How to Make a Draft Snake

Updating this old post to make it a little more pinterest friendly.  I originally published this in February 2012 which means that my now 8 year old was only 5 then.  He looks so cute and little in the pictures.  How do they grow up so fast? 

The other day I noticed a draft by the front door so my oldest and I decided we would make a draft snake.  We used materials we already had and recycled some of my husband's old jeans for fabric.  I always save his old jeans when he is done with them so I can reuse the fabric for sewing projects.  This was a fun project to complete with my son.  He helped me measure the door and the fabric.  He also helped fill the snake with beans and fabric scraps.  Then my husband drew scale patterns on the snake's back and they both colored them in.  

Materials Needed:

Measuring Tape
Small piece of felt for the tongue
Two buttons for eyes (I save the extra buttons that come with new clothes)
Long piece of fabric for snake body
Dry beans and fabric scraps for filling
T-shirt markers if you want to draw scale patterns


Directions:

1.  Measure your door to see how much fabric you will need.  Then measure and cut the fabric adding a few inches.  I measured my door at 32 inches and added 4 inches making my fabric legnth 36 inches.  I did not measure the width of the fabric.  I just cut as wide as I thought would work for the snake.  You only need to cut one piece of fabric because you can fold it to make a tube for the snake's body.  

2.  Fold your cut fabric so that the wrong side is out and sew along the bottom and side.  Then turn the fabric so that the right side is out and you have a tube with one open end.  Trim the open end so that it has a curved shape like a snake's mouth.  

3.  Sew two buttons onto what will be the snake's head.  Cut a tongue shape out of your felt and sew it into the bottom of what will be the snake's mouth.  

4.  Fill the snake with dry beans and fabric scraps.  The more beans you use, the heavier it will be so add some fabric scraps unless you want a 10 pound snake.  

5.  Leave a little room at the top so that you can sew the mouth shut.  You may need to have someone hold the snake for you if you sew this part on a sewing machine.  I sewed the mouth shut with a zigzag stitch twice to make sure that it was very secure.  You could also hand sew this part.  

6.  If you would like to make a scale pattern on the snake's back draw a simple pattern with t-shirt or other fabric markers.  Color in the scales or let your children have fun coloring.  


Linking up at Create with Joy, Best Mom Advice, Friendship Friday, Share the Wealth