How to Make Anime Out of Real Stuff

You can make your own anime characters out of real stuff.

The aesthetic of anime cartoons has become very popular and now nearly anything can be purchased with an anime-inspired decoration: from T-shirts to lunchboxes and backpacks. If you're interested in anime, and you also like to create real three-dimensional objects with your hands, you may want to combine your interests by making your own anime characters out of real stuff. With the right preparation, you can create your own three-dimensional anime characters in an afternoon.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Paper
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Pins
• Fabric scissors
• Fabric scraps
• Batting material (optional)
• Needle and thread
• Fabric glue
• Fabric markers

Instructions

1. Lay out a sheet of newspaper to protect your working area from any spilled fabric glue.

2. Draw test outlines for three-dimensional anime characters with a pencil and paper. If you have a favorite anime comic book or website, you can use these sources for ideas---or just make up your own anime character. Don't worry about drawing an anime character too precisely---all you need is a simple outline to use as a template. Keep the outline of your character smooth, and avoid sharp turns and jagged edges.

3. Cut out your best paper outline, and pin the template to two pieces of fabric scrap. Cut the fabric pieces together with a pair of fabric scissors.

4. Sew the two fabric pieces together along one edge and stuff the space between the pieces with batting material or additional fabric scraps. Sew up the stuffed anime character.

5. Cut out additional fabric shapes to serve as clothing, hair and accessories. Since anime cartoons often clash flat areas of color and pattern against each other to generate visual excitement, you can mimic this effect by combining different types of bold patterns.

6. Glue the additional fabric shapes into place on your anime character with fabric glue. Allow the glue to dry for two minutes before continuing.

7. Add facial features and clothing details with fabric markers to complete your three-dimensional anime character. In the tradition of classic anime cartoons, add exaggeratedly large eyes to your character with fabric marker. Alternatively, cut out additional fabric shapes for the eyes and glue them in place.

References

• Skip to my Lou: Fabric Scrap Dolls