Free Christmas Crafts

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Free Snowman Crafts:
Washcloth Snowman (or Wash Cloth Snowmen)

designed by Loretta Wood, of Lorettashoppe.com

Editor's Note:
I just fell in love with this little snowman crowd after seeing them on Loretta's site. I'm so happy that she has allowed me to share them with you! Inexpensive to make, but such a nice touch for decorating the bathroom at Christmas.

Washcloth Snowman Christmas Craft

Craft supplies you will need:

Black Chenille stems for the arms cut 2- 3”lengths & 2- 4” lengths. Small twigs can be used.

2- black 1/4" pompoms or buttons of choice

2-Wiggle-eyes 3/8"

1-Plain white washcloth, 12" x 12"

1-White Chenille stem for shaping head or use pipe cleaners, they are the right length and cheaper.

Felt or flannel for hat and scarf, red, green, or blue. A pretty knit will work also. I used a 9" length of plaid 1" wide ribbon, frayed up to 1/2" on each end and it looks good.

Chenille stem, same color as hat. (For stove-pipe hat, please see separate directions)

Beans or Polly Pellits, a scoop full, for weight to help it stand up. Omit if using for an ornament.

Fabric tack or fabric glue

Note: I find Beacon's Fabric Tack is the best and fastest drying glue for cloth.

How to:

Note: Click on photos to enlarge

Lay washcloth out flat and put a scoop of beans or polly pellits for weight in center of cloth.

Make 4 folds from opposite corners toward center, after folding, the cloth should be 3” wide.

When the folds meet at center, line them up neat and run a bead of glue along the edges, if not glued properly, the beans or polly pellits will fall out.

Put a dot of glue under the ends of each side to hold beans in. Let dry for a few seconds, Take the 2 unfolded ends and bring them up together, I put a dot of glue at the ends to help hold in place.

Fold over and take the white Chenille or pipe cleaner and wrap around to form the head, tucking the ends inside to hide, this is the back side. The face will be smooth. Add the wiggle eyes and nose of your choice. I think bright buttons are cute instead of the black (coal) pompom buttons.

I used Tulip Colorpoint Paintstitching in Tangerine to form the nose. Practice on paper first hold the bottle with the tip straight down squeeze paint to make a nice size nose and as you press on the paint slowly pull the bottle up, it will make a ring effect as you back a way and come to a point as you remove the tip. I think it works great for a nose and looks more like a carrot. I let it lay on its back over night until it is dry. It will not get hard but will be firm and won't smush.

Cut cloth of choice for hat 6”long X 2 ½’ wide, glue the short ends together to fit head. Along one edge make cuts ½” deep and about 3/16” apart to make fringe. Turn other edge up and glue in place, making a cuff about 3/8” deep. Using same color chenille stem gather fringe up close and wrap with the chenille and twist to hold and fluff out the fringe.

To enlarge and view directions for Snowman Top Hat, click on step by step photo thumbnail, shown at right.

Cut another piece of cloth of choice ¾” wide X 12” long Wrap around neck trim if too long and cut ends to make fringe. Or Take a 9" length of plaid craft ribbon and fringe each end 1/2" it looks real good. Fold in half and wrap around the neck with an over loop to hold and open the ends and put a dot of glue under the (knot) to hold in place.

Take the black chenille stems and using 1-3" and 1-4" twist together for the branches, take longer end of 4" and put glue one it and tuck into fold of body. Small clean twigs are another good alternative.

If you are making a lot of snowman, check your local department store for packs of 12" square plain white wash cloths, which might be labeled utility cloths. These are inexpensive and if you are using a lot of the washcloths, it will definitely save you money to buy in bulk.

About the Author: After Loretta Wood retired from many years in the electronics industry, her interest in making tree top angels for family and friends lead to her involvement in local area craft shows. She says that her favorite pastimes are crafts and "visiting online with crafty or not so crafty friends that I have met from all over the world." Loretta also shares some of her wonderful crafts on four web sites, which you can reach through Lorettashoppe.com