A MEMBER of the Family and Consumer Science Class at Richmond Middle School, seventh-grader Ben Curtis works to build a monster.

CREATING a stuffed creature begins with the face. Sebastian Sveistrup sews on the cuddly creature’s eyes and lips.

THIS TRIO of fun little guys – all of them are handmade felt monsters – consists of creations from Shari Donaldson’s Family and Consumer Science Class at Richmond Middle School. Putting together the creatures teaches students a life skill, sewing. At the same time, it gives them a project that adds joy to learning.

SEVENTH-grader Aubree Petula shows off her one-eyed monster.

ON A DIFFERENT project, Lillyan Ahart sews a tictac-toe game bag.

EIGHTH-GRADERS Lochlan Steele and Noah Spratt know what to do with a needle and thread in teacher Shari Donaldson’s Family and Consumer Science Class at Richmond Middle School.