Hello, everyone, and welcome to this month’s Stitching Focus! I’m Lizzie Jones, your Stitching Ambassador, and this month I’m continuing the holiday preparations with a garland project. It should come as no surprise that I love creating garlands – I’ve shared several in the past (like this one, and this one, and this one…and those are just the Christmas ones). I may be running out of places to hang these things, but I’m not going to let that stop me! So I thought it would be fun to create a new stitched version for this year. Let’s take a look at what I used to make that happen.
The Stitched Ornaments in last year’s line up are all so fun and unique! Each one brings something special to the table: beading, sequins, embroidery, appliques. These dies make it easy to create handcrafted keepsakes for your tree or as gifts for your loved ones. And the handiest thing about the simple shape is that it’s so easily transformable.
1. Kay used the Stitched Ornaments: Topped Die to create this lovely color blocked gem. Her contrasting blanket stitching stands out beautifully and the addition of the Sweet Dreams: Pajama Patches hearts is such a charming touch!
2. Laurie used the Stitched Ornaments: Sequins Die for her festive bauble. Her clever use of tasteful French knots dressed up her sparkly sequins. She even added a Saddle Stitched bow and cheerful jingle bell to kick things up a notch.
3. Erin created her stunning ornament with the Stitched Ornaments: Embroidered Die. The detailed design shines with her choice of bold red thread against Vintage Cream felt.
4. Amy paired the Stitched Ornaments: Classics Die and Stitched Ornaments: Beaded Die to create her gorgeous ornament. She even stacked buttons at the bottom and top to give her ornament a bit more presence on the tree.
5. Dawn went with the Stitched Ornaments: Classics Die to create a flat stunner in an unconventional-yet-dazzling color scheme. You can always count on Dawn for eye-catching color!
6. Betsy used the Stitched Ornaments: Woven Die to make her charming pastel gift. The satin bow and Sewing Staples: Floral Cluster blooms give her ornament such a sweet, feminine feel. She even used the Tiny Town Basics Die to create the perfect gift box presentation. How wonderful would these be for hostess gifts this holiday season?
So like I mentioned before, I was itching to make a new garland for this month’s Stitching Focus. I thought the ornaments would look great turned on their sides and strung with wool felt balls (or pom-poms if you would prefer). After all, they already have small openings at the top and the bottom, so I figured stringing them would be a snap. Lucky for me, it worked out perfectly!
I began by die cutting the body of the ornaments using the Stitched Ornaments: Classics Die. I did nine ornaments for the garland, so that meant I needed 36 sides with the “holes only” diamond shape inside of each one.
Next, I die cut 18 of the scalloped pieces from Limeade Ice and 18 of the snowflake embroidery diamonds from Pure Poppy.
On the alternate sides, I knew I wanted to stitch on Pure Poppy buttons layered with Ocean Tides felt. I searched though my die collection and found that the Buttoned Up #2 Die had a button that would fit splendidly!
I used a three strands of embroidery thread to stitch the snowflake design on each Pure Poppy diamond. I even added a clear seed bead to the center of each snowflake for just a hint of sparkle. Then I used two strands of red thread to stitch each diamond to the Vintage Cream base.
On the alternate sides I used three strands of green thread to stitch the diamond pattern. Then, I used three strands of red floss to stitch the buttons, both felt and plastic, in the center.
I stitched all of the ornaments together with white floss and stuffed them with poly-fil so that they were nice and plump. All that was left was to string my stitched ornaments with wool felt balls (these are 2cm). I used heavier white crochet thread to do the stringing to make sure the garland would be able to withstand years of use. I also strung the balls with just a tiny bit of space to make sure the garland would be flexible enough to be used anywhere. If you string it too tight it feels a little stiff.
It turned out exactly as I had envisioned and I can’t wait to display it throughout the upcoming holiday season! I just have to figure out where…
Thank you so much for joining me for this month’s Stitching Focus! I hope I’ve inspired you to stitch up some fresh decor for this year. Have a wonderful day and I’ll see you again soon!
Vicki Finger says
This is lovely, Lizzie!
Luanne Ford says
Wow Lizzie! This is awesome!
Teddra says
Love your garland Lizzie!
Kathy Mc says
So cute, Lizzie, but very time-consuming! You definitely made it look worthwhile though. Yay, Lizzie!
Greta H says
Wow, wow, wow! I absolutely adore your felt garland, Lizzie–amazing work! And I was just patting myself on the back for the little stitching I did on my card for Dawn–haha! Wish you were here to do a class–I’d be there!
Heidi says
I absolutely love this garland. I think I might have to dig out my stash of felt and (find the time) and get busy! Thanks for sharing something “old” and making it new again-love it!
Diana K says
Wow, Lizzie, this is so absolutely adorable! Totally love the design and colours you chose!
Ohhh Snap says
Ddddaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnggggggggg! Lookit you making fancy garlands! I love this and might have to make one to go with the Dashing All the Way garland I making based on the one you made last monthh.
Cindy says
Adorable! I love the color scheme and the ornaments are perfection!
Susan W. says
What a great idea! And alot of work but the results are well worth it! I just might have to try this idea of yours….thanks.
Sue in Grapevine says
Beautiful! Where did you get the felt balls?
kellyv says
Lizzie, this is completely lovely! And, I am wondering where you found the felted wool beads (Sue in Grapevine beat me to it!)?
JanetB says
Your garland is beautiful, the balls with the ornaments is a perfect combination.
Sonya says
Amazing. Looks like an excellent opportunity to perfect my wet felting skills -that’s a lot of little balls.
Michele W says
Love your garland! The colors and shapes remind me of the designs popular in the early 60s or was it the late 50s? Either way it means I’m showing my age. 🙂 Thanks for another great idea!
Lizzie Jones says
I bought them at The Felt Pod. I have the specific colors linked over on my blog for your convenience. You can also find many retailers on Etsy or with a Google search. I hope that helps!
Lizzie Jones says
Kelly, I bought them at The Felt Pod. I have the specific colors linked over on my blog for your convenience. You can also find many retailers on Etsy or with a Google search. I hope that helps!
Cindy H. says
Lizzie, I love your amazing garland! It’s things like this that make me wish I sewed.
Corinna says
Lizzie, your garland and even the ornaments by the other DT members, have inspired me! And OH NO!!!! I’m on The Felt Pod site and my jaw is literally hanging open. Oh. My. Word!! Order placed! I’ll post pictures of my Holiday felted projects as I complete them. WOW is all I can say about that garland, just WOW!!
kellyv says
Thanks, Lizzie! I should have checked your blog and I appreciate you filling me in. Your garland really is lovely!
Marjorie Dumontier says
All these creations are so cheerful !