Tonight is the Christmas Party for my quilt guild and this year I volunteered to host it. I wanted to make an ornament for everyone to take home. After a bit of pondering I came up with these. I got a little carried away and made enough to cover this little tree. Everyone might be able to take two!
I even made a star!
These were so much fun and so simple that I may make more of them. I can see all kinds of themes with colors and shapes. Here's how I made them.
What you will need:
Fusible Web - I use Mistyfuse because it fuses sheer and you can fuse several layers together and still see through to the bottom layer. You need enough for about 4 layers of fusing.
Base fabric - I used a piece that was 18" square and that gave me about 50 ornaments and the star. I used an old fabric that I didn't like because it wasn't going to be visible in the final project. Depending on what you are layering you might want a base fabric that is in your color theme.
Bits and pieces - I used tiny bits of hand dyed fabric as my first layer and added bits of yarn, metallic fibers and Angelina fibers
Tulle - for the top layer
Felt - For the backing
Cording or ribbon - for the hanger
Decorative thread - I used metallic thread
The instructions:
Start with your base fabric and fuse Mistyfuse to it. Start layering on your first layer of bits. Keep adding layers, alternating with Mistyfuse, until you are happy. The final layer will be Mistyfuse and then tulle to trap it all down. Here's how mine went together:
Base fabric
Mistyfuse
Fabric bits covering most of the base fabric
Mistyfuse
More fabric bits to completely cover the base fabric
Mistyfuse
Drizzled yarns and metallic threads
Mistyfuse
Angelina fibers and tulle
Here's what it looked like before the last layer of Mistyfuse, Angelina fibers and Tulle.
At this point it's still very pliable and can easily be stitched. If you use another type of fusible you may want to do fewer layers. BUt I still haven't done any stitching and that's what makes these so fast and easy to make.
Now the fun begins. Cut the enbellished fabric into shapes. I used my 30 degree mark on my ruler to cut some diamonds that I then cut them inot half to get tree shapes. I also used my Go! cutter to cut teardrops, circles and stars.
Cut a piece of ribbon or cording for the hanger and use a bit of tape to hold it in place on the back. Cut a chunk of felt larger than the ornament and place the ornament right side up on the felt. I cut several large pieces of felt so I could stitch a few at a time.
Sew the ornament to the felt around the edges. Hold your hanger in place as you sew around. I used metallic thread and a simple straight stitch but you could use a decorative stitch. Trim away the excess felt with pinking shears or other decorative scissors.
That's all there is to it! I made about 50 of these ornaments in one evening and I wasted a lot of that time making Chris look at them as I completed them. You could do the same thing with card stock as a backing and use them as gift tags.
I even used a few to decorate the tree skirt. I hope the ladies like them!
Cute idea...great results! I'm sure your ladies will love them.
Posted by: Deb Levy | December 13, 2011 at 09:47 AM
These are cool, Vicki!
Posted by: Kristin | December 13, 2011 at 10:40 AM
You are such an inspiration - ALWAYS creating some new and wonderful!
See you this evening.
Posted by: Becky in VA | December 13, 2011 at 01:11 PM
Easy and fun - kids could really enjoy putting on the fun bits and with a little supervision could even make the ornaments.
Posted by: Summerset | December 13, 2011 at 01:22 PM
Wonderful idea. Have fun at your party!
Posted by: Terri | December 13, 2011 at 02:52 PM
Fantastic!!! Thanks for the tutorial. Have fun tonight!!!
Posted by: Jeannie | December 13, 2011 at 02:59 PM
Perfect gift idea for everyone to take home. Have fun and thanks for the how-to.
Posted by: Marty Mason | December 13, 2011 at 04:49 PM
Wonderful tutorial and something different and quick to make.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie St. Germain | December 13, 2011 at 05:10 PM
These are so fun and great tutorial!
Posted by: Gina | December 13, 2011 at 05:59 PM
They remind me of stained glass. Have a fun party!
Posted by: Stephanie | December 13, 2011 at 07:22 PM
How sweet and cute. I am sure they will lvoe them! Have fun at your party!
Posted by: Cindy Is Crafty | December 13, 2011 at 08:55 PM
Thanks for a nice evening at your home and take-home ornaments. I thought about taking the star - just kidding!
Posted by: Becky in VA | December 14, 2011 at 11:16 AM
I found your post very interesting and might get around to trying this technique one day. May I ask a question, how did you attach the star to the top of your tree?
Many thanks!
Posted by: Susan | December 14, 2011 at 07:14 PM
Wow Vicki, these are really beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Connie | December 16, 2011 at 03:23 PM
These are so terrific! And fantastic tutorial!!
Posted by: Iris | December 19, 2011 at 02:06 AM