Patriotic Chenille Uncle Sam Figures

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Patriotic Chenille Uncle Sam Figures

Celebrate July 4th and our country's 250th anniversary by crafting a set of chenille Uncle Sam figures. Built using chenille cording, Dresden trims, spun cotton heads and festive accoutrements, these delightful gentlemen are beyond charming and add a whimsical touch of patriotism to festive celebrations. Completed figures are about 4-1/2" tall.

History of an American Icon: Did you know that Uncle Sam was based on a real person? Meatpacker Samuel Wilson, from Troy, New York, supplied rations to the US Army during the war of 1812 and stamped barrels with "US" for United States; soldiers joked that the initials stood for "Uncle Sam". In 1961, Congress officially recognized Samuel Wilson as the "progenitor of America's national symbol". It's worth noting that the classic image we recognize as Uncle Sam -- white beard, star-spangled hat -- was developed by political cartoonists and made especially famous by the 1917 "I Want You" Army recruitment poster.

Supplies:

8mm chenille cording in Cobalt Blue

14mm chenille cording in Red

Spun Cotton Heads SC111

Dresden Trims: dark blue bows DFW782DKB, red border DFW195R, silver star border DFW45

USA Flag Picks

Red Top Hats HAT-04-R
Crepe Paper in White DCP-3300

Scissors

Clear Drying Craft Glue like Alleen's

Vest Template

Optional for adding a hanger: Dremel Tool, 1/8" Velvet Ribbon

Template: Click here to download a free pdf of our Uncle Sam Vest Template. (Print at "actual size.")

Supply Tip: To make 5 figures requires 2 yards of red chenille cording and 1 yard of blue chenille cording. Some will be left over.

Step 1: Add a Hat Band. Glue a small strip of starry silver Dresden trim around the hat. Let dry.

Step 2: Form the Body. Cut (1) 4-1/4" piece of blue chenille and (1) 8-1/2" piece of red chenille cord. Bend 8-1/2" piece in half. Place 4-1/2" piece in bend. Hold securely and twist red piece 3-4 times to form body. Pinch top of bend at "neck" to create a small point (you may wish to use needle nose pliers).

Step 3: Cut out Vest Pieces. Use the template to cut out front and back vest pieces. Glue pieces at shoulders.

Step 4: Embellish Vest. Cut 5 pieces of red Dresden border. Two (2) pieces should measure 1-3/4" and three pieces (3) should measure about 1".

Glue strips to vest front. Align the two longest pieces with the shoulders and over the lower vest points. Align a center piece from V of neck to lower center point. Align side pieces so the stripe placement is symmetrical. All pieces should have some overlap.

Use detail scissors to trim the excess red border in line with the vest edges.

Step 5: Put Vest on Figure. Place vest over the shoulders of the figure and glue vest at side tabs.

Step 6: Glue head in place. If needed, use a pair of sharp scissors to trim away about 1/8" of fluff to allow the point at the bend in the chenille to fit in the hole of the spun cotton head. Check for fit and adjust as necessary.

Apply glue in the hole and place the head securely on the body. Let dry.

Step 7: Add Bow. Glue Dresden bow to vest just under beard.

Step 8: Form Hands and Add Flag. Bend ends of blue chenille 1/4" to 1/2" to create hands. Apply a small amount of glue and place a flag in hand. Let dry.

Step 9: Form Feet. Bend ends of red chenille 1/4" to 1/2" to create feet.

Step 10: Add his Hat. Glue hat into place and let dry.

Optional: Turn him into and Ornament by Adding a Hanger. If you have a Dremel tool or very small drill, a 1/8" hole can be drilled through the top of the hat. Start the hole by drilling from the inside to get the hole started.

Cut an 8" length of narrow velvet ribbon, fold it in half, thread it through the hole and tie a large knot. Then glue the hat in place.