1. Soft Sculpture:
Creepy Cuddly Critters

2. What is Soft Sculpture?
• Made using cloth, plastic, paper, fibers and similar
material that are supple and non-rigid.
• Usually created by manipulating fabric into a 3D shape
with any number of binding and filling processes.
• Claes Oldenburg
popularized soft
sculpture in the
1960's with soft
everyday objects
such as a fan, light
switch and food.

3. Claes Oldenburg

5. What is a Comfort Object?
• Item used to provide psychological comfort,
especially in unusual or unique situations, or
at bedtime for small children.
• Among toddlers, comfort objects may take
the form of a blanket, stuffed animal, or
favorite toy.

6. Your Activity
You will create a soft sculpture
critter using found fabrics and
fiber materials.
Your critter should be
something scary or creepy
that becomes a soft, comfort
item.

7. Research soft sculpture art using the links below, or
other sites you find in your own research.
http://peepwool.com/page/peepwool
http://www.kreepydollfactory.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/weirdbuglady
http://www.abbyglassenberg.com/
http://www.softsculpture.co.uk/
http://www.naughtymonsters.com/
http://www.nga.gov.au/EXHIBITION/softsculpture/Defa
ult.cfm
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Sew./

8. Worksheets
Worksheet #1: Brainstorming & Sketching.
 List 10 creatures, animals, people… that are creepy or scary.
 For each, do small thumbnail sketches of how you could turn
them into 3D soft sculptures.
 Print visual references for your best 3 or 4 ideas.
Worksheet #2: Final Drawing & Materials Plan.
 Choose best idea.
 Complete 3 different drawings from 3 different angles.
 Drawings should have some detail and be in color.
 Develop a list of materials you will use and where will you
get them.
 Be specific and considering sharing with classmates.

9. Basic Hand Sewing Demonstration
 tools needed
 threading the needle
 knotting the thread
 various types of stitches
 finishing with knots
 creating a pattern

10. Worksheets
Complete Worksheet #4: Name & Story.
 Give your critter a name and a background story.
 Can be as funny or as serious as you wish.
 Must be at least 3 complete, well-written sentences.
Bunnyeye
Bet his eye in a poker game, and won,
then accidentally poked it out while
picking a carrot. That makes him sad.

11. Requirements
• Worksheet #1 – Brainstorming & Sketching
• Reference images
• Worksheet #2 – Final Drawing & Materials Plan
• Worksheet #3 – Name & Story
• Create final soft sculpture critter using a high
level of creativity, care and craftsmanship

12. TODAY!
• Finish Worksheet #1 – Research & Sketch
• Print References
• Finish Worksheet #2 –Drawing & Plan
• Bring in old clothes, fabric & notions for next
class

13. Questions?
Examples?

14. Weird Bug Lady

15. Weird Bug Lady

16. Weird Bug Lady

17. Emma O’Brien

18. Emma O’Brien

19. Emma O’Brien

20. Abby Glassenberg

21. Abby Glassenberg

22. Abby Glassenberg

23. Abby Glassenberg

24. Abby Glassenberg

25. Abby Glassenberg

26. Abby Glassenberg

27. Bruzo
For breakfast he eats his lunch
for lunch he eats dinner for
dinner he eats a living creature,
and for desert he eats breakfast
then for a snack he eats rocks
and marbles.
Steve’s Addiction
Steve is addicted to art.
Kreepy Doll Factory

28. Mr. Spotted Frog
B&W and cool as H.
Motzart
Poofy yet sad fellow.
Kreepy Doll Factory

29. Anvil Man
Head banging to heavy metal.
Hericules
Strongest thing to ever wear
pink houndstooth.
Kreepy Doll Factory

30. Grandma and her Poodle
Peep Wool

31. Swimmer with Floatys
Peep Wool

32. Balloon Guy
Peep Wool

33. Licker
Peep Wool