how-to page

Boris How-To:

After searching on the internet and finding that the only Boris toy out there in the world was (a) no longer available anywhere and (b) didn't look that much like Boris (as illustrated by the author in the book "My Father's Dragon"), I decided that I would create my own.  My idea of knitting or crocheting a Boris was promptly rejected by my live-in jury and so I decided on sewing which would be faster, though I knew it would be an adventure, since my sewing skills are, well, undernourished.

My first stop was Etsy, where I found this pattern, for Yoki, the Fat Dragon from DIYFluffies, which sort of looked like Boris, and was made of cozy fleece.  I love the fact that this pattern is a PDF, so I could download it right away and get to thinking.  My next stop was for fabric.  I was dismayed to find that simple blue and yellow fabric with stripes of this width does not exist in the world, in fleece or any other fabric.  So it soon became obvious, I would have to create my own striped fabric.  I had a few thoughts on how this could be accomplished and decided on sewing the blue stripes onto the solid yellow fabric after I cut the pattern:

I skipped over the head, the first step on the pattern instructions, since this would need to be changed the most and could be added last.  I set to work creating the body with some alterations: the addition of red wool felt for the hands, feet and spikes.  Spike placement also needed to be adjusted.

Wing shape needed to be altered:

But, basically, this pattern was very good for Boris--it was working!

I even remembered to put a secret felt heart in his chest before I stitched him up!:

With the head, I really winged it, changed the shape and construction, but by this point I felt confident enough and knew I had lots of fleece left over, in case I needed to make several tries on it.  As it was, the first attempt worked out pretty well!  I embroidered nostrils, mouth and eyes like the cover picture and finished Boris up with a large red horn and floppy ears.  I left him on the foot of Chloe's bed holding a red felt heart.  And I have to say, it was pretty magical for her!  And that is what love is all about: Happy Valentine's Day!