CHRISTMAS MAKES
Variation 1
Starring hearts
Refer to main photograph and stitch
a heart embellishment to centre of 1
heart. Then, using variegated thread,
work lazy daisy stitches, as pictured,
around central heart, about 12mm out
from heart embellishment. Hand-sew a
pearl bead just in from tip of each lazy
daisy stitch. Securing hanging thread or
cord at dip of heart, blanket stitch 2 felt
hearts together, leaving a gap at 1 side
for stuffing with toy fill. When filled,
finish blanket stitching around edge.
Variation 2
Starring hearts – elongated
Refer to Steps 1 and 2 to cut 2 hearts.
Using paper patterns of flowers in each
size, pin to felt and cut out 3 flowers.
Centre flowers and stack together,
large to small, bottom up. Secure stack
with 2 or 3 stitches through centre to
make ‘flower’. Place them on heart
at top left then, working out from
underneath flower, freehand-draw
tendrils on felt with marker. Stem stitch
along marked lines with variegated
thread. Stitch 2 staggered rows of seed
beads (10 and 15mm from outside
edge) of a heart. Towards dip and tip of
heart, you only need to stitch a single
bead. With a button as flower centre,
stitch through button’s holes to attach
flower in place. Complete as for Heart.
Variation 3
Starring hearts – star
See Steps 1 and 2 to cut 2 elongated
hearts. Then using paper patterns,
cut out 3 flowers in each size. Cut
out shapes, centre and stack them
together, large to small from bottom
up. Secure this stack with 2 or 3 stitches
through centre to make a ‘flower’.
Place and stitch them in centre of a felt
star. Decorate each star ray with 5 seed
beads to form a + shape. Securing
hanging thread or cord at tip of each
star, blanket stitch front and back of
2 felt stars together. When you’ve
stitched around 4 star rays, stuff with
toy fill, pushing it into tips. Continue
blanket stitching and stuffing until star
is done. Working back to front, and
leaving a thread tail, bring threaded
needle up through flower centre, pass
3 gold beads onto thread then take
needle back down and through to back
of the star. Pull loose ends taut and tie
off securely. Snip off excess thread.Variation 4
Felt reindeer
Refer Steps 1 and 2 then, using paper
patterns, cut antlers and muzzle. Cut
a 12mm-dia. circle and 20 x 30mmL
teardrop shape. Stitch seed beads
to form a star or snowflake pattern
on teardrop. Use blanket stitch to
attach the teardrop to reindeer
body, as shown. Blanket stitch top of
muzzle across the top only – leave
thread tail loose. Stitch a sequin/
bead combination for each eye just
above muzzle. Backstitch a mouth and
eyebrows above ‘eyes’. Using loose
tail of thread, blanket stitch reindeer
front to back piece with antlers
between ears. As you work, stuff with
toy fill. Adhere circle ‘nose’ to muzzle.
String seed beads with a bell at one
end and stitch around reindeer neck.
Stitch cord hanging loop at back
between ear and neck junction.Variation 5
What a pair
Refer to Steps 1 and 2 then, using
paper patterns, cut 3 felt pear shapes,
2 off-white and 1 mauve. Cut an aqua
felt leaf to scale. Centring it, stitch
mauve pear to 1 white pear. Transfer
embroidery outline onto mauve pear
and, using a deep pink stranded
cotton, backstitch along outlines.
Embellish design with purple seed
beads, as shown. Work running stitch
around embroidered pear 15mm
from edge in mid-pink stranded cotton.
Use a deep mauve to backstitch
leaf ‘veins’. Roll and secure
4 x 3cm strip of mauve for a ‘twig’.
Using matching stranded cotton,
whip stitch front and back of pear
together, stuffing with toy fill as
you go and inserting felt twig at
the top. Stitch leaf in place.THREE WISE MEN
Gather your supplies
35mm-dia. wood dowel (or similar);
handsaw; 35mm round wood beads,
(3); hot-glue gun and glue sticks; felt
sheets in desired colours; Helmar
450 Quick-Dry Adhesive; general
sewing supplies; DMC Cotton Perle
in contrasting colour to felt; fur
fabric in white; gold beads (3)Here’s how
STEP 1 For each piece, cut
dowel to measure 25mm high.
Hot-glue round bead on top.
STEP 2 Clothing: allowing for overlap
at 1 end, cut a felt strip to measure
circumference by combined height
of dowel and bead. Wrap felt around
‘body/head’, overlap ends and adhere.
This join will be the centre back of
each piece. When join has set, slip
clothing off and blanket stitch around
bottom edge. Dress each piece,
gluing it in place around top of head.
STEP 3 Glue 7W x 8cmL of fur fabric
to front of bead head. If necessary,
trim fur to resemble a beard.
STEP 4 Photocopy to enlarge hat
diagram; test fit on ‘head’; adjust.
Adhere straight edges together
with an overlap or whip stitch edges
together. When set, blanket stitch
around bottom edge. Glue hat onto
bead, covering clothing and top ofThree Wise Men hat, above, (enlarge to
310%), beard, below, (enlarge to 280%)212 BHG DECEMBER 2017