it was a monster mash

how to make the anothropologie gift card-holding monster

by white waxflower

If you've given or received an anthropologie gift card lately, then you've seen the adorable monsters they're putting them in. I fell in love with mine, and wanted to make more of them. They make adorable cell phone and iPod holders, too:)

 These are some instructions that I put together as simply as I could to help you make your own. There's always room for improvement, so feel free to make suggestions in the comments if you try it and find something that works better! And if something isn't clear, speak up!

here's what you'll need:

• measuring tape
• fabric (a fat quarter, or 1/4 yard is enough for 2 monsters)
• two buttons of different size
• thread that coordinates with the fabric
• needles
• pins
• scissors
• light stuffing or batting
• material for accessories such as ribbon for a bow {optional}

now it's time to cut out the fabric for your monster:

For the body: cut out 2 sections of fabric: both 3.5 inches by 5.5 inches.

For the mouth: cut out 1 section of fabric: 3.5 inches by 4.25 inches.

For the arms: cut four sections of fabric: all 3.5 by 1.5  inches

for the mouth:

Fold a small seam over, iron it flat and pin it. Now sew it shut.

I used a cross-stitch, but you could use any stitch you want.

for the arms:

fold the arm in half INSIDE OUT and sew the long ends shut.

leave the short end open (the one opposite the folded end)

turn the arms out so that they're now right-side in. Iron the seams, then lightly stuff them.

for the body:

now it's time to start putting all the pieces together.

lay the mouth/chest piece on top of one of the body pieces.

leave the other body piece aside for now.

pin it in place, then sew the mouth/chest to the body.

pin the little monster arms to the back of the body.

sew them in as you work your way down the sides, sewing the mouth to the body.

I like to put one arm a little higher than the other.

now that you've got the arms, mouth/chest and front of the body all sewed together, you can sew on your little button eyes. Don't get them too close to the sides of the fabric or it will be hard to sew the back of the body on.

this next step is very important, and if you forget it your poor monster will be arm-less.

pin the little monster's arms to his chest. This will keep them in place so that when you turn it inside out, sew it, and then turn it back out again the arms won't be trapped inside it's little body.

so again, make sure you pin his arms to the FRONT of his chest, right in under the cross-stitch for his mouth.

for the back:

take your last remaining cut-out cloth, the back, and put it on top the monster's face, so that the pattern sides are facing each other. remember, you're going to be sewing it INSIDE OUT!!!!

{caution: don't be confused by the little "arms" that you see there. those are the little "nubs", the short fabric left inside when I had sewed the arms in.}

sew it up on three sides: the top, and the long ends. leave the bottom open. when you're sewing the long ends shut, don't go quite all the way to the bottom. leave about a quarter of an inch or a little less open.

iron your seams if you'd like, then iron the quarter seam that you left at the bottom backwards so that it will fold in when you turn it back right-side in.

now it's time to turn the little guy back so that he's right-side in!

sew the little monster flat to give him a more polished look, then very lightly stuff him.

your seams that you sewed in the last step should still be in place.

use these to help you sew up the bottom.

Now just add your embellishments (if you want to add any), like this little lady's hair bow!

I also recommend giving them a very sophisticated name. Perhaps yours is a Maxmillian, Rupert, or Evangeline?

Don't forget to cut a fun design in a business card or card stock to give your little guy some teeth!