What’s the Swoon? Simple. It’s me swooning over things other people have made. đ
I used to do this all the time (I keep finding them when I go through the archives for the newsletter) and I think it’s time to bring them back.
This week’s theme is felt Christmas tree ornaments. There are so many cute ones out there! None of these are patterns – the links (these are affiliate links) go to listings where you buy the actual ornament.
One of the things they do really well over at FreshStitches is Craft-Alongs. The big alliance won’t be official until January 1st – but we’re jumping in now with a shared holiday Craft-Along! đ
Join in the fun!
It’s easy.
Pick a holiday pattern. Any holiday pattern from Shiny Happy World or FreshStitches. It can be a Christmas pattern or a winter pattern or a new year’s pattern – whatever you and your family celebrate at this time of year. (It can be a free pattern or a pattern from the shops. Keep reading below for some suggestions and links.)
Hop on over to the Shiny Happy People and tell us that you’re participating and what you’re making. You can share photos of your materials and your work in progress as we go along. We’d love to see bits and pieces as you make it!
There’s a Holiday CAL post pinned to the top of the Shiny Happy People page – so it will be the first thing everyone sees. đ
With about a week to go until the end of December we’ll pin a new post to the top of the page – a new one especially for sharing your finished project. Entries close on December 31 and we’ll pick a winner from all the photos/comments on the new post. There will be a prize!
Squee! Prizes!
Here are some pattern ideas with links for more. . .
Make a Christmas quilt – or a tote bag, stocking, or something else with some Christmas applique on it. All of my Christmas quilt patterns are free and you can find them here. You can find other quilt patterns here.
Stitch up a Christmas ornament! You can buy discounted bundles in the sets as shown – but all the patterns are also available individually so you can pick and choose your favorites. Find them all here. You can also find a few free ornament patterns here.
Do a little festive embroidery! You can find all the free patterns here, and all the patterns in the shop here.
No matter what your craft of choice is and what holiday you celebrate – Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches are sure to have a pattern for you. And we can’t wait to see what you make!
Want to learn how to make a quilt with an easy online workshop – totally free?
Sign up for Let’s Make a Quilt here. You’ll learn how to get started, the tools and supplies you’ll need, and how to make a quilt from start to finish using Quilt As You Go and applique with fusible adhesive.
It’s the easiest, most fun way to make an applique quilt. You can do it!
There’s a new free applique pattern for you! Merry Christmas! đ
This Mrs. Claus pattern is the same size and style as the other free Christmas applique patterns (10 inch finished blocks). There are four now so you can make a square wallhanging!
If you’re using Quilt As You Go, quilt the background to the batting. I’m showing mine from the back so you can see the stitching more clearly.
(If you’ve never done QAYG or applique with fusible adhesive before, go get signed up for the Let’s Make a Quilt workshop. It’s free and you can work through the lessons using any pattern you like – including this free Mrs. Claus pattern.)
Step 2
Print or trace the pattern pieces onto the paper side of fusible adhesive.
I love these printable sheets of Heat & Bond Lite because I’m lazypants and don’t like to trace.
The pieces have already been reversed, so no need to flip anything.
Step 3
Roughly cut out the pieces, leaving a little extra all the way around each piece. Leave a little extra extra wherever there’s a dotted line. That edge will tuck under other pieces for a clean finish.
Fuse the pieces to the back of your fabric, following the instructions on your fusible.
Step 4
Trace the features onto the front of the face fabric.
If you hold it up to a window, you’ll be able to see the lines very clearly through the fabric.
I trace just inside the lines marking the position of any applique pieces – like the eyes.
I trace directly on any lines to be stitched – the nose and mouth.
I just use a fine tip black Sharpie.
Here’s what it looks like without the light shining through.
Step 5
Cut out all the pieces neatly.
Cut directly on the solid lines. Leave a little extra seam allowance past the dotted lines.
Step 6
Peel off the paper backing and layer up all the pieces.
Remember – those dotted line edges will tuck behind other pieces. For example – the bottom of the bun has a dotted line, showing it tucks behind the top of the head.
Line up the lower edge of her shoulders with the bottom edge of the block. You’ll trim away the excess when you trim your block down to size so you don’t see that cut edge.
Fuse the design in place, again following the instructions on your fusible package.
I like to use a simple straight stitch in thick black thread. (This is what I use.) I think the cartoony outline suits my simple designs, but you can use matching thread and any stitches you like.
Trim it down to size and you’re finished! I recommend starting with an 11 inch square and trimming it down to 10 1/2 inches if you’re making a quilt or a wall hanging – but you can also use this design to make some placemats (free placemat pattern here) and that will need a different starting block size.
You get patterns for 25 mini stockings – just the right size to hold candy, small toys, gift cards and more. Open a stocking every night to count down the days until Christmas!
