Hello! My name is Choly Knight and I specialize in kawaii sewing patterns!
I’ve been sewing for more than 20 years, and my journey got started at a young age making my own clothes. I was always a bit of a nerd, so it’s little wonder that my new passion for sewing quickly evolved into cosplay. I still enjoy tinkering with it to this day, and my favorite part of the costume-making process was in designing casual wear. Anime artists put their characters in such unique and fun clothes, and I always thought “we should make it easy to wear these kinds of cute outfits every day!”
So in my college years I became a consistent anime convention vendor, where I sold handmade casual cosplay hoodies and accessories. When I branched out to selling online, I was discovered by Fox Chapel Publishing — who requested I write a book about the same adorable projects I was making! We worked together on various topics; kawaii goods, quilts, kids crafts, and even books for beginners. All those projects led me to build quite the stash of scrap fabrics. So I started a blog where I could share some of the projects I made with the leftovers, update people on new books I was working on, and design new patterns to practice for my next book.
Visitors offered up suggestions for new patterns, and I was more than happy to oblige! Which is how you’ll find my designs shifted from cute bags, wearables, and home décor, to mostly plush toys. And that leaves us where we are today! I’m absolutely thrilled that what started as a fun way for me to use up leftover fabric has become a useful resource for so many people. I hope you’ll continue to follow me on this journey as I keep designing, sewing, and learning!
You are such an outstanding girl for doing all of this without taking no charge from your viewers!!! It can’t be more easier to follow your tutorials even when some can’t speak english! Thank you thank you thank you so much! >-<
Surely going to buy your book ♥
Aww, thank you so much! I’m so glad the tutorials are easy to follow, and thank you for your interest in my books! I really hope you enjoy using them ♥
Hi Choly! Purchased your book, “Sewing Stylish Handbags and Totes”. I just love it. I am trying to make the Patchwork Purse with Side Pockets but I am having difficulty in finding those pattern pieces on the pattern sheets provided. Could you kindly inform me what pattern numbers are required to make this purse. Thank you. Carol
Hi Carol! You’re so kind! I’m really glad you like the book 🙂 The pattern numbers for the Patchwork Purse are 8-A, 8-B, 8-C, and 8-D. They should be the gray shapes with black outlines located in the upper left-hand corner of one of the 2 double-sided pages. You should find them layered over the pattern pieces numbered “9”. I really hope that helps you find them! Feel free to send me another message if you need more help 😀
I LOVE your website and I plan on buying a book or two of yours for myself for Christmas.
I’m new to sewing and I need a new sewing machine, what machine(s) do you use, if you don’t mind me asking?
Aww, thank you so much for the kind words! I really hope you enjoy the books!
I ran into a lot of bugs with timing and the bobbin.
To answer your question though, over the years I’ve used a few Singers, Brothers, and Vikings.
Right now I own a Singer Futura and a Viking Emerald. Singer is a good brand and they’re pretty user-friendly, but they often have bobbin issues. Other than that they can be pretty good machines 😀 I really love my Viking though. It’s more expensive, but it’s quite the little workhorse and has been very good to me.
I’ve only used a few Brothers at friends’ houses and in classes and what not — can’t say I really like those too much
CholyI am your uncle. Loved reading your profile, very interesting. U did not get these skills from me. Lol very Kool we must stay in contact
woah! You’re a cosplayer too!!! I want to see some of your creations!
I have been into cosplaying for a fair few years now because it somehow keeps my creativity juice flowing and it gave me way to learn sewing on my own and many other things too. Now it somehow led me to making cosplays for friends too.
I’m so happy I found artists like you along my search on being better at sewing and crafting. ALWAYS, THANK YOU FOR SHARING. ♥
I just came across your website. You are truly gifted. I am definitely going to try to make something of yours. Congratulations on your accomplishments and thanks for giving back.
I found your site from Pinterest. I have made your pokeball and am going to make your calcifer. I too have an affinity for all things nerdy. I love that you know who calcifer is, and i love that you made one and shared the pattern! So Excited! Thank you
how do i sign up for free patterns?
There’s a sign up bar near the top of the page beneath “My Books.” But I’ve submitted your email just in case you were having trouble 🙂 From there you can confirm the subscription!
Hi you habe a nie page
Vielen lieben dank das sie ihr wissen und talent mit uns teilen ❤👍👍
Einfach nur spitze
Lois Appel
February 6, 2017 at 4:50 PM
I am working on a Cheater Hexie quilt and am doing it using a four inch across hexie instead of 8 inch. I have a specific question about the pattern.Why is piece A 1/8 inch wider than piece B and how can I adjust if My Piece A is 1 3/4 inches wide? Is there a way to email you directly?
