Citrus Holiday: Bits & Pieces Felt Ornaments

Editor: Alicia Thommas

Friday, 18 September 2009 03:00

We made our ornaments from scraps of fabric and trim, leftover buttons and craft felt. While we used a simple hand stitch on ours, you can also sew these up quickly on your machine. The key is to use what you have and your imagination. It's a fantastic way to introduce children to the creative world of sewing. Kids old enough to use a needle and thread will have fun picking and choosing their favorite bits and pieces, and cutting whatever shapes they like. They'll be beautiful however they turn out.

Because these little ornaments are made from scraps, everyone will have a different mix of ingredients. Don't limit yourself to our patterns. Create your own by simply sketching out a simple shape: bells, trees, snowmen... whatever strikes your fancy.

Sewing Tools You Need

Sewing machine is optional.

Fabric and Other Supplies

Craft felt
Fabric scraps
Trim scraps like rick rack and ribbon
Buttons
A small amount of Poly-Fil (optional)
Embroidery floss in several colors
Embroidery needle
Needle threader (helpful)
Scissors
Pinking shears (optional)
Straight pins
Thimble

You don't need all of the above supplies to make felt ornaments. If kids are hand sewing, they may have difficulty sewing on buttons or through rick rack. In that case, just omit these supplies or offer your help.

Getting Started

If you want to use our patterns, download the Ornaments PDF file and print at 100% (do not allow your PDF reader or printer to scale the image). If you choose to make your own patterns, or just start cutting, go right ahead. You can also trace around a cookie cutter, or get a round shape by tracing around a coffee mug.
From felt, cut the desired number of shapes. For substance, because we added buttons and trim, we cut 2 pieces for a front and back to our ornaments. However, if you keep it simpler, you can get by with using a single piece of felt.
From fabric scraps, cut whatever fabric shapes you'd like to apply to your felt shapes. We used a variety of ideas from cutting a smaller fabric version of the felt shape, to fussy cutting fabric motifs, to layering bits of fabric or felt. We used a few yo-yos as well. This is where it's your job to get creative with what you have.
Pin your fabric or felt scraps to your pattern shapes.
Hand or machine stitch your first layer of fabric, felt and trim. If hand stitching, a thimble makes it easier.
Hand or machine stitch a second layer of fabric (optional). Repeat for any additional layers.
If you opt to use a little Poly-Fil to poof out a fussy cut applique, leave a small opening, fill and complete your stitching.
If you are making double-sided ornaments, complete both sides and then stitch them together using a hand or machine stitch. Trim any uneven edges of felt.
In this example, we added a grosgrain ribbon, some little felt leaves and a button. All you really need is a way to hang your ornament. You can keep it simpler with just a piece of ribbon or length of embroidery floss.
Hang and admire.

You can create a dozen ornaments in one afternoon – more of the kids help.

At Your Sewing Machine

If you choose to machine stitch your ornaments, simply replace the hand stitching steps with machine stitching. Use a basting stitch for best results. You may need to adjust your machine's tension for this project.

Hints and Tips

This concept could be used to create a little ornament that holds a gift card. Measure the card and allow an opening about a half inch larger all around to accommodate the card. It makes a gift card so much more personal.

Linda M said:

...
I love your Citrus Christmas ornaments! It is always Christmas at OrnamentPlace.com and I hope you will link these up to my Show It Off Thursdays party at:

http://ornamentplace.com/?p=1875

Thanks! smilies/cheesy.gif