Make A Giant Cactus

No watering required!

Posted by Kerry and Andy B.

About

After a trip to Palm Springs, California, we were so inspired by the desert that we wanted our own giant cactus. A giant cactus isn't going to grow in Cleveland, Ohio, though, so we decided to make our own. And the best part is we never have to remember to water it!

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You Will Need (11 things)

  • 2 yd green Felt
  • Rock(s)
  • Newspaper
  • Polyester Fiberfill
  • Basket
  • Scissors
  • Needle And Thread Or Sewing Machine
  • Paint
  • Dowel
  • Drill
  • Wood

Steps (7 steps, 60 minutes)

  1. 1

    Fold your fabric in half and draw your cactus shape on it with chalk. Pin all the way around the shape and cut it out to get two matching pieces.

  2. 2

    With the pins still holding the pieces together, sew around the edges either with a machine or by hand, leaving the bottom edge open.

  3. 3

    Flip it inside out and densely fill the whole inside with polyfill, especially around the arms.

  4. 4

    Push a wooden dowel or long piece of scrap wood through the center of the cactus to keep it stable.

  5. 5

    Drill the dowel into two pieces of wood approximately 6" long, to form a base for the cactus to stand on. This step is optional to make the cactus more stable.

  6. 6

    Paint the top or bottom of your basket with paint to give it a "dipped" look, if you like.

  7. 7

    Put the cactus in the basket. Fill the basket with balled up newspaper, and then put 1 pound of river rocks on top.