One of my favorite ways to celebrate spring is by making May Day cones (see below for a few of our favorites!). The first step in making this version of a May Day cone is by cutting 8 strips of paper 18 inches long and 3 inches wide. Weaving them together is fast and easy because of their size. If you want a smaller cone just decrease the size using 6 inch long strips, 1 inch wide, or make a medium size by cutting the strips 12 inches long by 2 inches wide, giving you three different sizes. The process is the same for any size. You can also use plain white paper or paint each strip different colors to decorate your cone (using wrapping paper is another fun option!).
Sew the intersecting edges of the outer strips together by stitching through in a loop a few times, leaving plenty of length after tying the stitch off. I used embroidery floss with an large embroidery needle (wool or regular sewing thread can be substituted).
Bend the outer strips over to create a clean, folded edge.
Then roll the woven paper up with the stitches and strings on the outside, taking the string from the middle of the cone and wrapping it around once and tying it off, add a button for fun to mark the spot that holds the whole cone together (with no glue!).
When the May Day Cone is finished I tied two buttons to each side with the extra string, then I cut a slice towards each end of a ribbon and attached it to the cone over the buttons. The other treads can be used to tie on more buttons, decorations, or can simply be tied into a bow.
This May Day Cone provides lots activities for little ones, from weaving, to basic sewing to the wonder of how it all holds together.
If you enjoyed today's cone, you might like some of our past May Day activities too!
Lettuce Seed Tape May Day Cone
To May Day and all that it brings.
~Deb
* Last time in Barn Stories: Curiosity