One of my favorite things about this pattern is that you’re getting 25 different repeat patterns that are very easy to stitch. (I only used the four most basic stitches – all of which are covered in my free Embroidery 101 class. The pattern also has links to the how-to videos for all of them.)
You can use these designs on so many other projects! I’ll be showing some samples of other things you can make in the weeks to come. đ
My other favorite thing is that you stitch the designs on a grid – which makes it so easy to get your stitches perfect! Here’s an example of what one stocking looks like all stitched up, before I soak away the Sulky Sticky Fabri-solvy.
See how easy it is to get the stitch length perfect and the spacing perfect?
And here’s that same stocking after soaking.
I just love how those thread colors glow against the dark purple felt!
I’ve been stitching away at the Mini Stockings Advent Calendar and I’ve been getting a lot of questions about it. I thought I’d pull together all of my answers in one handy place. đ
How big are the stockings?
They’re definitely mini stockings. Each stocking is about 4 inches wide and 5 inches tall – at the widest and tallest points. The “leg” of the stocking is 3 inches wide. I made sure it was big enough to slip in a gift card. Maybe one of the goodies is a gift card for a movie night?
How long do they take to stitch?
It depends on the design. Some take me only an hour. Some take more like three hours. And I’m a fairly slow and careful stitcher.
How hard is the stitching?
Really easy. Even if the pattern looks complex, it’s actually made of very simple stitches. And the fact that they’re stitched on a grid makes it soooo easy to get perfectly spaced stitches – even if you’ve never embroidered before.
Yes – you’re getting a total of 25 different geometric patterns.
Why is there a sheet of plain grid paper in the pattern?
That’s so you can use the same geometric patterns in other designs. Like maybe stitch a monogram letter filled in with your favorite pattern? Or the silhouette of a favorite animal? Or trace a cookie cutter, use brown felt, and stitch the design in white thread like icing?
Do I have to stitch the numbers? I’d rather use the little stockings as gift tags/tree ornaments.
Of course not! The pattern also includes a page of three stocking with just the grid – no numbers.
Can I machine sew the stocking front to the back?
Yes! Just use a simple straight stitch and matching thread, and stitch really close to the edge.
Where did you get that red and white twisted cord?
I got it at Joann’s a few years ago and I use it for all my ornament hanging loops. It was in the section of cotton yarn – the stuff people use to knit or crochet dish cloths.
Can you show some examples of the designs in different colors?
Sure. I’m using the Tutti Frutti felt and thread bundles for my samples, but I stitched up a couple of individual stockings in other colors for you to see.
These two use felt from the Enchanted Forest felt bundle with white thread. I thought that would be a really nice “snowy woods” kind of collection. đ And the first stocking (the white thread on Tahitian sunset felt) looks just like gingerbread to me. A whole set done as gingerbread stockings would be terrific!
I also love these classic red and white stockings. Easy peasy! Red thread on white felt. đ
I haven’t had a chance to stitch up samples yet, but I also think these would look great in this Frosty Pastels palette.
What are some ideas to fill the stockings?
The sky (and three inches!) is the limit. đ Candy or small toys would be great. A little note in each stocking with a favorite family activity would be fun. Maybe a little pack of cocoa and the name of a favorite Christmas book to read aloud. I’ll post this to the Shiny Happy People group and see if other have fun family traditions they can share.
I hope that answers all your questions! If you have any others, just ask and I’ll add the answers to this post. đ
Want to learn how to make a quilt with an easy online workshop – totally free?
Sign up for Let’s Make a Quilt here. You’ll learn how to get started, the tools and supplies you’ll need, and how to make a quilt from start to finish using Quilt As You Go and applique with fusible adhesive.
It’s the easiest, most fun way to make an applique quilt. You can do it!
I know it’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but I wanted to share this free reindeer applique pattern early enough that you would have plenty of time to make it before Christmas. đ
You won’t need much fabric – less than a fat quarter of everything, so you can probably find what you need in your scraps. Here’s what I used – all from Timeless Treasures. . .
Cut a piece of background fabric and a piece of batting each 11″ square. Youâll trim it down to 10 1/2â square later, so it doesnât have to be exact. If youâre using Quilt As You Go, quilt your block now. The quilting wouldnât really show up on the busy fabric I chose, so I just quilted a simple grid and show it here from the back (batting) side.
Trace or print the pattern onto the paper side of the fusible adhesive. I use this printable fusible adhesive so I just print out the page. No tracing! The image has already been reversed, so just trace or print.
Step 3
Rough cut around each shape. Leave a little bit extra all the way around – a little extra extra (at least 1/4 inch) where there’s a dotted line. Thatâs the allowance that will tuck under other bits or into the seam allowance for a nice clean finish. Follow the package instructions and fuse each piece to the wrong side of the fabric.
Step 4
Cut out each piece neatly. Cut directly on the solid lines. Leave a little seam allowance past the dotted lines (like at the base of the antlers and the top and bottom of the shoulders). Cutting after you fuse ensures that the adhesive goes right up to the very edge.
