, would you consider selling/sharing??
Thank you!
Posted by: Lindsay Roberts | June 25, 2021 at 03:55 PM
Oh wow, what a fantastic finish, I hope you're framing it asap!
My older two grew up watching Toy Story, so I really love this one. Although they're now 23, I don't know if they'd appreciate it, but I do! What a treasure for Oliver to have.
Posted by: Astrid Connors | June 25, 2021 at 11:07 PM
I was wondering where you found this pattern? Been trying to find it and I can’t. Thanks! Stacy
Posted by: Stacy | October 13, 2021 at 06:25 PM