Plush You!: Lovable Misfit Toys to Sew and Stuff

by Kristen Rask

Take this plush and STUFF IT! Plush You! invites you into a world of more than 100 lovable—in a three eyes, ten arms, USO (unidentified stuffing object) sort of way—handmade toys to sew and stuff. Soon you, too, will be a softie when you fall

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction, Sewing

144 pages, Paperback

First published October 23, 2007

Reviews

[karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

as far as instructional books go, this one is pretty weak. but its a fantastic resource for providing website information where you can buy monsters that other people have made. grrr.

i just like looking at the pictures and hoping my skill set expands and quick! i spent all day crafting, so merry christmas, nazis!!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The creatures in this book rate a five, no question--if you like outlandish, ugly-cute, vibrant patchwork plushes...which I do. Unfortunately only a handful (if that) of these winning, personality-loaded creations offer anything in the way of instructions. The goal of this book is really to showcase the work of some of the creative, edgy, outside-the-box artists and craftspeople doing business, not train you to join their ranks. However, there are so many excellent finished creations depicted inside, that if you're looking to build off a template you've found in one of the other excellent instruction guides that are out now (such as The Cute Book or Stupid Sock Creatures, say--you just might find some inspiration here. Also, I found myself jotting down a half dozen web addresses that I can follow-up for leads on Christmas presents for my niece, nephew, and battalion of small cousins.

[jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a lot of inspiration packed into a little book. There are interviews with various plush-makers, and (my fave) pictures of work spaces of plush-makers across the country. There are a wide variety of plushies represented, which I think just encourages you more to make your own, collect disparate styles, experiment with materials & techniques, stretch out your craft legs & get ridiculous.

I wasn't especially inspired to make any of the patterns included in the book, but it was enough to reignite some fires that get tired and busy underneath dishes, laundry, social obligations, and other projects.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with all collections / anthologies, there were hits and there were misses. There were a couple of dolls that appealed to me in their simplicity for making to give away for humanitarian toys.

eta: not exactly child-friendly. e.g. zombie sock monkeys, and the hippie with the objectionable tshirt. :)

[Mortira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plush You! is all about toys with attitude, and contains dozens of fabulous photographs of plush dolls and toys by a variety of talented artists. There are some scale templates in the back, but otherwise the projects included in the book do not feature step by step diagrams or photographs. I wouldn't recommend them to a novice toy maker.

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title implies that this is a book of patterns, but it's not really what it is. There are few patterns, but it is primarily a book showcasing artists, some of whom sell their stuff from their websites.

[Megan Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given this a 4, but I was slightly disappointed in there being only a few patterns and projects compared to how many photos of other dolls/plushies there were. It was more a gallery with a few projects than it was a craft book. Still, very well presented and inspiring. :)

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ultimately, not my cup of tea. I requested this book from another branch of my public library, and while I was intrigued by some of the creatures (especially the egg, bacon and toast fridge magnets!! SO CUTE!), I didn't find myself inspired to make any plushies of my own.

[Phobean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Pretty pictures. Not much else to recommend it.

[Kristin B · Rating 3 out of 5]

ideas gallore

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the love of all that is sweet and mutant, someone make me a socktopus!!

[Gigi Minor · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun for all!

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay, as my rating shows. The book didn't have many instructions and really it just made me a little angry that it didn't and just gave me websites so i could find them myself

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some were cute, others were just a bit disturbing. It was also more a gallery rather than instructional guide.