Step 5
Trace any features onto the face. If you hold the piece up to a window, the light will make the lines very visible – even on dark fabric. I mark directly on any lines to be sewn (like the mouth) and inside the bits marking the appliqueÌ position (like the eyes and nose).
Here it is after tracing so you can see the eyes, nose and mouth marked. I just use a fine Sharpie, but you can use something erasable if youâre worried about being able to stitch right over that line for the mouth.
Step 6
Peel off the paper backing, arrange the pieces, and fuse in place according to the adhesive product instructions. Remember – dotted line edges tuck behind other bits. The bottom edge of the shoulders should be lined up with the bottom edge of the block.
If youâre using Quilt As You Go, press your already-quilted block before adding the appliqueÌ.
Step 7
Stitch all the edges down. You can use any stitch you like, in matching or contrasting thread. I really love the cartoony look of a simple straight stitch with black thread.
All my ornament patterns have solid felt backs – no applique or embroidery. That makes it the perfect spot to add a name or date!
In my family and in my husband’s family, it was a tradition to give handmade ornaments to the kids every year. Having our names on them somewhere was absolutely necessary since we both have siblings. đ
Now that I’m a grown-up with my own daughter it’s fantastic to have those dates too. She loves knowing how old we were when we got each ornament and who made them for us. đ
It’s easy to add a bit of embroidery to the back of your felt ornaments. Here’s how.
Download the ABC pattern I used here. You can also choose to type up your name and date and adjust the size and choose the font – but be sure to choose a font that’s mostly straight lines with minimal tight curves so it’s easy to embroider.
This is a great use for any small scraps you’ve saved. đ
Draw a straight line to use as a guide to line the letters or numbers up, then trace them onto the stabilizer.
Peel off the backing, stick the stabilizer to the felt, and stitch right through it.
I used backstitch with three strands of white thread.
I traced the date in pencil. It can be a bit hard to see, but there’s NO chance of it bleeding on the white thread. Most pens bleed a lot – test yours or use a pencil.
After you’re done stitching, soak off the stabilizer in cold water and lay the piece flat to dry.
When I design patterns for the Dress Up Bunch Club, I try not to include patterns specifically for religious holidays. Not everyone in the DUB Club celebrates Christmas and I don’t want anyone to get a pattern that’s completely useless for them and their family.
But for those who DO celebrate Christmas, I knew it would be super fun to have some holiday accessories for their dolls. So here’s an extra Dress Up Bunch Christmas Fun pattern collection!
You’ll get patterns to make an easy Santa hat, a felt stocking for your doll to hang by the chimney with care (I wonder what Santa will bring her?) and some yummy felt gingerbread cookies.
The cookie pattern will be a special treat for anyone who has the Baking Day collection.
The three gingerbread men will just fit on the cookie sheet, and that dress would look very festive made up in red and white polkadots with white rickrack trim. đ
These are easy patterns – and it’s a digital pattern so it delivers instantly. You still have plenty of time to make it before Christmas!
The 2015 Christmas Collection is finished! All twelve fun and easy felt ornaments. đ
You’ll find two options for it in the shop. . .
The PDF pattern. All twelve patterns in one 85-page PDF. It has each pattern complete – plus the last few pages have all the pattern pieces for all the ornaments grouped for efficient printing. There’s one page to be printed on Sulky Sticky Fabri-solvy and six pages to be printed on freezer paper (grouped by color for easy ironing). Every single piece is labeled so it’s easy to group them back together again.
The PDF pattern + materials kit. It includes 10 sheets of my favorite wool-blend felt, 10 skeins of embroidery thread perfectly matched to the felt, all the pattern pieces printed out on Sulky Sticky Fabri-solvy or freezer paper (depending on what the pattern calls for), and the red and white baker’s twine I used for all the hanging loops. And, of course, you get an instant download of the entire PDF pattern. Handy dandy!
Cut a piece of fabric and a piece of batting 11″ square. Layer the fabric over the batting and quilt the two layers together.
Step 3
Roughly cut out all the pieces and fuse them to the wrong side of the fabric.
I used white felt for the snowman head, and Timeless Treasure prints for the rest of the fabrics: charcoal Sketch for the hat, red Pop for the ribbon, orange Sketch for the carrot, and solid black for the eyes.
Step 4
Hold the snowman face up to a window so you can see the face markings through the felt and mark the placement of the eyes, nose and the mouth.
Step 5
Cut out the pieces neatly on the solid lines. Where there’s a dotted line, leave a little extra seam allowance.
Step 6
Peel off the paper backing and layer the pieces on the background block. The bottom edge of the head should line up with the bottom edge of the block. The hat should overlap the top of the head.
Fuse the pieces in place.
Step 7
Stitch the edges of all the pieces down. I like to use a simple straight stitch and black thread.
