How to Make a Clothespin Toy Soldier

Copyright © 2002-2011 Jane Lake All Rights Reserved

Some people might call this little guy a clothes peg toy soldier, or a clothespeg ornament, but whichever name you give to those wooden clamps used to hold wet clothes to a laundry line, you'll want to liberate a few for the craft table to make this cute toy soldier Christmas ornament.

This homemade decoration is so simple that you almost don't need written instructions. He would make a great tree trim, and is an excellent Christmas craft for one child or a group.

Craft supplies:

• Round top clothes pin
• Black and red paints
• Black and red markers
• Thin gold cord
• Small black pom pom
• Tiny red pom pom
• Small black beads - a seed bead would work, or any tiny black circles to use as buttons
• Scraps of black felt
• Craft glue

Clothespin Toy Soldier -Craft Instructions:

Paint the bottom of the clothes pin red. Paint the upper section black. Allow to dry.

Using the side picture as a guide, cut two sections of felt for the arms. Start with a rectangle, round off one end for the bottom of the arm, and cut a slight diagonal line at the top. Glue arms to the sides of the soldier.

Glue the small black pom pom on the top of the head for a hat. Glue the tiny red pom pom on the top of the black one for accent.

Cut a small section of gold braid to use as a chin strap for the hat. Glue in place as shown in the photos.

Cut two sections of gold braid to fit down the side of the legs and glue in place as shown.

Glue two beads on the soldier's front as buttons. Glue a circular section of braid to the back, as shown, and embellish with more "buttons."

With the black marker, make small dots for the eyes. Use the red marker to make a small dot for the mouth. You could add a black moustache if you wish.

That's it! A miniature toy soldier to hang on your tree!

Use your imagination to add extras - you could position the arms to hold a tiny drum, or a flute, or even a tiny Christmas package for the soldier to hold.

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