Culture Night Make a Snake Competition

We're requesting snakes made out of fabric, as they will be sustainable and weatherproof. We recommend using odd socks to create your snakes but you're also welcome to sew fabric remnants together - the more colourful the better!

We'll be awarding prizes for the most original design, for the silliest snake and for the longest snake. Drop your finished snake to Cregan Library on the DCU St Patrick's Campus or to O'Reilly Library on the DCU Glasnevin Campus by Wednesday 9th September. You'll find the application form, step-by-step design instructions and more competition details below.

Competition Details 
 

• Complete this online application form to register your interest in the competition

• Use the step-by-step guide below or this how to make a snake out of socks video for guidance

• Use colourful fabric to create your snake (so it’s weatherproof)

• Add weather-proof embellishments like buttons or trim (optional)

• Hand sew or machine sew your snake together (no glue please)

• Make sure your finished snake is at least 150 cm or 60 inches long - no maximum size

• Drop your completed snake to the Cregan Library or O'Reilly Library help desk

• Include your name with your entry so we can match the details with your application form

• The closing date of the competition is 9th September 2026

• Prizes will be awarded for the longest snake, the most original design and the silliest snake

• We will contact the winners by 15th September

• Visit us on Culture Night 18th September to see your snake decorating the campus

• Your snake will be the property of DCU once it's submitted 

Step by Step Instructions (see steps in pictures below text)
 

You will need: Lots of odd socks (minimum 20), a sewing machine, thread, scissors, buttons, 5" of red ribbon, pillow stuffing, a sewing needle. 

1. Lay your socks out so that you can see all of them. Choose at least ten socks that have similar width. 
2. If you have many varying widths you can also choose to arrange them from smallest to largest then back to smallest.
3. Cut your socks widthwise into 10cm/4” strips. Discard the leftovers.

4. Cut each of your pieces on the side (lengthwise) so that it is no longer a circle.

5. Sew each of your pieces together along the top and bottom sides. When you are sewing, the fronts of each of the sock strips should be facing each other. The wrong sides of the strips should be facing outwards.
6. Once all the strips are sewn together you want to make a mark where your snake’s tongue will be. To do this, fold your strip in half lengthwise. Fold in half lengthwise once more and make a mark at the top of one layer where the crease lies.

7. Take your red ribbon and cut an inverted “v” in the tip.

8. Sew the flat side of the ribbon to the top of your sock strip on the front side (the side with no raw seams) ¼” to the left of where you made your mark in step 5. You must move over ¼” because you will have to make room for the seam allowances.

9. Take your two buttons and either hand sew or machine sew them just below your ribbon in a horizontal line. These will be your snake’s eyes.
10. Fold your sock strip lengthwise, with the red ribbon on the inside, raw seams on outside. Sew along the top and the side of your strip with a ¼” seam allowance.
11. Turn your snake right side out. Your red ribbon and button eyes should be on the outside now.
12. Fill your snake with the pillow stuffing until it is full. If you have a very long snake you will probably need a long wide stick to push the stuffing down to the head.
13. Once you’ve filled your snake completely use a needle and thread to hand stitch the opening on the end of the snake closed. You can also choose to machine stitch the opening shut.
14. Well done - you've made a sock snake!

Step by step instructions and pictures from grosgrainfabulous on Pinterest