How to Make a Toy Fiddle

Construct the Body of the Fiddle

• 1

  Draw the outline of a fiddle (neck included) onto one of the sheets of foam board. A basic shape rather than a detailed one will make assembly of the toy simpler. Size the fiddle according to the size of the child. Generally, between 12 inches and 18 inches should suffice.

• 2

  Cut out the fiddle shape using the razor knife. Use the cutout to trace the same shape into the second sheet of foam board, and cut the second fiddle shape out so that you have two equally sized, fiddle-shaped pieces to make the top and underside of the fiddle.

• 3

  Cut out a small rectangle, about 1-inch by 1/2-inch, from the unused foam board and attach it with glue, along a 1-inch edge so it stands 1/2-inch out from the body, to the center of the fiddle body (not including the neck) to make the bridge. Allow the glue to dry.

• 4

  Cut four lengths of fishing line for the strings. Staple one end of each string to what will be the top side of the fiddle, just below the bridge. Staple the other ends to the top end of the neck so that all four strings are running over the bridge in an even row.

• 5

  Cut out two to three 3/4-inch by 1-foot lengths of sturdy white poster board, with small tabs every 3 inches on each side, to make the sides of the fiddle. Run the strips to make a right angle along the whole perimeter of the top piece of the fiddle, covering the exposed foam edges and folding the tabs up over the top of the foam board. Affix the edges and tabs with masking tape as you go.

• 6

  Complete the fiddle's underside by taping the second fiddle cutout to the unattached side of the poster board strips, covering the exposed foam edges and folding the tabs over the foam board. Affix the edges and tabs with masking tape as you go. You should now have a fiddle shaped box with strings attached.

• 7

  Paint the entire body of the fiddle, using black for the neck and other details (as desired, being careful of the strings) and brown for the body. Allow the paint to dry completely. The fiddle itself is now complete

• 8

  Nail the 1/2-inch nails into the dowel at 1/4-inch from the top and 2-inches from the bottom. Drive them in just far enough that some length is still exposed and they don't poke out the other side of the dowel.

• 9

  Wrap the thread repeatedly between the exposed nails to make a thick length running along the dowel. Tie it off when finished. You now have a bow to use against the fishing line strings.