Halloween Mummy

1. Trace two legs, two arms and one body onto the 24" x 18" piece of muslin (figures E and F). Make sure that the fabric is folded in half.

2. Cutting through both layers of fabric, cut out all of the shapes leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

3. Stitch around each piece following the drawn line (figure G). Leave a 2-inch opening for turning and stuffing.

4. Clip seam allowances paying special attention to the fingers.

5. Turn each piece right side out.

6. Cut two pieces of floral wire 7-1/2 inches long. Use the needle nose wire cutters to make tiny loops at each end so that the wire doesn't poke through the fabric.

7. Use the cutters to insert each piece of wire from middle finger up through the shoulder area of each arm (figure H).

8. Cut eight pieces of wire 3 inches long and loop the ends (as in step #6).

9. Insert each small wire into the remaining fingers.

11. Sew a basic ladder stitch to close the openings on each piece.

12. Hand-sew each leg and arm to the body at the shoulder and thigh area with simple overcast stitches (figure J).

13. Utilizing the pointed end of the bamboo skewers, push each one up through the bottom of the feet, legs and up into the body (figure K). Stop short of pushing the skewers out through the neck. There will be about 2-1/2 inches to 3 inches of the skewers at the feet. Don't cut these yet.

14. Paint the whole body with gesso (figure L) and then set outside to dry.

15. After the body is completely dry, paint on the antiquing gel and then quickly wipe the gel away leaving a small amount in and around the arms, fingers etc. Let dry.

16. Using the wire cutters cut away all but 1/2 inch of the skewers at the feet. This 1/2-inch will be inserted into the stand later.