The first thing I’d do is paint your embroidery hoop, so it has time to dry while we’re working on monsters. Separate the two parts of your hoop (the inside and outside hoops) and paint them both fully. I’m using gloss enamel paint, but really, any paint will do. You could also spray paint it or even just leave it bare if you like.

Once you’ve painted both hoops, set them aside to dry. 

Now, it’s time to make our monsters. These monsters are the kind of stuffies you sew together, instead of in the hoop, so make sure you go about them the right way. Load up your first monster, and hoop it up with your chosen fabric and some tear away stabilizer. An outline of your monster will stitch, along with all the inside elements. Once your monster is stitched, cut a loose outline around him, at least a centimeter away from the stitched dieline.

Repeat this step for all your monsters. 

Since we only had three different monsters, but I needed at least four for my mobile, I stitched one of them in two different colors to create more. You can create a whole army of different monsters this way.

Once you have your monsters stitched and cut out, you’ll also want to cut out their horns and hands. You can do this by either printing or stitching their dielines, and then carefully cutting them out. Be sure to use your stiff felt for this! Monsters hate floppy horns. 

Now, time to assemble our mobile monsters. Flip a monster over, and carefully tear away the excess stabilizer outside of your dieline. You can tear all of it away if you like, but you don’t have to. Once the outside stabilizer has been removed, carefully tape your appendages in place, making sure at least one side of them overlaps the dieline. This way they’re sure to get caught in the seam.

Cut out another piece of matching monster fur just about the same size as your monster. You’ll also want to cut a long length of ribbon you’ll use to hang your monster from the mobile. Be sure to cut plenty, it’s always better to have more length than less.

Place your ribbon behind your monster, just at the top, and then place your last piece of monster fur behind that. Pin these two layers in place, like shown. Make sure you pin the ribbon in place so it doesn’t shift while we’re sewing. 

We’re ready to stitch our monster... But wait! Make sure the thread you use to stitch your monster matches the thread color of the already stitched dieline. You’ll also want to wind a bobbin to match so he’s coordinated on all sides.

Carefully sew a seam around your monster, sewing over the ribbon and stiff felt, but leaving about a 1 inch gap somewhere so he can be stuffed and stitched closed. Put the gap somewhere that’s easy to stitch closed when he’s stuffed, like a flat edge. 3 Available Sizes: 3 Available Sizes:

Once the two layers are stitched together, you can be a little more exact cutting out your monster. Cut slightly closer to his seam this time, so you can easily see his arms and horns. Take care when cutting around his appendages! You’ll have to cut the front and the back separately, so you don’t snip his horns right off.

Finally, you have a cute, but slightly flat little monster, ready to be stuffed! 

Grab your polyfill stuffing and fill him up a little bit at a time, until he’s as plump as you please. Once he’s full (*urp*) stick him back under the machine and sew that final gap shut.

It looks to be a bit uncomfortable under the sewing machine, but from his expression, he’s taking it like a champ. Monsters are endlessly cheerful.

Yay! You have a finished monster ready to hang. Now you just need to finish his buddies so he’s got some company. 

Repeat as needed to turn your ordinary sewing implement into a veritable monster making machine. Remember, you can make as many monsters as you feel like to fill up your mobile.

Here’s my little army of monsters, ready to go!

Start by playing around a bit with how long you want each monster to hang down. You’ll want to put them at slightly different lengths for a better effect.

Once you’ve decided on length, cut them to size and grab your hot glue gun. Take the larger, outside hoop, and glue the ribbons (with your monsters facing outwards) on the inside of the large hoop.

Once all your monsters have been glued on, take the smaller hoop and carefully place it inside, covering up the edges of the ribbon. You might have to loosen the larger hoop to get it in without bothering your ribbons, but you can just tighten it back up when you’re done. For extra security, add a couple dabs of hot glue to the inside before you add your last hoop, so it all gets glued together. 

If you want, dress your hoop up a little more by wrapping your hoop with some of your ribbon, using hot glue to keep the ends in place.

Finally, cut a length of ribbon you’ll use for hanging. Wrap one end around one side of your hoop, and secure in place with glue. Give some slack for your desired length, and then secure the other end on the opposite side of your hoop.

Your monsters are set to hang out as the coolest new accessory in any little one’s room. Change up the colors -- heck, even change up the stuffies! Make one mobile for monster lovers, and another one with sugar skulls for the ultimate in alternative baby decor.

Your new mobile is sure to complement any room and style, since you can personalize it for all your needs! Add a little quirky to your cute. They make fabulous gifts too!