It’s another edition of SCK Tries where we try out a DIY to see how it works in real life and whether we’d recommend you give it a go. This time I’m trying Noodoll’s new DIY plush kit.
The Original DIY
![Noodoll DIY plush kit review](http://www.supercutekawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/noodoll_makeyourown_blue_bear_2_1_1.jpg)
We’re big fans of Noodoll’s cute characters and during lockdown they came up with the fun idea of a Make your own Ricemonster kit! This includes everything you need to create your own unique customised plushie friend at home. Since I love ignoring instructions and doing my own thing, it seemed like a perfect crafty activity for me.
Materials & Process
![Noodoll DIY plush kit review](http://www.supercutekawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_5577-600x480.jpg)
Each kit includes a blank unstuffed Ricemonster plush, some felt accessories, felt scraps, loads of stuffing and a simple instruction booklet, all packed inside a branded mesh bag you can reuse for grocery shopping. All you need is some glue or a needle & thread, plus any extra bits for your own customisation ideas. There’s a few different characters available, but obviously I chose the pink bunny!
![Noodoll DIY plush kit review](http://www.supercutekawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_5578-600x428.jpg)
The accessories include things like glasses, eyepatch, bows, moustache, eyes etc. in a thick sturdy felt and it’s fun to try out different combinations. Above are 2 you could make very easily without any extra materials. I had to do something special though and decided that big white tummy was perfect for a rainbow heart design, Care Bears style.
![Noodoll DIY plush kit review](http://www.supercutekawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_5580-600x600.jpg)
This was my rough plan, using a triangle of brown felt for a nose and the heart glasses as a template. I initially planned to embroider a heart but after doing the mouth I gave that up quickly. There’s only a small gap in the side for the stuffing so getting a needle in there is a bit tricky. The fabric is quite fluffy too so even using all 6 strands of embroidery thread, the stitches can disappear a little.
![Noodoll DIY plush kit review](http://www.supercutekawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_5584-600x600.jpg)
In the end, I made a layered felt heart so I only had to stitch around the outer edge. I also traced the bow shape on to purple felt and sewed a button on top. For the eyes (and glasses later), I used a strong fabric glue (I like Gutermann HT2) which worked perfectly. I then stuffed it with as much filling as I could manage (it will take a lot!), sewed up the gap and added the glasses.
The End Result
![Noodoll DIY plush kit review](http://www.supercutekawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_5604-600x600.jpg)
Here’s my finished bunny, Blossom! I think she turned out really cute and I’m very happy with all the matching colours. The face is a little wonky which makes it look more handmade and I love that no-one will have one the same as me.
My only issue was that I didn’t realise how much the shape would change after stuffing. The heart would look better a little higher up and the eyes are no longer centred in the glasses. The instructions say to do all the decorating before stuffing but I would recommend waiting to glue on features so you can place them better. If you’re a real perfectionist and adding sewn features, you probably want to stuff it, mark your decorations and then unstuff.
![Noodoll DIY plush kit review](http://www.supercutekawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_5644-600x600.jpg)
I’d definitely recommend this kit to anyone looking for an easy quick project. If you just use the included felt + glue, it could be done in less than an hour, and even with my extra additions it only took an afternoon altogether. You can buy the kit exclusively from Noodoll (UK – ships worldwide).
(This is not a sponsored post but SCK has worked with Noodoll previously)
Leave a Reply