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Felt Star & Fabric Wreath Tutorial – Part One | Mandy Shaw Wreath-Along
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Quick Links: What you'll need Project steps
Welcome to the very first part of our Christmas Wreath-Along, created by designer Mandy Shaw!
Over the course of this week, we’ll be sharing two felt projects every day, giving you everything you need to create a beautiful handmade Christmas decoration that you’ll be proud to hang on your door.
In part one, we’re starting with the foundations: a wreath base and a simple felt star. These are quick and satisfying projects that will introduce you to the techniques you’ll use throughout the Christmas Wreath-Along. Come back tomorrow for part two!
The Stitch and Cut Technique
Mandy has used the 'Stitch and Cut' technique to make most of the Christmas characters and motifs. The advantage is that you can make your decorations in batches at the sewing machine, leaving the hand finishing for later if time allows. You will find that it is a very accurate way to create lots of decorations in super-quick time. Mandy likes to use iron-on freezer paper for making the patterns, but if you have none, just use ordinary paper and pin it onto the fabric instead. 1. Trace the template onto freezer paper but do not cut out. 2. Take your main piece of felt and fold it in half. Iron the freezer paper pattern onto the folded felt fabric. 3. Stitch on the marked line using the sewing machine set to a very small stitch (no. 2), and sew all the way round leaving no gaps. 4. Remove the freezer paper pattern; it will help you to tear off the paper more easily if you scratch along the stitching line first with a thick pin or needle. 5. Cut out the decoration about 2mm (1⁄8in) from the sewn line as neatly as you can. Cut a slit (or slits) where indicated on the pattern through one layer of the fabric only, and gently fill with stuffing. Ladder stitch the stuffing slit closed.How To Finish Your Felt Decorations By Hand
Once you have made all your decorations at the machine, you may want to finish around the outside edges with a hand-stitched blanket stitch worked in a contrasting embroidery thread. This is a nice relaxing activity for long winter evenings. However, if you have cut out very neatly, there is no need to do this – although it does give a lovely hand-stitched look. The choice is up to you!Prefer To Sew It All By Hand?
Mandy has made most of the decorations on the machine, stitching on the marked lines of the pattern before cutting them out, but you can just as easily make your decorations by hand if you prefer. Trace your character or motif template onto plain paper and cut it out. Draw around your pattern onto felt twice and cut out the marked shapes. Place the cut felt pieces together and hold in place with a pin; sew around the edge with a hand blanket stitch leaving a small gap for stuffing – do not unthread the needle. Fill with stuffing, then continue the blanket stitch to sew up the gap.When It's Time To Assemble Your Wreath
Mandy recommends that you use a glue gun to fix the decorations in place onto the wreath as sewing or pinning them in position would be very tricky. However, before you do so, lay them out on the wreath first to get the best arrangement. For example, Mandy glued the snowflake in position first and added the stars last of all, to provide a dash of colour wherever it was needed.About the Author: Mandy Shaw
Mandy Shaw runs Dandelion Designs, a craft design and kit company in Hailsham, East Sussex. She teaches weekly quilting classes and lectures and demonstrates all over the country. Her work has featured on BBC2's Leisure Hour and she also appeared on Kirstie Allsop's Homemade Home. She has written for a number of craft publications including Popular Patchwork and Fabrications magazines. You can visit her website at dandeliondesigns.co.ukAbout the Book
This tutorial is taken from Mandy Shaw's book How to Make Christmas Wreaths and Garlands (David & Charles). Packed with ideas for creating beautiful decorations from fabric and felt, Mandy guides you through a collection of Christmas wreaths and garlands, with projects designed to help you create decorations that can be enjoyed year after year.Member Discount
All Half Yard Sewing Club Members can get 30% off How to Make Christmas Wreaths and Garlands with their membership. Just click here for your exclusive offer code!Register for free! If you'd like to view this project, simply register here or log in if you already have an account.
You will need:
Equipment
- Sewing machine
- Sewing needle
- Scissors
- Pins
- Tape measure or ruler
- Glue gun
Materials
- Two pieces of felt, each measuring 43 x 43cm (17 x 17in) for the wreath
- Sewing thread to match or contrast with your felt choice, plus red and yellow thread
- 25cm (10in) length of ribbon or tape for the wreath
- 20 x 10cm (8 x 4in) yellow felt per star
- Egg cup of stuffing per star
- Small red button per star
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Project steps:
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