Halloween Kicking Sticks

A few years back there was a fabric out that had rows and rows of dancing skeletons (Halloween type) about 3" tall on the figures, and they were in different colors. Orange, purple and yellow, on a black background.  I got two yards of it and never really did anything with it.  But it was cute so I saved it.  Unfortunately I can't find an image of it online, the fabric has been discontinued for too long.

This is from an Etsy site, the lady uses about the same proportions on her toy as I do, though my feather boa section is a bit longer (about the length of the toy itself).

With someone asking me for Halloween stuff, I decided to make them up as Kicking Sticks with the feather boa ends, using complimentary boa colors.  Bone white, purple, orange and yellow.  They turned out great!  I might be able to use them also at a Harry Potter event. 

At least I found a reason to use the print.  Halloween is so specific, the fabrics that come out for it are usually limited to the holiday.  Though I have used skull printed fabric to make 'questionable mushrooms' that went over great at the Renaissance Festival.  I'd put them in a basket with normal colored portabella style mushrooms, and told people to watch out which one they picked up, that some were very questionable.

HOW TO MAKE A KICKING STICK:

I use BRIGHTLY colored fabric, cotton prints.  The size is 7" x 5 1/2".  You fold it in half the long way.  At the short end you lay a 6" length of feather boa so the end is barely sticking out from the inside.  Each feather boa will give you a number of cut lengths, depending on the size of the boa, some are only 3' long at stores, others run 4 or 6' lengths. 

Sew across the end of the boa and continue on down the length of the fabric, tucking stray feather ends in away from the stitch line.  Turn right side out. Push the corners out a bit at the feather end, then stuff with fiberfill and catnip.  Turn the open end under a bit and machine stitch across.  Done.

They are quick, easy, and you can make quite a few in half an hour's time. No hand sewing either on these. 

TIP:  When cutting the boa sections, do it OUTSIDE!!!!  As you cut each one use your fingers to pull at the end, letting the fragments fall to be taken by the wind. You want to leave that mess outdoors, not have it all over you, your table, your floor, your sewing machine, etc.  There is no easy way to keep things clean indoors if you try cutting it there.  I've tried.