Handmade Cotton Felt Snowman Ornaments And Coat Pins

A few days ago, my mother-in-law asked me to make her a snowman pin for her winter coat. I couldn't find a pattern that I liked so I decided to just make my own. This project is really easy to make...you can do hand sewing or use your sewing machine. (I did hand sewing). You can omit the hat and leave his head plain if desired.

Supplies Needed

scraps of cotton batting or cotton felt

scraps of homespun fabric

poly fiber fill (for stuffing)

eyes - black seed beads

nose - orange wooden toothpick or orange clay nose

needle and off-white sewing thread

all-purpose craft glue

small pom-poms

scissors

pin backs (if making pins)

gold metallic hanging cord (if making ornaments)

disappearing ink pen

Pattern:
I just free-handed a basic snowman shape measuring approximately 3 1/4" tall by 1 3/4" wide.

Batting/Felt: 
You need to cut your batting into rectangles which measure 1" on all sides bigger than your pattern.

Step 1: 
Place two batting rectangles right-sides together. Center your pattern onto the cotton batting and trace around it with a disappearing ink pen.

Step 2: 
Using a sewing needle with thread or a sewing machine, stitch directly on your traced line the whole way around your pattern. Once done, use scissors to trim close (but not on) your stitched line. Turn your snowman over to the back side and make a 1 1/2" slit in his body. Turn him right side out. Lightly stuff with poly fiberfill and hand sew the opening closed.

Step 3:
Cut a small rectangle from homespun fabric and glue one of the short edges under. Next, glue the two long edges together to form a tube. Set aside to dry. Cut a piece of homespun fabric that measures 1/4" by 5" long and tie it around the snowman's neck to form his scarf. If needed, trim the ends if they are too long.

Step 4: 
Using craft glue, adhere two tiny black seed beads to his face for eyes. For his nose, you can break off a wooden toothpick and paint it orange or you can make an orange clay carrot shaped nose.

Step 5: 
Glue the folded under short edge of your fabric tube to the top of your snowman's head as shown in the photo. You might have to hold this in place for a minute or two. Once its stable, bend over the tube and glue the other end to the side of his head along with a tiny pom-pom.

Step 6: 
If you are turning him into a holiday ornament, thread a piece of gold metallic cord through the top of his hat. If you are turning him into a coat pin, glue a metal bar pin back to his backside.

Shelly Hill is a mother and grandmother living in Pennsylvania who enjoys crafting, scrapbooking and crocheting. You can visit Shelly's online craft blog called Passionate About Crafting at http://passionateaboutcrafting.blogspot.com for free craft project ideas and tips.