Hello!
Concerning piece A — the width of it is not terribly important, as it’s just used to sew to the corner of each hexie to make it a rectangle. It needed to be at least 2¼” wide to make that happen, but we rounded it up to 2½”. Piece B is more precise because it’s working with the actual spacing of the hexies, which needs to be accurate to get the right honeycomb border look.
So if you were using a 4″ hexie, a 1 3/4″ wide rectangle for piece A should be just fine to fill out that corner. I really hope that’s clear! But if you need extra help my email is cholyknight (at) gmail.com
Would you carry the Burberry handbag pattern and a pattern with a large flap ? I want to make a Bohemian style bag.
Thanks, Bonnie
bonjour . j adores tous ces modeles et j aimerais bien faire tous les modeles gratuits pour mes petits enfants mais impossible de les trouver . j ai egalement essaye de m inscrire sur votre page mais la non plus je ny arives pas . merci par avance pour votre aide . cordialement Joelle Messager
Bonjour, vous pouvez trouver des liens vers tous mes modèles gratuits ici: https://cholyknight.com/free-projects/
J’espère que vous les appréciez!
Hello Choly!
I have so far attempted and completed 3 of your projects. They are easy to follow and have renewed my love of sewing. I was wondering, what program you use to create your patterns?
I can’t wait to see what you’ll come out with next!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the patterns! To answer your question, I use Adobe Illustrator to draft the actual pattern templates, and I use Adobe InDesign to create the .pdf layouts.
You’ve inspired me so much! I’ve found that sewing keeps my mind busy so I don’t have time to focus on my physical pain so thank you for all the great ideas to keep me going!
You’re so welcome! I’m glad I could be of some small help ♥
How generous of you to offer a pattern for the tiny dinos.
My granddaughter in Delhi would love one or two of these for christmas
But im totally hopeless at sewing
Do you ever sell the finished product?
If so count me in! Aideen in Oxford….
I still have the sample dinos and I’d be happy to sell them for $12 USD each 🙂 Shipping might be a little pricey since I’m in the US, but I’d be happy to create a listing for you on my Etsy store!
hola, tus trabajos son hermosos, encantada de ver cada nuevo proyecto y poder hacerlo, sigue con esa inspiracion, yo tambien hago algunos muñequitos en mis ratos libres, continua asi, un saludo desde colombia
Hello. I am a 17-year-old female who’s been in art and Japanese culture for a while. I came upon this site a while ago (most of them are not my level) but I’ve been sewing for 2,3 years off and on and I see me pursuing a future. I wanted you to know you are someone I admire and hope to achieve great as you have. I wanted to thank you for being who you are.
Oh wow, thank you so much! I’m very honored and flattered that what I create has helped you in even a small way ♥ I hope you keep doing what you do!
Hi Choly, I am a sewing teacher and just bought a book off of Amazon called ‘Sew Your Own Pet Pillows that you created in 2011.’ I’m wondering if I could make copies of the patterns to use with my sewing students? Thank you
Hello! I think this might be more of a question for my publisher, since I don’t technically own the rights to the patterns 🙂
But all of my free patterns here on this site you’re welcome to use with your students as much as you like!
I’ve been needing some advice, and I thought I’d ask you first. I’m wanting to make a simple tee-shirt, and I don’t know how. All I can find online are fancy patterns. Could you give me some advice on how to make a tee-shirt, or maybe where to find a pattern? It’s going to be about baby size, or smaller.
Is something like this what you had in mind? https://www.fleecefun.com/how-to-make-a-baby-t-shirt-tutorial-free-pattern.html
Thank you. Now teddy bear can be glam.
Hello! First off, I love your patterns! They are so cute and so easy to follow! ♡♡♡ Second, I wanted to ask if you were comfortable with people using your patterns to sell finished products? Because I have a friend who wants a stuffed animal made for her but I don’t want to do it for free but I don’t know how to make patterns and I feel uncomfortable using yours because I don’t know how you feel about it
Thank you so much for the kind words! To answer your question you can definitely sell items you’ve sewn with my patterns! ♥ Thank you so much for asking, and I hope your sewing goes well!
Merci beaucoup pour ton patron du sweat krokmou.
Je l’ai adapté pour furie éclair, avec un jersey gris souris & brillant multicolore. Ma fille de 6 ans était aux anges ! Beau kdo d’anniversaire !
Je suis tellement content que cela vous ait aidé! Merci beaucoup!
