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Monday, June 3, 2013

5th Grade Plush Monsters






Break out the needles and thread. It's time for plush monsters! This project has quickly become a favorite at Thomas. It's fun to see my students try their hand at what is an entirely new medium for most of them. I'm happy to fall back on my 8th grade home economics skills to teach this one.

This is only the second time I've done this project, but the results have been pretty stunning each time. My students absolutely love coming up with their own monster and actually being able to create a tangible product they can take home. They sew the main body using felt, needle, and thread. The details are glued on using Aleene's tacky glue. It really has a good hold with the felt. 

9 comments:

Family First said...

Cute monsters!

Hope Hunter Knight said...

These look great, and I haven't attempted this in years but want to get back into it because the kids do love sewing. My classes are 45 minutes - how many sessions do you think for the stitching and stuffing portion?

Zach Stoller said...

Hope- I think sewing took two 45 minute classes, stuffing took about 15 minutes, and adding details took about a class and a half. 4 total classes once the sketching was finished.

Mrs. Nguyen said...

Love love love! :)
I did a similar project this past year with my 5th grade - they made angry birds ( http://artwithmsgram.blogspot.com/search/label/sewing ).. but I really like the idea of letting the kids design their own monsters and create them. Much more room for creativity!
Perhaps I'll do this next year instead! :)

Ms. Gram
http://artwithmsgram.blogspot.com/

Rina k6art.com said...

Great work! I'm sure your students will use their new skills to make more of their own this summer.

Melissa said...

Love this!! Great idea! Did you have any parents concerned about their child using a needle? Even in 5th grade?

Zach Stoller said...

Melissa,
I really didn't put much thought into what the parents thought about their children using needles. I make sure the kids know that they are using a semi-sharp tool and I show them the correct way to use it. In the past, I've had special needs students with dexterity issues just use fabric glue if need be. I have only hear positive comments from parents. Thanks for the compliment!

Anonymous said...

Awesome lesson! What material did you use for the inside of the monsters?

Zach Stoller said...

Thanks! The fill material is called FLUFFERFILL!!! It is the supply that I buy that is the most fun to say. It's just a generic stuffing from Blick.