Making a Monster - Thames and Kosmos 553008 Craft Monster Sewing Workshop

For some time now there’s been something of a quiet trend in stuffed animals that is simultaneously adorable and (not so) terrifying. That trend is stuffed monsters or other “ugly” dolls. This trend doesn’t seem to be going away given the popularity of cute monsters like Muno in shows like Yo Gabba Gabba! Probably this idea goes back to at least Sesame Street or even earlier, but it’s an idea that seems to be here to stay.

At EIO we love to encourage DIY, STEM and learning so to help with creativity and the rather important skill of sewing we’re happy to feature the Craft Monster Sewing Workshop by Thames & Kosmos. This kit is awesome because it really is a unique way to let kids explore their creativity by drawing and designing monsters. It also introduces challenges in designing the monsters as monsters that have a lot of thin parts won’t work that well for a stuffed doll.

The kit not only explores creativity, but it also explores the practical skill of sewing properly. Being able to sew will be a valuable skill all the way into adulthood when buttons or clothes need repair. This is important because from firsthand experience, I can tell you that poorly done stitches don’t last very long. Also covered is attaching various accessories to the monster.

The kit includes some very basic parts which you can use to get started such as fabric, needle, thread, stuffing and so on. It appears though that this kit is meant to ignite a spark of creativity so once you get the hang of it, you can go to the local craft store and make as many monsters as your imagination can produce. If you need a bit more fuel for the monster fire, you can search online for more pics of monsters others have made or for monster patterns.

Have you made any monsters with this kit or other methods? Tell us about it on Facebook or share them on Instagram! We would love to see what you’ve made!