Snail Costume- Shell and Headband

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Sewing Machine
• Sewing Notions
• Embroidery Floss, Contrast Color to Shell Fabric, 1
• Rotary Cutter & Cutting Board
• Quilters Rule, 2'
• Marking Pen or Tailors Chalk
• Hot Glue Gun/Glue Gun Sticks
• Chopstick or Dowel
• Cardboard circle, 2 1/2", 1
• Wire, 12-18 gauge, 9", 1
• Foam Balls, 1 8/10", 2
• Foam sheet, 1/8" thick, 13"x 15" (shell back) & 2 @ 1x 20" (straps: see hacks)
• Poly-Fil, 32 oz. bag, 1
• Thin Cord (micro cord for beading works well), Contrast Color to Shell Fabric, 12' and Safety Pin or Gathering Foot
• Headband, Similar Color to Dress Fabric
• Muslin, 1 @ 11"x 7' 6" (shell), 2 @ 7" x 7 1/4" (antenna)
• Shell Fabric, Stretch, Contrast Dress Fabric, 1 @ 1'x 10' (may be pieced together keeping directional print consistent)
• Dress Fabric, Stretch, 1 @ 13"x 15" (shell back), 2 @ 4"x 21" (straps), 2 @ 2"x 7" (loops), 2 @ 7" H x 7 1/4" W (antenna)
• Optional: Fabric Clips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Fold 7' 6" length of muslin wrong sides out to 5 1/2" wide at one end and taper to 2" wide at opposite end.
2. Sew 1/2" seam allowance leaving the 5 1/2" end open and curving the 2" end.
3. Trim curved end.
4. Turn right sides out.
5. Fill with Poly Fil (see hack).
6. Close the open end with the 2 1/2" cardboard circle.
7. Hot glue the raw edges of muslin around the edge of the circle.
8. Fold a 10' length of shell fabric wrong sides out to 6" wide at one end and taper to 2" wide at opposite end.
9. Knot the end of thin cord onto safety pin.
10. Sew a long, wide zig zag stitch over the cord, without catching the cord in the stitches.
11. Sew 1/2" seam allowance starting at the 2" end of fabric and leaving the 6" end open.
12. Leave the safety pin end of cord out 6" from beginning of stitching.
13. When stitching is finished remove the safety pin and knot the cord on itself, through the first few zig zag stitches.
14. Turn right sides out.
15. Insert the muslin stuffed tube inside.
16. Pull the cord to gather the outer fabric and knot end.
17. Hot glue the open end over the muslin on the cardboard circle.
18. With double thread embroidery floss sew the tube into a spiral.
19. Keep the cording gathered edge toward one side, the back.
20. Sew a running stitch on the back to hold spirals together.
21. Knot often.
22. Start in the center and twist the 2" end of tube tight to itself.
23. At cardboard circle end pull tube so cardboard lays flat with back of largest spiral.
24. Flip often to check that the front gathers are consistent and center spirals are slightly elevated.

1. Foam, 2 @ 1"x 20", Dress fabric, 2 @ 4" wide x 21" long.
2. Lay fabric wrong side up.
3. Lay foam 1/2" from one long edge.
4. Sew zig zag stitch 1/4" from folded edge.
5. Fold short end in. Wrap remaining length of fabric around foam folding raw edge in.
6. Folded edges will be flush.
7. Sew on top of 1/4" seam allowance, around the folded short end and back up the opposite side.
8. Repeat.
9. Set aside.

1. Dress fabric, 2 @ 2"x 7". Fold both long raw edges to center then fold in half.
2. Sew zig zag stitch over center.
3. Fold in half lengthwise.
4. Overlap 3/4" from raw ends.
5. Stitch overlap. Repeat.
6. Set aside.
7. Cut pattern for 1/8" foam back.
8. Cut dress fabric approximately 3/4" wider on all edges.
9. Layer fabric right sides up on foam. Pin or fabric clip edges together.
10. Alternate method of attachment in hacks.
11. Lift one side of fabric at a time and hot glue layers together.
12. Flip over and hot glue raw edges of fabric to back of foam.
13. Lay foam back over back of shell. Markings are indicated on template for approximate locations for straps and loops.
14. Hand stitch straps and loops to shell back. Test fit the foam/fabric backing to ensure that all stitching will be covered.
15. Hot glue back onto shell. Glue cardboard area first then center bottom.
16. Add Poly-Fil to fill cavity between shell and backing foam/fabric.
17. Finish attaching back with hot glue.
18. Single knot the straps through the corresponding loops.

1. Find center of 9" wire.
2. Measure out 1" from center and bend.
3. Repeat. Mark 3/4" down from both cut ends of wire (depth to insert foam balls).
4. Hot glue center 2" of wire to center of outer edge of headband.
5. Cut template pattern, 2 muslin and 2 stretch dress fabric.
6. Muslin right sides together sew at marks 1/4" seam allowance.
7. Notch curves.
8. Turn right sides out.
9. Match center of muslin with center of headband.
10. Wrap bottom edge of muslin around headband and glue bottom 3/4 muslin inside of headband.
11. Stuff muslin with Poly-Fil to 3/4" mark on wires.
12. Insert balls onto wires.
13. Remove balls, apply hot glue into holes in balls and reinsert to 3/4" marks.
14. Pull muslin tight and flat onto balls. Attach with hot glue.
15. Right sides together, sew 1/4" seam allowance dress fabric sleeve for antenna.
16. Start and stop stitching 3/4" up from outer corners. Leave bottom curve open.
17. Trim seams.
18. Turn right sides out.
19. Insert muslin antenna form inside dress fabric sleeve.
20. Settle seams to one side.
21. Fold under sleeve raw edges on outside top edges of headband and glue.
22. Hot glue bottom curved edges inside of headband.

JOANN HACKS:

• Alternate method for foam backing of shell: Topstitch 1/4" from edges and spiral a line of stitching to the center of the back to hold foam to dress fabric.
• Test fit the shell on back of person prior to cutting fabric for straps. Use a sewing tape measure to determine suitable length. The loops will stretch.