My son was so excited for this project; he requested a stuffed animal that he could help sew and then sleep with so I created the snuggle snake! This post was sponsored by Sulky; they sent me materials and compensated me for my time, but I’ve been posting about my love for their products for years. Keep reading to learn about the product, Stick n Stitch (also known as Fabri-Solvy, you can buy it on Amazon or on Sulky’s website*), they make that is perfect for teaching kids how to sew, it’s the easiest way to transfer a hand embroidery pattern or they can write right on it.
After printing the pattern off, you stitch right through it, making it super easy to follow and see. The material stabilizes the fabric so it doesn’t wiggle or stretch while you’re stitching. Because of this, I skipped the hoop, although you could use one if you preferred.
I included two simple designs for the backs of the snake. You can tailor this pattern depending on your kid’s age and level of interest, letting them just stitch the back, just help you pick colors, or sew the entire thing from start to finish.
Aren’t they cute? They fit perfectly in a pocket. Please use common sense when working with buttons! Embroider the eyeballs if the snake is intended for anyone young enough to potentially chew the buttons off.
I think Sulky’s cotton petites (you can buy it on Amazon or on Sulky’s website) are great for kids to embroider with because it’s not as fussy. No pulling out three strands, no tangles, it is just a single thread. You can double it up for a thicker effect, but I used a single strand for this project and it is plenty visible.
Perfect for a squeeze! They would make an adorable cold pack, too, filled with rice.
The best part? They’re made from the kids’ old, unsalvageable tshirts! Super soft, upcycled, and fun to sew with kids. It doesn’t get much better than that!
Step 1- Print out your pattern on the Stick n’ Stitch, you want the ink on the bumpy side. Cut roughly around the design you’d like and stick it to the fabric. Sew or embroider the eyes on!
Step 2- Embroider the back! Use your Sulky Petite Cotton thread to experiment with different stitches or follow the provided designs. Younger kids could also color this part and have you sew it up for them to enjoy.
Step 3- Cut roughly around a tongue, stick it to the felt, cut out the tongue on the pattern lines, and peel the pattern layer off.
Step 4- Cut another chunk of fabric that will be the back of the snake. Center your tongue in between the layers and make sure it will go past the sewing outline. Use pins to hold the layers together.
Step 5- Starting at the dotted line, take a few stitches back and forth to secure and then slowly sew around, following the snake’s outline and stopping at the other dotted line. This will leave a small space.
Step 6- A better shot of the space leftover, this is so you can fill it with stuffing!
Step 7- Fill with stuffing or poly pellets gently pushing it up to the head and down to the tail. I recommend not packing it super tight, which will make sewing the opening shut harder. Once it is full of stuffing, you’ll go back and sew over the opening along the line to full enclose the stuffing.
Step 8- Next you’re going to trim around the edges, roughly 1/4″ away from the line you stitched. Be sure to trim super carefully around the tongue, cutting through one layer at a time to avoid cutting it off.
Step 9- Time to wash the pattern away! Use hot water and gently agitate the snake underneath, If it feels sticky or you see any dots of ink, keep rinsing. Let it dry and start playing!
What do you think, would your kids like the snuggle snakes?