For this project, I set out to design a plush night light that blends my love for collectible display toys with functional lighting. I’ve always enjoyed surrounding myself with limited-edition pieces and objects that make my space feel unique, and I wanted to capture that same feeling in a handmade plush.
I’ve combined sewing, soft materials, and an LED circuit, and my goal was to create a toy that isn’t just for play, but also for display—an object that transforms into an ambient presence when lit at night.
While I started with a different idea, the process led me to relocate the LEDs and add ‘organs’ inside the plush, so that when the light is turned on, the interior details are revealed, giving the design an unexpected inner life.
1- LED Circuit
My first step was soldering the LED circuit. Since I feel more comfortable with soldering than sewing, I decided to begin there. I planned to use three LEDs for the circuit, but at first I was unsure how to properly wire multiple LEDs together. I asked my friends in the studio for guidance, and Anusha explained her workflow to me, which helped me understand the process much better.
2- Sewing
After that, I went to Jay to discuss my previous version and what I wanted to change moving forward. We talked about how to achieve a different look, and Jay suggested cutting out the fabric, both the spikes and the body of the plush, much bigger. This advice pushed me to scale up the initial design, bringing it closer to the size I wanted.
After cutting out my fabric, I began sewing. Jay guided me through the process once again, but this time I felt more comfortable and calm while working. Compared to my first attempt, I realized I was actually starting to enjoy the process—and I definitely don’t hate sewing anymore.
While sewing, I discovered a material in the studio that instantly inspired me. I decided to use it to create ‘organs’ inside the plush, which would cast intriguing shadows when the light was turned on. I hot-glued the material so it would hold the shape I wanted, and placed it inside the plush after stuffing it and installing the LED circuit.
The final design ended up being very close to the size I had envisioned, but honestly, not the design/shape I wanted from a polished version. The spikes turned out slightly bigger than I originally planned, but I think it works better than having them smaller. The organs cast a playful shadow inside the plush, adding personality and depth to the design. I genuinely enjoyed sewing this time, and while I know I still have a lot to improve on with my sewing skills, I felt confident that my work was enough to successfully complete this assignment.
