| MATERIALS NEEDED: |
STYROFOAM* Brand Foam:
Balls: 5", two; 4", one; 2-1/2", three; 2", three
Other Materials:
Acrylic paints: dark green; red
Balsa sticks, 12" x 1/2" x 1/4", two
Felt: stiffened green, 12" x 18" sheet; light green, red, 9" x 12" sheet each
Thick green yarn, 11' length
Wiggle eyes, 1", two
Green flat-back glass gems, 24
Fiberfil stuffing, small amount
Serrated knife
Candle stub or paraffin
Pencil
Ruler
Wooden skewers, several
Stiff-bristled paintbrush
Disposable palette
Water basin
Paper towels
Scissors
Low-temp glue gun and glue sticks
Thick, white craft glue
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Download pattern (36KB pdf)
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| INSTRUCTIONS: |
| 1. Wax serrated knife with candle stub or paraffin. Cut small slice from one side of 5", 4", and one 2-1/2" foam ball. With flat side to bottom, cut 2-1/2" ball (snout) in half. Cut two 2" foam balls in half (feet). Note: Remaining balls will be used for tail. |
| 2. For body, twist cut sides of 5" balls together until snug; glue to secure. Cut small slice from bottom of each 5" ball so body will rest flat on work surface. Cut small slice from upper front end of body. Twist 4" head and body together until snug; glue to secure. |
| 3. Glue flat sides of snout to front of head, mouth slightly open as shown. Use pencil to poke two nostrils into upper snout. Insert skewers into bottom of all foam pieces. |
| 4. Holding skewers, paint all dragon parts green; paint inside of mouth red. Place skewers in heavy glass or jar; let dry. |
| 5. Cut dragon patterns from felt, enlarging wing pattern as indicated. |
| 6. Cut three 1-1/4" lengths from yarn. Place dot of glue on back end of dragon's body. Use skewer tip to poke one yarn length 1/2" into body. In same way, poke free end of yarn into one 2-1/2" ball. Repeat to join remaining 2-1/2" and 2" balls to tail. Let dry. |
| 7. Cut four 8" lengths from yarn for legs. In same way as tail, glue yarn lengths into top of each foot and bottom of body. |
| 8. Use straight edge of knife to make 3/4"-deep slit down center of head, body, and tail. Gently rock knife back and forth to smooth and enlarge cut; stiffened felt should fit easily. |
| 9. Place line of white glue in center slit; insert head scales with straight edge toward front. Keeping wings folded, insert folded edge 1/2" into slit. Use knife tip to push felt firmly into cut; open wings to drape over dragon as shown. Glue remaining scales down back and tail. |
| 10. Cut four 2' lengths from yarn. Glue ends of two lengths into front and back of body, leaving one end free. Knot one end of each remaining yarn length. Poke small hole in widest part of each wing. Insert knotted yarn lengths up through wings from bottom; glue to secure. Let dry. |
| 11. When dry, hold dragon up by strings to see which side of each foot naturally faces front. Use knife to make three vertical slits in front of each foot. Place line of white glue in each slit; insert claws. |
| 12. Glue lining onto ears. Make extra-wide, 3/4"-long vertical slits in top of head for ears. Place glue in slits. Fold ears in half, lining to inside. With folded edge to back, push ears into slits. |
| 13. Make two thin horizontal slits in top of head behind ears and one in end of foam tail. Place glue in slits; insert felt horns and tail. |
| 14. Glue eyes to head and eyelids over eyes; secure with pins until dry. Glue fire inside mouth and small amount fiberfil into nostrils for smoke. |
| 15. Use glue gun to glue four glass gems to bottom of each foot to keep foot weighted down. Glue four gems to points of each wing as shown. |
| 16. Tie body strings firmly to either end of one balsa stick; glue to secure. Place second stick across and on top of first for wing strings. Tie wing strings to either end of top stick; glue to secure. Note: Ask for assistance with this step to ensure string length is adequate. |
| 17. To make dragon fly, lift top stick up and down with one hand while moving dragon forward with other hand. |
