Friday 27 November 2009

Stuffed Ornament Tutorial


I've just added these chocolate ornaments to my shop, but if you feel like making your own, read on!

You'll need:
scraps of fabric
a pencil
stuffing
thread
and a sewing machine
a few pins (optional)
printing paraphernalia, embroidery equipment etc (all entirely optional)

Trace one circle and two semi-circles on fabric, using whatever's handy, circular, and appropriately sized to trace around. I use one of those plastic spools ribbon is sold on, so my circle is about 9cm diameter.
Extend the flat edges of the semi-circles about 1cm, for seam allowance.

Print, embroider, applique, or paint the circle, remembering that you'll lose a bit at the edges when it's sewn up.

Stitch the two pieces right sides together, leaving a gap in the middle of the seam big enough to stick stuffing through - about 4cm is comfortable.
Fold open and press the seam flat. (You can just use your fingernail or the back of a seam ripper if you don't feel like breaking out the iron.)
Place the two pieces wrong sides together, and pin if you need to. Set your machine for satin stitch: I set mine on zigzag, right near buttonhole, and reduce the pressure on the presser foot. Fiddle around a bit with your settings, and do a few tests to see what works with your fabric.
Stitch all the way around, just inside the edge of the circle. You might find it helps to draw a line just shy of the edge before you stitch - all depends on the presser foot you're using, and how easy it is to aim. Go slowly, gently turning the fabric. Stitch a little past your starting point, then go back and forth once or twice to secure.

Trim the excess fabric, taking care not to cut through the stitching.
Thread a needle with whatever you want to hang the ornament from, mark the mid-point of the top of the circle with your finger, and pull the thread through from inside to outside. Take a small stitch back inside, and knot the two ends of the thread together. Pull the loop out at the top so the knot catches inside.

Stuff, and sew up the seam using whipstitch or slipstitch. The edges will crinkle more or less depending on how firmly it's stuffed.

Hope that's all clear!

10 comments:

Denise Kiggan said...

Not only are the decorations beautiful, but your tut drawings are too!

Anne said...

These are so cool! And toddler-friendly, too!

I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/jezzeprints

--Anne

Anairam said...

Aaaah, chocolate. My favourite. I think they should dedicate an entire separate holiday for chocolate. Thanks for the tutorial, btw ...

Anonymous said...

prettypretty:-) Thanks for sharing; I'll try to create some with my kids!

Unknown said...

Darling chocolate ornaments!!! What a sweet way to decorate a tree.

Anonymous said...

These look very nice indeed.. Thanks for sharing the how-to. Can't wait for mine to arrive and hang them on the tree.

Pinktulip said...

Thanks for sharing. Those chocolates are driving me nuts! Every time I visit your blog and see your choc print fabrics, my mouth waters. I think you did a fabulous job with your prints. I can't remember any food related prints making my mouth water before!

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

Oh how pretty! Thanks so much for this, I'll be linking.

Geek+Nerd said...

These are adorable, I just love our prints!

TOUCHEE MAIS PAS COULER said...

c'est très jolie et originale!