Plush-o-rama

What’s the big new phenomenon, with legions of devotees? Making lovable stuffed monsters! Influenced by the popularity of Japanese animé and video game culture, urban illustration and design, and the do-it-yourself craft movement, these designer plush toys are everywhere—even museum stores. Yet they’re simple to sew. Just take fabric, a needle and thread, and stuffing, combine a touch of cuteness with a dash of utter weirdness, and you’ve got one of the oddest, most irresistible creatures ever. And these 30+ projects—including furry, green-lipped Monkey; Greggles, who sports a coif of tentacles; and flirtatious Polly, who has her three eyes on every guy—are as much at home in a trendy loft studio as in a child’s room. They’re unabashedly handmade, but bold, colorful, and very modern. A thorough Basics section provides all the fundamentals, from fabric selection to stitches to the ins and outs of the construction process. And, as a bonus, there’s a handful of profiles of select plush designers with photos of their work.