Stashbustin' Ornaments Pt 8: Folk Star

This week's ornament is a step away from the other patterns with less glue and more embroidery! If you are new to embroidery, don't worry! All of the stitches are linked to their tutorials and I'll give you other options to stitching as well.

This star lends itself to lots of variation both in stitching and creativity!

Materials Needed:

• felt of colors in your choosing
• skeins of embroidery floss - I find that 2-3 contrasting colors works best.
• coordinating ribbon - 6-8" is enough
• sequins - one package of multicolor will be more than sufficient!
• scissors
• vanishing fabric marker (not pictured)
• polyfil or stuffing of choice (not pictured)

Star Pattern (click to print)

Step 1
     Cut out pattern pieces as needed. Feel free to use different color combinations! You could do blue and silver for Hannukah, collegiate football colors, or just personal favorite combination.

Step 2
     Using the fabric marker, mark the center of the star as well as the center point in between the "inner" points of the star.

 **Sorry for the faint markings! Santa needs to bring me a new fabric marker! ;)

Step 3
     Using the French Knot, stitch the larger sequin in the center (wrapped 5 times) and the smaller sequins in the remaining spots (wrapped 3 times).

If you don't want to do the French Knot, you could do a simple over hand knot (tied a couple of times) down close to the sequin OR you could use a seed bead to hold it in place.

Step 4
     Work a chain stitch around the outside edge of the star about 1/4" from the edge. When you get to a point (outer or inner), tack your last stitch before making the turn.

For inner points, I start the next line of stitching inside that last tacked stitch.

For outer points, I stopped stitching about 1/2" from the actual tip and started the next line of stitching outside of the tacked stitch.

Step 5
     To fill the points of the star, I used a back/outline stitch to create an arrow.

 Step 6
     Around the center sequin, I worked a round of button hole stitches.

Step 7
     At each inner point, I worked a set of 3 lazy daisy stitches.

 Step 8
     Lay the embroidered star felt piece on top of the back piece and trim any excess felt as needed.

Step 9
     Fold your piece of ribbon in half and tie an over hand knot to secure.

Step 10
     Pin your ribbon in place between the two layers of felt.

Step 11
     Starting at the point opposite of where your ribbon is pinned, begin whip stitching around the star. Leave the last point unstitched on one side so that you can stuff the star.

 Step 12
     Working with small bits of stuffing, begin stuffing your star. Use a needle placed between the layers of felt to help work the stuffing into the points.


Step 13
      When your star is stuffed to your liking, whip stitch the remaining side, knot the thread and hide the knot as directed in the tutorial.

Don't want to do all of this embroidery? 
      You could write a meaningful word like Peace or someone's name in the center with a back/outline stitch OR go the glue route and decorate with buttons or whatever.

I'd love to see your folk star! Please share a picture link in my comments to be entered into the Stashbustin' Ornament GIVEAWAY! ! :)

Stashbustin' Ornaments Pt 7: Angel

Ah well...you know the old addage about good intentions. I had all of the pattern pieces cut out last weekend to blog this ornament. I just needed to take the photos and write it up. Then Life stepped in and brought my normally frenetic craftiness to a stand still. My favorite uncle passed away. I changed my planned ornament (it's coming this weekend!) in favor of this angel. I dedicate this particular crafty moment to my Uncle Johnny. This sweet angel is singing for him.

Materials needed:

• felt in white, ecru, and gold (for the hair so you can change this as you wish)
• scissors, NOT YOUR GOOD FABRIC SCISSORS!!
• embroidery thread in black, white, ecru and gold
• embroidery needle
• craft glue (not pictured)
• vanishing fabric marker (not pictured)
• polyfil or a stuffing material of your choice (not pictured)
• a 6-8" piece of white ribbon, I used a 1/8" wide in this project

Angel Pattern (click picture to print!)

Step 1
       Cut out pattern pieces as needed.

Step 2
       Pin the front hair piece on top of one of the face pieces to help you gauge where to draw your facial features. Using the fabric marker, draw the face.

 

 Step 3
      Using the back/outline stitch, stitch the mouth and nose. I did try to do satin stitch for the mouth and found it difficult. I cut a little circle out of black and glued it on instead.

(Yes, I failed to do the eyelashes! I had to go back in and add those at the end. Oops! )

Step 4
      Lay the two wing pieces one on top of the other. Using the white thread, stitch using the back/outline stitch down the "feathers" of the wings. Then, whip stitch all the way around the outer edge.

Step 5
      Place the back head piece on top of the stitched front head piece. Starting on the inside of the golden "hair", whip stitch around the face pieces (not through the hair!) until you have about an inch remaining to stitch.

  Step 6
      Fill with a tiny amount of polyfil. Don't overstuff! It will cause your stitches to pull.

Step 7
      Place the back "hair" in place sandwiching the face in between the hair pieces. Trim up an excess "hair" felt if needed. Stitch from the bottom of the front hair piece around to the opposite side. Don't worry about stitching through the face pieces in the process. It won't hurt it. :)

 Step 8
      If you don't feel that your face is secure enough in the hair, add some glue between the back of the head and the back hair piece.

