Amy in Ohio

• I ordered the fabric from the site posted above.  I noticed when I ordered that it wouldn't tell me the shipping cost because it was an oversize item.  I called the company and she told me to request in the comments section of my order that they should fold the fabric instead of sending it on the roll.  The total cost for one yard plus shipping wound up to be $13.09.
• I'm eyeing this big piece of fabric and trying to guess how many I can get out of one piece.  My guess is about 36.  I used 10" hoops and not 14" like are suggested on the author's website.
• I got the hoop at a local craft store for $.49.
• I tried colored Sharpies on the fabric and they bled all over the place.  I wound up buying Crayola fabric markers and they worked great.
• Putting the glue between the hoops was messy.  I suggest a very thin bead or you'll get substantial oozing.  (I know this because I'll be requiring some 409 and a paper towel shortly.)  I think it's a necessary step, though.  Otherwise, the fabric will probably loosen up when you iron at the end.
• I printed the fish graphic from some clip art I have.  I cut the paper in a circle and taped it to the back of the fabric.  You can see through the fabric just fine and the design was easy to trace.
• The author's website says that you should coat the front and back of the fabric with clear polyurethane.  I emailed her and asked if that was necessary, or cosmetic.  She told me it was absolutely necessary because it's what gave it a drum sound.  I'm here to tell you -- I don't know what hers sounds like, but mine sounds like a drum without the polyurethane.  I think we'll be skipping that messy step!  We'd have to clean up, worry about spills, hang them to dry . . . thanks, but no!
• The fabric had some pretty serious creases from the folding and I purposely cut the fabric so I'd wind up with a crease on my drum head.  As you can see in the picture, the crease completely disappeared during that ironing step.
• I think the best way to do this craft is to have all the drums pre-assembled.  Then the kids just have to trace and color.  I've had good luck getting people from the congregation to take home craft packs.  I have bundles of 20-30 projects ready to be cut out, put together, drilled, etc. and they take them home.  This is great for older folks and people who can't actually participate the week of VBS.
• We're also going to make a mallet for the drum.  It'll be a wood bead on a dowel.  We'll cover the bead with a circle of felt and tie it with a piece of jute.  I'll post another pic when I get it made next week.

Amy in Ohio