I can’t find the link for the travel case pattern is it free
It is! Is this the one you were looking for? https://cholyknight.com/2015/04/17/quilt-as-you-go-train-case/
I love your creations. I have several 50-60 cm ball-jointed dolls, and so I find myself making smaller versions of your work for them, since it’s so hard to find backpacks and bags for dolls of their size. I’ve also made some of your plushies, like the love koi, for them. Oversized plushies are the best, and a standard sized koi for us is a wonderful body-pillow cuddle for them. Please, keep creating these wonderful items!
Thank you so much for the kind words about my work! That’s really great that the patterns have worked for your ball-jointed dolls! I hope you enjoy what’s to come in the future ♥
Hi Choly! I was wondering: I recently saw someone at a convention a month ago selling plushies made using your patterns. That wasn’t all of what they sold, they did have their own things made using their own patterns, but they didn’t credit you, and only mentioned you when I asked them about it as I recognised the plush. What’s your policy on this?
Hello! I don’t absolutely require that people credit me, only kindly ask that they do to pay it forward 🙂 Sometimes people forget or they can’t figure out where to do it in a convention scenario such as that — so I try to be understanding. But I really appreciate you looking out for me!
Wow! I’m blown away by your talent and generosity. Your creations are adorable and marvelous. Thanks for taking the time to share all this.
I loved reading your story! I’ve just been pouring over your patterns and I can’t wait to show some to my 9 yr old son .
While he can totally make anything in the hoop all by himself , ha has an interest in learning to sew on the machine . So I’m going to download your free designs to show him . How generous are you ?!
I also am the leader of a homeschool group and we begin sewing classes this spring . I can’t wait to show them your shop. I’ve been following it on Etsy for awhile.
Wow, thank you so much for being a fan! I’m really glad you’re enjoying the patterns, and I hope your sewing classes go well! ♥
Hi Choly!
I found your patterns through Pinterest and I am so in love with them! Your plushies are so damn cute and the patterns are really easy to understand.
I’m a bit of a nerdy girl, too – I love Animes and Mangas and I grew up with Harry Potter (thank you so much for the adorable HP-patterns!!!) and I really enjoyed reading your story.
Keep on doing your stuff – I will surely follow you!
Lovely regards from Germany,
Julia
Thank you so much for the kind words about my work! I’m glad you’re enjoying the patterns ♥ I and I hope you enjoy what’s to come in the future!
hi choly!
ive been looking at your patterns 4 a while, and so far ive only done the cat bean plush. im a beginner at sewing,(ive been doing it 4 about 2 yrs now) even though ive been practicing a lot, but i havent been getting much better. do u have any tips?
(P.S. i absolutely LOVE ur patterns! they are so cute and easy 2 use.)
thanks!
Hello Willow! Thank you for the kind words about my patterns! I’m so glad you’re enjoying them!
When you’re starting out, I definitely think the most important thing is to enjoy yourself 🙂 It doesn’t hurt to look at your project and tell yourself what you DO like about it 😀
But for getting better at other parts, I think it helps to try a project where you slow down a little. Maybe after each section you stop and ask whether you like how it’s going before you move onto the next section.
And if there’s a specific skill you want to get better at, like sewing on the faces, maybe try doing several simple projects that mostly focus on that skill so you can get used to it.
I hope one of those tips might help! And I hope you enjoy your future sewing projects! ♥
Choly
I love your designs! Do you make patterns for other people? I have a children’s book character that I want to make into a simple plush pattern.
Thanks!
Jay
http://www.BeeBop.club
Hello! Unfortunately I don’t have time in my schedule to make custom plush or patterns for others. So sorry for the inconvenience, but I appreciate your interest!
Oh, I just love your patterns so much !!
I’m so fascinated by what you can create.
Such a powerful imagination! I love it 🙂
Greetings from Germany
I really love your great jobs… Im from indonesia… I hope you can make plushie pattern for hatsune miku, and another anime… Because i really want to make my own miku u_u
Notice me if you make that… Thank you…
I absolutely LOVE all of you patterns. You are so creative and such an incredible inspiration. Thank you 🙂
OMG! Thank you SO MUCH for the “the child”-pattern! It’s sooooo adorable!
And thank you for the chance to win one!
You are so great, I love your fantastic jobs! You go girl!
Julia form Germany
Hello! Loving your creations and you have been really inspiring to me so far. I might have some suggestions for requests?
– Matilda the Armadillo (Sonic)
– Belle the Tinkerer (Sonic)
– Mr. Banana Brain (Darkwing Duck)
– Pinky and the Brain
– Wakko Warner
– Fethry Duck
– Bunnicula
Thank you for the suggestions!