 Step 9
      If you have a needle with a wide enough eye, you can thread your ribbon through the needle and pull the ribbon through the center of the wings. Be careful to only catch the first layer of felt in the wings in doing so. Pull the ribbon through. Fold it in half and tie it in an over hand knot. Trim excess ribbon if you wish.

Don't have a needle big enough to do this? No problem...just fold the ribbon in half, tie and glue in place. If you worry about the ribbon moving before it's dried completely, you could pin it from the backside of the wing.

Step 10
      Glue the backside of your angel head to the center of the wings. Allow to dry.

Step 11
      Completely optional...you can cut from the bottom edge of the hair up towards the face to give a little more texture to the ornament.

You can also change up the gender of your angel just by changing the hair style.

Now, I would love to see your Little Angel! Please share a link to your version to enter the Stashbustin' Ornament GIVEAWAY! !

Happy Holidays from Hogwarts!

In a Holiday Swap on Craftster, I had an opportunity to make something that I've wanted to make in a loooong time.

Harry Potter Christmas Ornaments! :D

I found my inspiration from ...of all places...cookies! Aren't these cookies fun? I added a bit of holiday cheer with a simple Santa hat.

Here's my version:

I think that they turned out fabulous, but I must admit that I should have made a Dumbledore! ;)

My favorite of the lot is Ron. I just love those freckles. LOL

Stashbustin' Ornaments Pt 6: Gingerbread Man and Jr!

Read here for information on the Stashbustin' Ornament GIVEAWAY! 

I couldn't help myself. I knew that I wanted to make a gingerbread man, but it just didn't feel like enough so I created the Ginger Family! (Click HERE for the Gingergirl pattern.)

Materials needed:

• tan felt
• white felt scrap
• mini rickrack, red
• red mini buttons
• black and red embroidery thread (I had originally planned to use gold but changed mid stream.)
• red ribbon for hanging 
• scissors
• craft glue, Elmer's doesn't work well! (not pictured)
• vanishing fabric marker (not pictured)
• polyfil or stuffing of your preference (not pictured)

Gingerbread Man and Jr Pattern - Click on picture to print!

Gingerbread Man instructions

Step 1
     Cut out pattern pieces and trace the body using the fabric marker on the tan felt. Trace the heart and hair bow on the red felt. DO NOT USE YOUR GOOD FABRIC SCISSORS! Felt will dull them very quickly!

Step 2
     Glue on the mini rick rack, bow tie and mini buttons into place. Trim excess rick rack only after the glue is dry.

Step 3
     Cut a 2-3" piece of red ribbon to create his bow tie. Tie a simple overhand knot and tighten it. Trim the tie down to the appropriate length. (Using a shorter bit of ribbon before tieing the knot makes it difficult to work with!)

Step 4
     Using the fabric marker again, draw on his face. I used black thread to do hus eyes and mouth. His eyes are worked in French knots (wrapped 4 times) and his smile is a back/outline stitch.

Don't have rick rack? Use some pretty holiday trim or braid some extra embroidery floss together. :)

Step 5
      Cut about a 6" length of you ribbon to create your hanger. Fold it half and tie the end in an overhand knot.

Step 6
     Lay the decorated body on top of the second undecorated piece. Pin the knotted ribbon in between the two layers of felt. Starting with a goodly length (15-20" inches to be on the safe side) of red embroidery floss, begin to stitch these two pieces of felt together. I've used the whip stitch, but a baste/running stitch or a buttonhole stitch will work just as well. Start stitching at the "leg joint".

 When you get to the top of his head, be sure to put your needle through the ribbon hanger to help hold it it place. Stitch all the way around until you reach the opposite side from where you started.  

DON'T CUT or TIE your thread! Leave it dangling!

Step 7
     Time to stuff ! Do the arms and head first. Be careful not to overstuff. If the seams look like they are bulging, remove some stuffing. You might need to use the wrong end of an ink pen or crochet hook to get the filling into his arms. Now, fill the body.

Step 8
      Whip stitch around his legs with the remaining red thread, knot your thread, and place the needle between the layers of felt. Pull the needle out through the back side which will pull the knot into the inside of your gingerbread man. Trim the thread

If you find that your filling isn't even, you can use a needle placed through the back side to reposition it with a bit of wiggling. 


Ginger Jr instructions

I'm only noting the differences in construction from Dad to Son.

Step 2
     Glue his bib and the rick rack into place and allow it to dry. I didn't take a picture of the rickrack edging of his bib but you get the "picture". LOL

SKIP Step 3 since he doesn't have a tie! ;)

Step 4
      I stitched his closed eyes in back/outline stitch.

Now you have an entire Gingerbread Family! 

Feel free to make your own family and share your gingerbread family pictures here to be entered in the Stashbustin' Ornament GIVEAWAY!