Build-A-Bionicle Mini MNOG Plush Dolls-Hewkii & Macku

[Mushy the Mushroom]

(Version III): Printable Pattern and Tutorial Variant.

 

After discovering an image of the MNOG Macku doll thanks to BS01, I decided to attempt an accurate set of the dolls. But with bonus bellybuttons for added fun! 

 

I believe I made over +4? test subjects with major alterations while comparing my plush shapes to BS01 images in a collage app. Then two actual fabric test version pairs. And the final set of six! One oddball darker Hewkii due to limited fabric. Fabric is mainly upcycled from formal wear pants/jackets/skirts. Leather eyes from jacket, some new fabrics and fresh and fluffy poly-fill. 

 

The assembly on these 12 took ~180hrs total over two months. So about 30hrs per pair. 

Updated Instructable with free printable pattern & tutorial (updated portion begins at Step 40, all info & images over there.):

I have not tested this Version III pattern scaled to 100%, as I opted for a bigger batch.

https://www.instructables.com/Hewkii-Macku-Dolls-BIONICLE-MNOG-Inspired-Plush-To/ For non-commercial/personal use only, please. All characters are copyright of LEGO. 

Some small material abnormalities on a couple of these due to upcycled fabric, as well as the difficulty of detail work in the mini size (I’m afraid a little lopsided in some!). Some of my ladderstitches and knots are possibly peeking out also! Oh well, apologies for imperfect execution, but sewn with love!  Made as gifts. I'm keeping 1 pair for possible future sewing reference. (Done over the sickest months in my life I’ve ever somehow survived. Medical emergencies & a daily downhill health spiral. Started as a distraction, and I daresay the endeavor has hugely helped keep me alive while driving me a bit mad!) Thank you to this community for being so inspiring. Would love to see if anyone tries the pattern, especially at full size!  Best wishes for you from the Build-A-Bionicle crew!

Small photo video of the messy drafting, test version and final make process. Image credit to BZPower and BS01. Pictures of my past H&M versions also prior to proper reference/knowledge of the MNOG dolls. 

 

 

 

 

Links to my previous attempts:

V1:

V2:

 

Edited October 30, 2023 by Mushy the Mushroom
Shorts video added!

[confused piraka]

I NEED ONE!

but greg says no

[Daler99]

These are amazing; I love them!  You’ve done an amazing job!  Thanks for providing the patterns; it’s really cool to see how to make something like this and it might be fun to try to make one myself! 

[BULiK]

Wow, that's impressive - both in the precise recreation of the proportions/scale of the in-game screenshots, and just how many of them you made. That's an army!

I always loved these little items in the game and wondered if somebody would make them. They're really the perfect item from that era to bring into full-scale reality. I'm still shocked by how much they look exactly how you would imagine they would from playing the game. Kudos for the commitment to improving them through iteration - and sharing your work with a tutorial.

Edited November 8, 2023 by BULiK

[JesmondToaOfFood]

Id love to buy a pair!! can I?

[Mushy the Mushroom]

 I am immensely grateful & joyfully speechless by each and every one’s sweet replies here, thank you for the kind & thoughtful words! Thank you for taking the time to view at all! 

On 11/10/2023 at 9:57 AM, JesmondToaOfFood said:

Id love to buy a pair!! can I?

Hi and welcome to BZP! Aw, thanks bunches for your interest! I’m so sorry, but these were made for the sole purpose of gifts, & teaching the trade- an attempt to empower individuals to create their own. I’ve gotten lots of sweet requests for purchase which I’ve attempted to privately reply to, but I suppose I should say it in-topic.

The top three reasons why they aren’t sellable:

1: LEGO owns the character designs- Using their brand for commercial purposes would violate copyright laws and could land one in legal trouble. I believe the only way I could sell these is if I got permission from the LEGO company, or if they wanted to partner/purchase the handmade patten designs from me for use in real factory-production. 

2:They are incredibly time-consuming and complex to assemble, and thus pricing could not be affordable.  If I sold them at a decent hourly pay or even low “fair-trade” pricing, I doubt many could enjoy them. Each of these mini pairs took me 30hrs to create-in spite of years of sewing experience/researching on advanced techniques and using “assembly line” sewing methods.

3: I am a disabled/chronically ill artist & do not feel comfortable selling my creations. In past years prior to further heath decline, I created a tiny Etsy shop…but not because I liked selling. It gave me so much anxiety over my work quality, I undercharged for everything given the intricate hours put in (design work, supply purchase, assembly, listings, customer questions, social media ad posts, photos, packing & mailing) and I am not a business-brain. I was so horrible at “marketing” and making anyone want my work. Honestly, the shop was a feeble, fearful attempt to not feel like a burden to my parents, given being disabled and medically homebound. It was a huge relief to close it down and focus on art-gifts (which are my true love!), along with occasional tutorials. I hope they can make a way for others to enjoy my little designs, if they actually like them-I so wish I could magically make art gifts for all, haha! 

As for these H&M dolls, all the versions were gifts sparked when someone attempted to commission a set in early 2022. (I had no idea what the H&M MNOG a dolls were, as one can tell from my first attempts).

Of the six seen here, I kept a set for future assembly/sewing stitch reference, and am Christmas gifting one pair to my kind brother. 

Four of their fates remain a mystery...even to me! Keep watch on BZPower to (hopefully) one day see! (https://www.bzpower.com/topic/35667-bionicle-arts-and-crafts-redux/) 

Thanks again, everyone, and best wishes!

Edited November 11, 2023 by Mushy the Mushroom