| Sewn Christmas Ornaments |
From "DIY Crafts"
episode DIC-164 |
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Sandra Betzina, host of HGTV's Sew Perfect, stitches Christmas ornaments from felt in shapes inspired by cookie cutters. Many of this project's steps are perfect for kids. For younger children, make single-layer felt ornaments, and let the kids decorate them. Materials:
Cutting mat
Scissors or pinking shears
Cookie cutter
Paper
Marking pen
Green felt
Straight pins
Fabric glue
Fabric paint
Glitter
Cording
Poly-filB.
Sewing machine
- Using a black marker and any kind of paper, trace around the outside of a Christmas-tree cookie cutter.
- Cut out the paper pattern, and pin it onto two stacked pieces of green felt. Cut out the felt 1/4" larger than the pattern all the way around with scissors or pinking shears. Kids often have difficulty with pinking shears, so you might want to cut out the felt for them. The pinked edge adds a little more interest (figure A).
- Pin a piece of cording between the felt layers at the top of the tree to create the hanger. Ribbon may also be used (figure B).
- Machine-stitch the two layers of felt together, starting at the bottom of the tree. Stitch up one side, around the top and down the other side, using a seam allowance of 1/8" to 1/4". The ornament is stitched on the right side and is not turned. Leave the bottom open for stuffing (figure C).
- Stuff the ornament with a little Poly-fil, and machine-stitch the opening. Trim around to reshape the tree if necessary. The stitching remains on the outside with the seam allowances showing (figure D).
- Decorate with fabric paint, fabric glue and glitter--or whatever you like.
If you don't sew, use cookie cutters to cut shapes from Fun FoamB.. Press the cookie cutter into a sheet of Fun Foam. The cutters will leave an outline. Cut along the lines, and decorate the shapes for the holidays with markers, paint, glued-on beads or glitter. Punch a hole in the top of each ornament to accommodate a ribbon or cord hanger (figure E).
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