Historical Figure from a 2 Liter Bottle
(Robert E. Lee)

My son was assigned to make someone from history using a two liter soda bottle. This was a fun and intersting project, but it took some figuring out.

Materials Needed:

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Model Magic (2 packages)
Foil
Wire- coat hanger will do, need 2 pieces about 24 iches long each
Paints- Acrylics work well
Soda Bottle
Glue Gun
Paint Brushes
Fabric to make outfit
Felt for outfit or for adding to outfit
Yarn for hair
Cat litter or stones to weight bottle
Masking tape (may not need)
Accesories- buttons, ribbons, chains (whatever you have around)

This project took several hours and was tricky at times, but it turned out pretty cool. (my son did do most of it)

The Head

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Take one 24 inch wire and fold it in half. Wrap foil around end and start for form a head shape.

Molding

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Place the Model Magic around foil forming head, make a nose, eyes, lips, and ears.

Attaching Head

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Put stones or cat litter in the bottom of the bottle to give it some weight. Stick wire inside of bottle and put model magic around neck of bottle.

Arms

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Put holes in each side of the bottle at shoulder height and stick the wire through. Bend wire so some of it is inside bottle and the wire outside is arm length.

Arms

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Mold hands out of model magic and make lines for fingers. Wrap foil around wire in arms to make it thicker. Put hands on wire ends.
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Paint

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Paint face and hands. When flesh color is dry add eye details and lips. Also make little feet from model magic that will just sit under the front edge and stick out. Paint them shoe color (black, brown)
I dressed him before painting, but it is not a good idea.. Definitely recommended to paint before putting clothes on.
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Clothes

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Using whatever material you have try to match clothing that your historical figure wears. I used an old table cloth. Cut pieces and wrap around bottle and arms and use glue gun to attach. Add buttons and ribbon, or cut felt pieces to try to match the outfit of your historical figure. Attach by sewing or with glue gun.

Buttons

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I bought this bucket of buttons at a craft store and it has come in handy on many occasions.

Hair

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Twist yarn around hand about 7 times and tie it in the middle. Cut each end. Make many of them. Attach with glue. Make longer or shorter if needed. Add sideburns, mustaches, beards, eyebrows.
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Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant

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