To make the head:

 

1. Cut the feet ends off the tights but not too short – it is better to cut off too much and trim later.
2. Place the cut off tights over the mug and fold back down the mug sides.
3. Push a dip inside the mug so that you can place the compost and grass seed in easily
4. Place a thin layer of compost in the toe of the tights. This will form the top of the head where the grass will grow through to make hair.
5. Place a layer of grass seeds on top of the compost.
6. (If you are using capillary matting then place the strip in the centre of the compost as you fill the tights).
7. Place compost on top of the grass seed until the tights are full enough to form a head.
8. Gather the tights together, squeeze the compost tight and secure with a elastic band. The compost should form a fairly solid head – if the compost is too loose then the elastic band should be used nearer the foot end to squeeze the compost up more. (If you are not using capillary matting as a wick then allow the tights material below the elastic band to trail into the water container to act as a wick.
9. Shape the head with your hands

 

To make the face

 

1. To make the nose cut a small section of tights material
2. Place cotton wool or cut up sections of tights material in the centre.
3. Gather up the material and tie around the gathering to make a small bobbly nose.
4. Sew the nose onto the front of the grass head.
5. Use cut out pieces of materials such as felt to create the eyes, eyebrows and mouth
6. Place the grass head in a shallow container of water - you could arrange pebbles around the edges of the tights material to keep the grass head in place.

 

 

 

 

 

Easier options for younger people

 

Alternatively you can grow mini grass heads using empty eggshells

 

 

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Or you could use an empty plastic drinks container.

 

 

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Or you could make heads out of potatoes or turnips. Hollow out the top of the potato or turnip and fill with compost and grass seed.

 

You could also use cress seeds instead of grass seeds.

 

For the above options you will need to water carefully and regularly.