CRAFT Pattern: Bobby Dazzler’s Make Your Own Misfits

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CRAFT Pattern: Bobby Dazzler’s Make Your Own Misfits

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Make Your Own Misfits by Fumie Kamijo and Rosie Short. CICO Books, $19.95, 2010; cicobooks.com
Sometimes I take crafting a little too seriously. I grumble at uneven seams, curse under my breath as I rip out knit stitches, and once or twice there has even been a few tears when something didn’t go as planned. Fumie Kumijo and Rosie Short have created a wonderful reminder to keep the joy in what you do with their wonderful new book, Make Your Own Misfits. Full of bizarre and charming creatures made from scraps and odds and ends and quite a bit of imagination, it’s a sewing book you should turn to on rainy days and down-in-the-dumps afternoons. I love the rollicking illustrations that form the instructions, and each creature has a fun backstory, from Monty the Giraffe’s bad snooping habit to the math genius of Ludovic the Koala. Once you’ve made a few misfits from the book, I can guarantee you’ll start seeing them in every tattered sweatshirt and odd sock you own.
Today’s CRAFT Pattern Podcast features a pattern excerpt from the book. Freddie the Mouse has a dashing Gallic air and a jaunty neckerchief! (We’re also going to be giving away a copy of the book, so be sure to enter the contest by commenting; details are below.)
Download the Pattern PDF | Subscribe in iTunes
(Right click to save the PDF to your desktop. Having problems? Please see our directions on downloading PDFs.)
Book Giveaway Time!
One lucky CRAFT reader will receive a copy of the book. Just tell us why you would like this book in the comments. All comments will be closed by Noon PST on Wednesday, May 26, 2010. The lucky winner will be announced later on the site. Good luck!

52 thoughts on “CRAFT Pattern: Bobby Dazzler’s Make Your Own Misfits

  1. Natalya says:

    This is just what I’ve been looking for, it’ll help me to get liberated and sew something just for fun!

  2. prsunshine.wordpress.com says:

    This would be great for me and my little boy! He wants to learn to sew and I am taking it up again after years away. This would help him with feeling okay when things aren’t perfect and to see the possibilities in imperfection – he tends to give up if he doesn’t do things “right” very quickly.

  3. jalphaiv says:

    Fun! I need some new sewing ideas for my son and his friends since birthday season is upon us!!

  4. steinks says:

    i’ve been looking for fun *unique* stuffed toys to make for my nieces & this looks like just the thing! Fabulous!

  5. dippydisco says:

    This so sound like the book for me. I hate to trow much of anything away and this book will give me something to do with my odd bits of fabric. Plus my son love to play with the things that I make.

  6. Beans says:

    My best friend is the craftiest, wackiest person I know. She inspires me everyday. Now she is pregnant with her first baby and I know that this is exactly the kind of book that belongs on her bookcase. We live about 5 hours apart so I’d like to show up one weekend and present her with the book – and then spend the day creating our first misfits together. She’s a NICU nurse and this will be the greatest way to help her unwind and enjoy her own pregnancy!

  7. mbhavens says:

    Leaving a misfit on someone’s desk seems like a good alternative for having a little fun at work!

  8. robynsnest says:

    why do I want the book? Because we’re all misfits!

  9. M'Shelle says:

    What a fantastic way to learn something new. I have always wanted to learn to make little creatures. I couldn’t think of a better way to start. Thanks for the opportunity! (=

  10. jenniferofthejungle says:

    I would love to get my hands on this book because it looks adorable and I love wild and wacky creatures.

  11. sprouthead says:

    i just took a sewing class and now i’m obsessed with fabric. i’ve wanted to make my own softies for a long time – this will inspire me!

  12. Kira says:

    I’d LOVE to win this book! I already make little monsters out of almost any spare scrap of fabric I can get my hands on, but always love to learn more techniques and I love books that give me more inspiration!

  13. jennit says:

    I’m one of those folks who gets down on myself when something doesn’t turn out perfectly, this book would be great inspiration for going with the flow.

  14. craftyoak says:

    I’m trying to make rather than buy more gifts this year, and these characters would be so fun to sew for the little people I know! (And some of the big people, too!)

  15. mentalstitch says:

    i like to make little creatures. this book could give me a lot of good ideas

  16. CarrEclectic says:

    A friend has been encouraging me to get involved in one of the programs where you make blankets, dolls or plush toys for children in the hospital, removed from their homes in abuse or neglect situations or lost children picked up by law enforcement officers. When I look at the sites, all the examples are perfectly quilted, knitted, crocheted or sewn. I can’t do that so I haven’t gotten involved. These “misfits” look like something that would not be frightening to scared children yet a “slip up” now and then wouldn’t ruin the project.
    As a side note, I had an elementary art teacher tell me how sad she felt when she saw a child’s openness and creativity start to be funneled into what was socially acceptable. When the kids first came to her in first and second grade they drew birds in simple line drawings with a head, body, beak and both legs drawn on the same side of the body without regard to perspective. By the time they were in the 5th and 6th grades they had begun to show birds in flight as the typical modified “V” shape. If they drew a horse or cow, they would hide legs by coloring in tall grass. There should be a way to retain that childlike creative view and know how to behave like a grown up when necessary.
    This looks like a book that is written by those who remember what it was like to view the world in a creative, open, not so perfect way. Would that we all could be so blessed.
    Sorry for rambling but this issue gets me on my “soapbox”. How many things have we passed up or didn’t try because we were afraid we might fail or be perfect?

  17. jess owley says:

    I’d love to make some misfits for my little misfits

  18. BellaDogCrochets says:

    Although I’m not nearly as cute as any of these guys, I can relate to the label of “misfit.” Would love to have the book so I can start creating a bunch of new friends for myself and for my non-stuffie friends.
    Thanks!

  19. orangepumpkin.myopenid.com says:

    A misfit handbook I could really use!

  20. DJ says:

    This is awesome! I’ve been crocheting hats for hospitals for a couple years and when I saw this I thought it would be awesome to give all the new kiddoes off with a new buddy.

  21. Gehna says:

    This one is cool and I know just the 35 unique and quirky creatures who will love them..

  22. PenguinBot says:

    These are adorable! I’d love to make some for my son.

  23. Andrea says:

    my kids love funny little creatures, and i love to sew. i would have so much fun making them a little army of friends!

  24. schnetzy says:

    I am in the processing of sewing and making all kinds of things for my baby’s room (due in August) and cute, funny misfits would look great in baby’s room!

  25. Jan says:

    What a wonderful imagination you have. I love these quirky little guys! I’m really seeing the possibilites. You have stimulated my imagination too. Thank you!

  26. pazpikasso says:

    i want a book!!

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