ornamentation: don't be crewel

One of my goals for 2011 was to try out some other types of embroidery. One that I've really been itching to experiment with was crewel. Well, I haven't played with it too much, but with today's ornament, I've at least gotten my feet wet!



This one is inspired by my first Christmas stocking. My mom made it for me 32 years ago, and it continues to make me happy! On the stocking are some little trees, and so I used that design for this. It was easy to do, and didn't require learning any new stitches!

Here's what you'll need:
Fabric with a semi-loose weave (I used osnaburg)
3" embroidery hoop
Water-soluble pen
Wool embroidery floss
Felt
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Ribbon



Place your fabric in the hoop and draw a simple triangle tree.




Fill in the tree and trunk with satin stitches. Add some straight stitches for garland, and french knots for ornaments and a star.



Trim around the fabric, leaving a border of about 3/8". Use hot glue to hold it onto the back of your hoop, working a little at a time. Be careful! The glue dries fast, so you have to work fast, but that means that it's going to be really hot and it could squish through the fabric onto your fingers!




Cut a piece of felt the same size as the outer embroidery ring. Again, working a little at a time, hot glue around the edge and press the felt on. This part is optional, but it makes the back nice and pretty.



Tie on a little bow and add a ribbon for the hanger. (I just love this really skinny grosgrain!)



And there you have a modern twist on a pattern from over 30 years ago! These stitch up quick, so I'm tempted to make a lot more. Perhaps I'll try the little train engine from my stocking next!