Sssssso.... cold draft ssstopper

Burrrrrr! I am cold! My apartment is soooooo drafty!, from the doors! from the windows! and my little ones want to play on the floor! Grrrrr! is more like it from this momma. But fortunately here's thisss guy delivering a HiSSSSSSS........ (well, not literally, but you get the picture) : )

And here's how you can make your own door draft stopper snake to protect you from the cold.

what you need:
.a long rectangle of fabric for the body. mine was 46" x 7" but doors come in different sizes and I trust you can use your basic math skills to decide how long and how thick you'd like it to be.

.fabric scraps for the inside of its mouth.

.fabric scrap for tongue - hopefully something that does not fray like felt

.2 buttons for eyes

.thread (scissors, small piece of paper, pen, needle, and sewing machine) : P

.rice or some other filling

} To Create {

First fold your fabric for the body in half lengthwise, then in half again lengthwise. At one end cut a curve that will be the corner of the snakes mouth to the front of its face. Unfold once so you the fabric is halved, and as you can see above on the right you will have the head shape.

Now place the body on the paper to make a template. For a seam allowance of 1/2" I put it on the edge with the corners of the snakes mouth 1/2" from the edge. Trace and cut out. Then cut two pieces for the inside of the snakes mouth. Cut a forked tongue for snakey with remaining scrap. : )

Now would be the time to sew on the eyes. (@.@) Then with the tongue centered inside the two mouth pieces sew them together with your 1/2" seam.

Now here's the tricky part. Open the body piece with right side up. Pin and sew, with the tongue down and inside, one of the matching mouth perimeters. Fold the mouth peice in half upward leaving the tongue down. Refold the body in half lengthwise right sides together. Pin and sew the second set of matching perimeters. If you start at the body fold you can continue down the side of the body in one go. ***down the body and around the mouth I used only 1/4" seam with the exception of where I tapered in.



Once you're about halfway down the length of your snake gradually taper inward going to the end until you reach it with about an inch or two open at the end. *note you want it wide enough you can pour into it your filler.

Turn out and fill ! : ) I used rice and though I think beans would work too it would be a lumpy snake, but that may be just what you want : P

After filling (which mine was solidly packed with about 6" of tail unfilled so when evenly dispersed it wasn't too hard) sew the end closed :) You could use the machine but I hand sewed and gathered to create a rounded effect when it filled.



Isn't he cute!?! Problem now is my children think it's a toy, ha ha! : P So we shall see how much door action he gets : )

please excuse my ucky apt. rug, door, and trim : )

Keep in mind you can make one of these so simply without being a snake with just a long rectangle (such as 46"x7") and it can have just as much character with a beautiful print! Express your self! I would love to see any you make too and show them! I know there are so many creative wacky print combos that would be sooooo great to see : )

BE GREEN!!!! USE LESS ENERGY! : )

Conserve even more and make one of these from something else! a pant leg, the sleeve of a big sweater, or maybe an old scarf folded in half and sewn together - if it has holes in the knit use an old t-shirt and double layer : )

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and making thissssssss : P ... I could definately see this being stuffed with cotton too and made an actual toy. And I hope this can keep your home warmer and hearts happy in this coooooold weather! lower your energy bills too : ) even keep in the cool on hot summer days !

love our earth and reduce, reuse, and recycle : )