Spiral Mobile

Several mobile projects have been presented. Most have required a rigid set of supports such as wire, dowels, or twigs. In this project, the objects will be suspended from a card stock spiral as shown in the picture.

This project is rated: EASY

Materials needed:

• Computer paper
• Card stock
• Scissors
• Crayons, colored pencils, or paint
• Needle and thread

Project Instructions

1. Print a spiral on plain or colored card stock. If you do not have card stock, print the spiral on computer paper, then glue the paper spiral to a piece of chipboard like you find a cereal box made from.
2. Color the spiral to suit yourself.
3. Cut the spiral along the black curves.
   You now need to make some objects to hang from the spiral support. In the example mobile, eleven objects were made to hang from the spiral. You may select any objects and in any number that you want to use. They can be anything such as pictures cut from magazines, bracelet charms, small dolls, etc. However, a set of eleven objects are provided.
4. Print the line drawings on computer paper. Note that the objects are given in pairs.
5. Cut out each of the objects.
6. Glue, or paste, the matching pairs back-to-back.
7. Color each object to suit yourself. If you have a color printer, you may use the colored objects below at the right.

Mobile Instructions

1. Cut a length of thread about 8 inches long.
2. Double the thread and put both ends through the eye of a needle.
3. Pierce the object with the needle and pull most of the thread through the object.
4. Pass the ends of the thread through the loop on the other side of the object and pull the thread tight.
5. Using the needle, pass the thread through the spiral (at a location of your choosing) from the underside to the top side.
6. Remove the needle and knot the thread (position the knot so the object will hang about 1 inch below the spiral.)
7. Cut off the excess thread, leaving about a half inch above the knot.
8. Tape the knot and thread to the spiral.

Suspend the Mobile

1. Cut a length of thread.
2. Double the thread.
3. Thread both of the ends through the eye of a needle.
4. Using the needle, pass the thread through the center of the spiral (from the top side.)
5. Remove the needle and knot the thread on the underside of the mobile.
6. To prevent the knot from pulling through the card stock, tape the knot to the underside of the mobile. For additional strength, a piece of a toothpick can be placed above the knot before taping.

The mobile can be hung from the thread at the center.