To find the downloadable patterns click on the "GET PATTERNS" tab above.
Size: child small. Print templates. Cut one 13" circle with head hole out of cardboard. Use Power Tac to adhere cardboard centered on one side of foam wreath. Set aside. Transfer pattern to cushion foam using pen. Cut with electric carving knife. Apply Contact Cement, using a foam brush, to both sides of bulge and straight vertical edges of lower curves. When Contact Cement is tacky press edges together matching top point of side bulge with top corner of lower curve panels. Hold edges together with Quilters Pins set through seam at a diagonal until glue set. Apply Contact Cement to angled sides between front and back (edges by center line on scale drawing). Press and secure with pins. Apply Contact Cement to right lower curve top edge, (right lower curve panel directly under front on scale drawing) and bottom edge of front. Press and secure with pins. Repeat with opposite lower curve panel and back.
Cut grey cotton larger than front/back (the fabric may be wrinkled for texture and additional height top and bottom to wrap around to the back of the foam). Spray adhesive to foam and fabric. Attach wrinkled fabric onto front/back. Cut into centers of arm holes. Cut so fabric will lay splayed to back of holes with 1" of fabric on back. Additional spray adhesive may be necessary. Repeat for bottom edges of lower curve. Trim fabric on angled sides of front and back to foam edge.
Optional: Cut felt to cover fabric wrapped to inside of tornado. Cut two ovals. Place the arm hole template on felt. Cut felt 2 1/2" larger than arm hole. Cut out arm hole center. Cut one in half and hot glue each onto back of foam to create a finished edge inside tornado. Repeat with 4" wide strips inside the bottom edge of the tornado.
Glue the side edges together above the arm hole and to 4" above the bottom edge of the front/back. Use Power Tac to glue the wreath into the top of the tornado. Place cardboard side up. Line up top of cardboard with top edge of front and 2" down from top of taper at back. Align sides of head hole with centers of arm holes (line one side up with visible seam on side). Spray adhesive to excess edge fabric at top edge of foam. Wrap to cardboard. Cut 13" diameter circle of felt. Hot glue centered on top of cardboard. Cut into center to wrap felt around to the inside of the neck hole. Hot glue in place.
Test fit the tornado. Widen the bottom opening by cutting the foam close to the side seam.
Optional: If cushion foam is visible at side joint cover with an irregular cut of grey cotton attached with spray adhesive.
Cut widths of cotton and tulle to spiral around tornado. Cut 3" - 10" widths, random lengths. Start at the highest point of the back top. Hot glue the ends of cotton wrapped in tulle. Twist fabrics and hot glue to the foam frame every 4" - 6". Keep the spirals loose. Reduce the width of the fabric twists and decrease the distance between spirals as the twists continue to the bottom point.
Optional: For higher contrast between the twists of fabric add small lines of black spray paint. Add additional layers of tulle woven around the twists of fabric.
Add assorted small animals, plants or any other small toys that represent items from a landscape picked up by the tornado. Strap items under twists of fabric. Use hot glue to keep items in place.
JOANN HACKS:
Keep the twists of fabric tight to the frame under the arm holes.
Ensure that all small toys are placed in locations that do not interfere with any motion that will occur when wearing costume.