scroll down to see pictures from the books I used
The owls, you know them well by now... in general I used the pattern from this book but chose wool and linen instead of chirimen crepe, which per se creates a thoroughly new species, no matter if feet respectively wings are or are not attached, a beret is worn, a name given and sewn on or not and those google eyes replaced by lovely vintage buttons... Oh not to forget, I put in much more filling which results in a shorter flap / friendlier face.
The book is nice, as I said before, but a bit "thin" (lots of photos, not so many patterns) and given the rather high price I'd say I wouldn't recommend buying it.
The bunny... from this book. Mine is all dressed up and has pointy, much more grown up ears. Chirimen instead of cotton, no accessories. The pattern is from this book. A reasonably priced book, not a fancy one and the projects often look rather boring but I like it. If you already own a few Japanese patchwork or crafting magazines, you won't need this one. Especially not if you just seek to find out how to make that bunny. To construct a bunny shouldn't be too difficult and I could help, too. And the bunny's kimono... that's all fake, I can tell you. The obi (belt) really does the trick, covers all odds and ends, in this case rather odd ends that is. Ends of fabric that wouldn't be there if this was a real wrapped dress the bunny is wearing. The kimono actually consists of the bunny's body, a wrapped around skirt the sewn on sleeves and a double folded piece of fabric draped around the bunny's neck pretending being the kimono's collar. The size of my bunny is 14 cm.
The bag... from a very unattractive looking book which I cannot find online, a book that contains quite some interesting patterns, very basic and would it been made in the same style as those Machine Made Patchworks books it would be known.
The bag... de-frilled, bright, fresh fabrics, a rigid, angular base instead of the soft, round one - gives the bag a simpler, more modern look. Go and search for a Granny Bag pattern in your patchwork magazines, it's likely you find one. If not, draw a rough sketch of the desired bag's shape, play with curves, pleats and darts. How to create a rectangular base for a bag can be seen in that tutorial on Marianne's applehead (Do you know her 'smallpeople'? I really love them!).
Try coming up with your own pattern, if others hadn't, there weren't as much as there are. I know that really is not new for you. You are all creative, talented people and like to do things your own way. I just want to encourage everybody. And this is what I would like to tell you, hoping I do not sound too arrogant: Try to be convinced you already own that perfect pattern for a bag, softie or whatever you want to create. Assume it is just hidden in not so zakka-like craft books with lots of uninspired photos. Try to see the good in the patterns you have at home, be willing to give them your own twist, play.
I never bought one of the Machine Made Patchwork books (at least not for me) although I like them very much. I just think I have the provided patterns pretty much covered by other books or magazines. Beautiful and very unattractive ones. A few years of crafting in Japan inevitably leads to well laden bookshelves, I admit. But I do avoid buying each and every book that's pretty.
I think I am starting a challenge here. I will get out my most unalluring craft and sewing books and look for projects that really don't seem appealing at all - and try to transform them into something I like.
Does that sound cocky? Hope not.
Have a beautiful day!
Edit: I feel like I have to say a bit more on this topic because I could have giving a wrong impression of my relation to craft/sewing/Zakka books. What I said about avoiding buying books just because they are pretty... that is, as long as I would categorize the concerning book as a 'craft book' with the purpose of providing patterns. But there are also those books that are so beautiful, creative or inspiring that not a single pattern has to be in them to legitimate their existence. In these cases a few stunning photographies are all I need to make me want them. After all I'm only human ;-)