bitsandpieces: easy squeezey boa constrictor scarf

A little more advanced than the last project,

but don't worry beginners, it's still a cinch.

You will need:

1/4 yard each of two different colors anti-pill fleece
2 green buttons (I used 5/8")
scrap of 5/8" wide red ribbon (I used a felt ribbon so it won't fray)
basic sewing supplies
sewing machine

Trim fleece to a 6" strip with both colors.

Cut 6" strip into 9" pieces.
(some of you may be thinking, "why didn't we just leave the strip at it's original 9" width and cut 6" strips instead?" Well you're sharp, but here's why:

this keeps the stretch of the fabric going around the neck, where it can useful.)

Continue cutting with both colors until you have 5 pieces of white
and 4 pieces of black. You will start and end with white.
This will make an approx. 50" scarf, a good size for a younger child.
Add more pieces for an older child.

Copy this template. This will be the snake's head.

Enlarge or reduce the image so the bottom edge measure 4 1/2",

And the top to bottom edge measures 6".

Fold one of the white pieces in half so it measures 4 1/2" x 6".
Place template on piece and cut around. Do NOT cut the fold.

It should look like a mutant two-headed snake.

Center your ribbon scrap on one head's "mouth" and stitch.

Starting with the bottom edge of the head, sew the strips together along the 9" edge alternating colors.

Be sure to sew right sides together

(remember anti-pill fleece has kind of a fur on the right side?)

Use up all your strips. Does it look like this?

Now fold it in half with the stitching and wrong sides of fabric facing out. Pin the edges.

At the bottom of the scarf, cut the last strip to a point.

Starting with the head, sew along the raw edge. You should be starting on the fold side of the scarf and wrapping around to the raw edge side. Sew all the way down the to tail.

Leave the short cut edge of the point open for turning.

Turn the scarf right side out through the opening in the tail.

Press it flat and hand stitch the opening shut.

Sew on the eyes and fork the tongue. I turned my buttons sideways so the holes would look like snake pupils. (If you're using a ribbon that will fray, you may want to fray check the cut edge.)