Project by Suzanne Springall
Fabric: Scandi Sweet Treats
Sew these cute hanging decorations for Christmas. This project is perfect for gorgeous Christmas fat quarter fabrics. Stitch a few decorations onto a length of ribbon to make the perfect mini garland or use them individually as tree decorations.
What you will need:
Christmas print fabric. Quilting cotton is perfect. Make sure to choose a print with some clear images that will allow you to cut and stitch around each motif
Small pieces of medium weight fusible interfacing
An embroidery hoop
Embroidery sewing needle
A selection of embroidery threads
Coloured felt sheet
Ribbon to use for a hanging loop
Dressmaker’s pins
Step 1: Once you have chosen the image for your decoration, place the fabric into the embroidery hoop ensuring your chosen image is in the centre of the hoop. The fabric should be taut, but not too tight.
Step 2: Using a selection of matching threads, stitch around the outline and any other details of your image. I’ve used two strands of thread for most of the details and one strand for some of the finer details such as the stars on the tree. Have fun with your stitches. I’ve used a mix of Back stitch, Running stitch, Satin stitch, Daisy stitch, Split stitch, and Star stitch. You can find instructions for all these embroidery stitches online.
Tip: Don’t worry too much about using a small knot to secure your thread at the back of your work. Any ends will be covered by the felt backing.
Step 3: Once you have finished stitching the details and removed your fabric from the hoop, press a piece of light or medium weight fusible interfacing to the back of your work according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The interfacing will provide some structure to your decoration and will prevent the cotton from fraying once cut.
Step 4: Following the shape of your image, trim around the edge leaving approximately a 0.5cm allowance.
Step 5: Pin your image to a piece of felt which is at least 1 cm bigger on all sides than your image. Using a sewing machine, stitch around the edge of your image to attach it to the felt.
Tip: You may find it easier to reduce the length of your stitches and use a free motion foot if you have one.
Place another piece of felt onto the back of your work, securing it with a couple of pins. Fold a length of ribbon in two and place the ends in between the two pieces of felt. This is the hanging loop. The length of ribbon will depend on how long you want your decoration to be.
Step 6: Sew around your image once again, making sure you catch both ends of the ribbon in your stitching. This second line of stitches will determine the final shape of your decoration and should be stitched approximately between 3mm and 5mm outside your first line of stitching.
You can now cut away any excess felt around the edges of your decoration.
Step 7: Pop your decorations onto your tree and enjoy.
Tip: If you wish to make your decorations into a mini garland, use a shorter hanging ribbon loop on each decoration which can then be sewn onto a longer length of ribbon or cord to make a garland.
To see more from Suzanne, follow her on Instagram @suzumakes!
Made by Suzanne Springall for The Craft Cotton Co 2022.