[Sylvanian Families] Expanding the joy of "fan activities" through handmade crafts

Hello everyone, this is the editorial team of "Couturier no Tane". We've been hearing a lot about "oshi-katsu" lately. It refers to activities where you cherish and support your favorite idols, characters, or other things. This time, we're focusing on "handmade x oshi-katsu," and we interviewed Hiyoko, the official Sylvanian Families ambassador who is very popular on social media, about the fun of handmade crafts unique to "Sylvanian Families".

 

The chick is very popular with works like this.

① Felt purchased from a 100-yen shop. I carefully selected the colors.

② Sasami-san, whom I met on social media (@koala_alalaStickers made by ).

③ Packs for putting real prepared foods in.

A small hobby for adults, where you can find solace in handmade crafts and Sylvanian Families.

Editorial Department (hereinafter referred to as "ed."): Hi, Hiyoko-san! Nice to meet you! You use handmade costumes or animal costumes to humorously and adorably photograph Sylvanian Families babies, right? When did you start posting them on social media?

Hiyoko-san (hereinafter referred to as Hi)I started this account about five years ago as a collection account for Sylvanian Families. From there, I started seeing more posts from people who were making things by hand, and that's what made me think, "Maybe I should try making something myself?" Since then, I've made more and more things, and I started posting photos on Instagram around 2020. 

Hen : What was the very first thing you made?

Hi : This is a cheese costume.

Hen : It's the one with the baby mouse wrapped in delicious-looking cheese, snuggled up in a round box, right? The colors are so realistic, but is it made of felt? 　

Hi : That's right. I made it by hand-sewing using felt that I bought at a 100-yen shop.

 

 

Hen : What's striking about Hiyoko-san's artwork is not only its cuteness, but also how truly delicious everything looks. And yet, it also makes you chuckle and leaves you with a happy feeling.

Hi : Thank you. I'm glad you liked it, as I put a lot of effort into making it look delicious. For the shrimp tempura, which was well-received by my followers, I paid particular attention to the crispy texture of the batter. Even the spring rolls, which look simple, I carefully observed them in the prepared food section to match the colors, researched actual recipes and cooking methods, and rolled them as if I were cooking them myself. When I put them on the table, my husband sometimes mutters, "I want to eat some" (laughs), and when I hear that, I think, "Yes!"

 

 

Hen : Have you always enjoyed making things by hand?

Hi : Influenced by my grandmother, who worked as a seamstress, I used to make my own clothes for Sylvanian Families when I was in elementary school. I loved Sylvanian Families from a young age and collected them with my sister, but I gradually drifted away from them around middle school. Along with that, I stopped making things by hand for a while, but my love for Sylvanian Families was rekindled while raising my eldest son.

Hen : It's a tough time when you're raising your first child, isn't it?

Hi : That's right. There were times when I felt down because of it, but thanks to Sylvanian Families, my mood brightened up. And when I started making things by hand, my mood improved dramatically, and I started having more and more fun!

 

 

Hen : So, you're saying that making things by hand to support your favorite idol is a source of comfort in your busy daily life?

Hi : It's been a huge help and a great source of support for me. I'm always excited, thinking, "What should I make next? This looks like it could be made into a costume!" Finding time to go out and look for materials, or working on it little by little while the kids are sleeping, is also a great way to unwind. I go out to take pictures, so I've become more familiar with the town I live in, and I've grown to love it even more than before.

 

 

Hi : Another appeal of making things by hand to support your favorite idols is that it's easy to find like-minded people through social media. Meeting experienced crafters who kindly gave me advice on how to make and photograph things really broadened the world I could express. One of my favorite creations is a baby takoyaki, and I learned the tricks and hints for making it perfectly round through those interactions on social media.

Hen : It seems like it received a great response! 

 

HiYes. I'm grateful for all your kind comments. When people say things like "cute" or "looks delicious," it motivates me to make even more! I love the time I spend making things quietly by myself, but it can be quite challenging (laughs). Your words make me feel like all my efforts are worthwhile.

Hen : Are there any handmade motifs you're currently into?

HiI want to master Chinese cuisine! I've already made steamed buns and spring rolls, so now I'm working on sesame balls. Sewing each sesame seed in is more tedious than I expected, but I'm hooked (laughs). 

HenI'm really looking forward to seeing the finished product! When do you get such fun ideas? 

HiWhen I'm shopping at the supermarket or watching a food show, if something suddenly comes to mind, I make it a habit to quickly use the memo function on my smartphone to jot it down. I've lost count, but I've listed well over a hundred things.

Hen: In the future, how do you plan to enjoy and expand your handmade crafting and silk-related activities?

HiMy 5-year-old eldest son has taken an interest in my Sylvanian Families activities, saying, "I want to make one too!" We've been enjoying making things together since he was about 3 years old, so I'd be happy if we could collaborate someday. I hope he'll try his best in areas I'm not so good at, like making dioramas (laughs). My second son was just born, but I can't wait to play with him using Sylvanian Families!

 

 

Hiyoko-san, who enjoys handmade crafts beyond the boundaries of techniques and genres in the currently popular category of "silk-related activities," shared many hints for a new world of handmade crafts. We hope that this will inspire everyone to expand their enjoyment of handmade crafts, not just through fan activities, but also by taking photos of their own creations and sharing them on social media.

 

From the "Sylvanian Families Program." Comes in a long pouch for groups!

We were given the special opportunity to have our photos taken with merchandise from the "Sylvanian Families Program." I want to go out with the sushi baby!

"Sylvanian Families Enjoyment Program [6-Session Subscription Program]"The following will be provided.

Who is this chick you mentioned...?

Sylvanian Families Official Ambassador 2024
Chick

I love sewing! I also share my carefully crafted projects on Instagram.

Instagram:@h1natan0h1y0k0