I have been getting a lot of requests for this Dragon Parade Float I created for my Mardi Gras TV segment. It took me a while to figure out how to turn my hand-drawn design into a pattern because it is larger than a standard 8-1/2 x 11 sheet of paper. I decided to make two versions of my dragon parade float design, one that fits on a regular 8-1/2 x 11 sheet of paper and another that is made up of two sheets of paper that can be put together to make the larger, full size version. If you have any questions or need help with this design, let me know. I will be happy to help! This would also make a great decorations for a fun summer barbecue!

Click here to watch my Mardi Gras TV segment so you can see how I made the design.

Materials used to make the Dragon Parade Float

• White Foam Board
• Bright Colored Acrylic Paint
• 3Dimensional Paint (I used 3D Fabric paint but it worked)
• Colored Foam Sheets ( Green and Purple)
• 1 Long Black Bead (for the eye)
• Fabric Flowers
• Metallic Tissue
• Felt Sheets
• Float Cardboard Box (for the float stand)
• Craft Glue
• Hot Glue Gun

Here is how I made the Dragon Parade Float

I drew the dragon head and tail but you don’t have to draw it, you can download my pattern here.

Here is the full sized version. Print on 8-1/2 x 11 sheets of paper and fit together to create the full sized dragon pattern.
dragon-pattern-head-top
dragon-pattern-head-bottom
dragon-pattern-tail-topdragon-pattern-tail-bottom

This is a smaller version of the dragon pattern that will print on an 8-1/2 x 11 sheet of paper
dragon-pattern-head-8×11
dragon-pattern-fin-8×11
dragon-pattern-tail-8×11

Cut out the pattern.

Trace the pattern on to the white foam board. Cut out the design with a craft or X-Acto knife.

Paint the head and the tail with colorful acrylic paint. I painted the scales freehand and just added extra color on the tail and spine for accent. It doesn’t have to be perfect. The more abstract, the better it looks.

Draw lines of the 3 Dimensional paint toe the scales, around the eyes and horn to add texture to your dragon. Glue a black bead to his eye to make him come alive.

Glue the head and tail to the top of the box with a glue gun. Cover with felt, flowers and metallic tissue.

To create the wing, cut out he pattern and trace it onto craft foam. Paint scales on the wing as show with 3Dimensional paint.

Here it is, your fun and festive Dragon Parade Float. Please contact me if you need any help with this project.