I teach high school. For mole day (10-23, since a mole is 6.22 * 10^23) the science classes have the kids make moles, and they give them cute names: Frosty the Moleman, Molerina, Molan, and dress them up accordingly.

A student asked me to help her make the mole and I'm not familiar with 3-D sewn objects. For the link below, it's the original teacher's assignment. Our kids were just given the 3rd page pattern without any INSTRUCTIONS (since why would you need more than just a pattern?? :roll: ) or the 2nd page of templates with the pattern reversed, so I've found more than the kids have.

My questions - What type of fabric should be used - cotton vs felt? I had originally thought cotton makes the most sense but someone else said felt is better.

Does it make sense to glue it? Especially if it's felt, it seems like glue would be easier/faster?

For the body of the mole - you cut 2 pieces and sewn them together. I was thinking I should lay the piece on the fabric fold with the "spine" on the fold, cut accordingly, and open it up - and tada - 2 halves of the body already sewn together. Does that seem crazy enough to work?

Any help is appreciated! Thank you all so much!

http://my.ccsd.net/userdocs/document...q5rZmv3y3S.pdf

Hi. This looks like it can easily be made with either cotton or felt. If you will be working with the student then I say go ahead and sew with the cotton if not have them sew ( or fabric glue) it with felt.

Your idea for the spine will work for one side but it's whole body needs to be stuffed.

Oh if glue is used make sure it is something like Alene's.

He's cute!!! I suggest having them sew it.....it gives the opportunity to teach someone to sew,,,a little anyway!

I couldn't get your link to open at first and found these instructions.
This may be too complicated for you. Just take a look
and see if it will work. I think you could use fabric glue if you don't have access to machines.

http://www.ehow.com/how_6550736_make-mole-doll.html

:thumbup:

You can't cut a curved seam on the fold. Poor little mole would have a deformed spine. I would suggest using felt and doing it as a class project. The body seams can be handsewn without a concern about raw edges - whipstitching can look cute, then the features can be glued on or sewn on by hand. Giving the mole his own personality could be done outside of class.

Oops, I just reread your post. It's not your class. I'd still recommend felt with sewing the major seams and gluing the features, then your student can personalize it on her own.

Dunno about the quilting, but isn't a mole 6.02 X 10^23?

I remember my kids making these in high school! I think they used glue.

On second thought, I think one of them used glue and the other one sewed hers.

We have a real one to donate gladly from Oregon! It's in my front yard and making a mess of the barkdust!

My niece used moleskin, found in the footcare section of the drug store. I though it was funny, her mom didn't

I had to make a platapus for my DD. (Stuffed toy exchange for dance team) I took the pattern and enlarged it on the printer, taped it together and used fleece. It was sooooo fun to see her friend's face when she opened it. Took two bags of stuffing to fill it up. You could do something crazy like enlarge it, or even make several smaller ones.

the pattern suggest a stretchy fabric like sweatshirts so it can be stuffed easier


I don't think glue will hold it good enough for the stuffing and a little hand sewing won't be too bad...they could use embroidery floss so it's easier too.

I'd use felt for the feet and hands though

You could also soft sculpture a stuffed pair of tights into a mole I'd think too.

Have fun

would glady give you ALL the moles in my gardens

I teach them how to make quilt blocks in December, so that's taken care of. But I actually give them INSTRUCTIONS and TIME - it's ahead of this teacher

[quote=irishrose]You can't cut a curved seam on the fold. Poor little mole would have a deformed spine. [quote]

Got it - thanks! Makes perfect sense now :)

Ugg, was I off? I do math not science. I just know mole day is 10-23 since all the kids were having parties in science on Monday 10-24 :D

Thanks everyone. I've extended an open invitation to all of the sophomores to come if they need help. I don't know how many will accept but I feel soooooooo much better now. You're all awesome - thanks!