How to Make a Small Fabric Snail: A Tutorial

Remember these little guys from the other day. They were so quick and easy to make I decided to write a tutorial so you can make some of your own. Here is what you will need : a small strip of fabric or you could also use wide trim or lace, a small piece of rope, crochet cotton , sewing thread, a safety pin , fine crochet hook , scissors and a needle.

Cut a strip of fabric about 7 inches long and 1 inch wide.

Fold the strip in two length wise and with your sewing machine sew it together with a small seam allowance.

Turn this right side out. I usually use a safety pin to do this.

Now cut a piece of rope the same length and run it through the fabric tube using a safety pin on one end.

Thread a needle with some neutral thread and make a few stitches at one end fastening the fabric to the rope.

Now bend the fabric covered rope to start to form a coil and sew through the fabric and the rope to firmly attach them as you go.

Keep doing this until you reach the end of your rope, literally not figuratively.

Trim the rope, this will be where you will attach the head end of the felt base.

Cut a snail like base shape out of felt in any color to match your fabric. It should be longer than the length of your coil so that the head and tail ends protrude.

Place the end of the rope part of the coil just behind the head part of the felt base and attach with a few small stitches.

Make a few more attaching stitches along the mid section of the base attaching it to the coil (shell).

If you don't know how to crochet you could leave it like this or add some little embroidered eyes.

If you do know how to crochet continue on to make the antennae.

Make three chain stitches and then join them to the first stitch. This makes a little bobble for the eye. Continue to make about 15 chain stitches and then make another bobble on that end by joining the last stitch to the third stitch from the end.

Sew in the ends of the cotton thread and then trim. The antennae are complete.

With a few tiny stitches attach the antennae to the head portion of the snail . You can see the placement from this view.

There now you are all done and you can admire your new little friend.

Better keep an eye on her because they like to wander off in search of green moist places.

I think she was looking for the garden snails but they were all hanging out in the flowers today.

But wait one of the garden snails is checking out the felt raspberries I made today.

I hope you all have a great start to your week!!!

Comments

[Jess]

Hi! I am loving reading your blog! (found through Whipup) I too love snails, although not when they are eating our veggies! I thought you might like to check out my snail adventure from last year! http://loveohmy.blogspot.com/2007/11/snail-hunting-crafting-and-more.html
Canadian snails look alot prettier than New Zealand snails! My SIL is Canadian, from Saskatchewen (sp? sorry!)

[Berlinswhimsy]

I love your little snails! Both the real ones and your pretty version, too...

[Elsita :)]

Thank you so much Margie for the snail tutorial!!! I definitely want to do this project with Natalie, it is just perfect because you can make it quickly, it is really easy :) Natalie is going to love it!!!!
eLSITA :)