project // felt ornaments with my benzie deep-etch dies

I wanted to do some Christmas in July projects, and it wouldn't be complete without felt ornaments, right? I make a lot of this kind of thing and I'm not stopping any time soon. The ornaments I'm sharing today use some of the deep-etch dies that I designed with Benzie, plus the Cozy Quilt Blocks pattern I have in my shop.

One of the things I love about the dies that I've made with Benzie, but also with their others, is that you can use them in lots of ways. I started with ornaments in mind, then have made felt food, a frame, a needlebook and pincushion, and more. But today I'm coming back to ornaments, but combining elements in different ways. And that's what you can do too!



I made two kawaii quilty ornaments, and two that are much simpler, with a tiny bit of sparkle. Each version has an ornament cut with the Squares and Scallops die (affiliate link) and the Hexagons and Scallops die (affiliate link).

If you want to make the quilty ones (and plenty of other blocks too), grab my Cozy Quilt Blocks pattern. All of the square blocks will fit on the square ornament I'm showing today, and the hexagon/diamond blocks will fit on the hexagon ornament.



The deep-etch dies work with a manual cutting machine. I use a Sizzix Big Shot, but any that use wafer-thin dies will work. I didn't think I needed one, but I make so many things with this now!

In addition to the dies and die cutter, you will need:

Wool Blend Felt
Embroidery Floss
Freezer Paper and Iron (for quilt ornaments)
Sequins (for simple shape ornaments)
Scissors
Craft Glue
Stuffing (for simple shape ornaments)



We're going to start with the quilty ornaments.

Cut out a front and back piece with the two largest hexagon dies. On freezer paper, trace six diamond shapes from the Cozy Quilt Block pattern (remember you can use other designs too). Iron the freezer paper to your felt.



For the square version, cut a front and back piece using the smaller set of square dies that have the stitch markings. Trace the pattern pieces you want for the quilt block onto freezer paper and iron that onto your felt.



Cut out all the quilt block pieces and peel off the paper.



Arrange the quilt pieces on the front ornament piece and use a tiny dot of glue to hold each piece in place. It's much easier to stitch them down if you do this.



Use two strands of matching embroidery floss to stitch the edges of the felt. Come up between the pieces or around the edge and go down through the felt piece you're attaching. Keep your stitches tiny and evenly spaced!



Embroider the face with three strands of black embroidery floss. I just freehanded mine, but the Cozy Quilt Blocks pattern has tips for this.



Stitch the front and back of the ornament together with running stitch, using the tiny holes as a guide. I usually use three strands of embroidery floss for this.



To add a hanger, anchor a length of embroidery floss with a knot hidden between the front and back layers of felt. Make a loop that's as long as you like, then anchor it at the other side. This creates a wider hanging loop.




And there you have two quilty ornaments! My pattern has these on circles, which I also like, but I think they look so cute on different shapes too. It's a fun way to mix it up.



Now let's make some simple shape ornaments. These are inspired by vintage geometric designs.

For the square, which is actually going to be a diamond here, use the smaller set of square dies that have the stitch markings, then all the rest of the smaller scalloped squares. Cut them out in alternating colors.



For the hexagon, which I'm calling a geometric rose, use the largest hexagon scallop die, and all the rest of the plain hexagons. Cut the scallop piece from green and the rest from whatever color you want for your rose.



I also grabbed some sequins for this because to me, vintage felt ornaments always have some sparkle.



Stack up all the scalloped squares. Thread a needle with three strands of coordinating embroidery floss and come up through the center. Thread a sequin on the thread and make a french knot through the middle. Don't pull the knot too tight or it will pull through.

The traditional way of attaching sequins is with a seed bead in the center, and you can certainly do that if you'd prefer.



Stack up the plain hexagons, rotating each one a little bit. Stitch a sequin through the center, then add more sequins around the open spaces.



Layer the front and back of the simple shapes ornaments and stitch around the edges with three strands and running stitch. Leave a gap to add a tiny bit of stuffing. This shows off the loose edges of felt and makes them more dimensional, but the stuffing is optional. Sew the opening closed.




Add a hanger at the corner of each and they are ready to display!






Which ornament will you be making?

Yes, it's a little early, but this is a great time to get a start on Christmas crafting. Plus, you can enjoy this sort of decoration any time of the year. I especially love hanging a single ornament on the wall near other framed art or embroidery. It's a perfect little accent!

project // christmas in july stitching with MSQ

It's a good time for Christmas in July and making some cute and easy projects with felt and embroidery! In fact, I have two free patterns that you can use different techniques with while making a stocking or an advent calendar.

Both of these projects start with stitchable bases, which means all you have to think about is adding embellishments. Depending on when you start these, you could take all the time you like with hand embroidery, you can take a bit more time and do felt applique, or you can make it super quick with felt and a bit of craft glue.



I'm starting with the Ho Ho Ho Stocking, which features a jolly Santa face. I made mine with felt and kept it super simple. The Santa face is actually the same one that's in my Kitschy Christmas felt ornament set, but it's larger for the stocking. Of course, if you want to make those ornaments, you can get the pattern in my Etsy shop.



The stocking and advent calendar I'm using here are both from Missouri Star Quilt Co., and were given to me as an MSQ Partner. I chose them because they are perfect for the kinds of things I design, and I thought you'd like them too! And if you use my affiliate link, it helps support what I do.

Here's what you'll need:

Missouri Star Blank Craft Base: Cotton/Canvas Stocking
Wool or wool blend felt
Freezer paper and pencil
Iron
Scissors
Embroidery floss
Needle
Craft glue

DOWNLOAD THE HO HO HO PATTERN

This pattern shows the design all together, which you can use as an embroidery pattern or as a placement guide. It also has the different elements as seperate pieces, which is what you'll need for working with felt. I'll be showing the felt version for the stocking.



Trace the patterns onto freezer paper and then iron the freezer paper onto your felt. I try to group the shapes by color.



Cut out the shapes that don't have any embroidery and then peel off the paper.



For the pieces that will have embroidery, use three strands of embroidery floss and stitch the markings through the paper. I used french knots for the eyes and scallop stitch for the nose and mouth.

On the ornament that this Santa is based on, I used matching skin-tone thread for the nose, but to make it simple here, I used black thread for everything.

Cut out the shapes and then carefully peel and tear away the freezer paper.



Arrange the shapes on the stocking cuff. If you're going to applique around them, use just a tiny bit of glue to hold them in place while you work. Or if you're skipping the stitching (as I did), use more glue so the pieces stay secure.



Simple and easy! If you are going to embroider or hand stitch the applique, it may help to unfold the cuff on the stocking and turn it inside out. But you can also just slide your hands under the cuff as you work.



When all the pieces are in place, your stocking is ready to hang by the chimney with care! Okay, so it may be a little early for that, but you get the idea.



This advent calendar is also from Missouri Star Quilt Co. (affiliate) and I love that it has 25 little pockets all ready for you. All you have to do is stitch!

You can do this one with embroidery (as shown...sort of!) or also with felt letters. The pattern features kawaii letters that are excited to see what's in each little pocket when you count down to Christmas. Of course, you could leave the faces off if you'd prefer. Choose super cute kawaii colors for the letters or go more traditional with red and green!

DOWNLOAD THE MERRY AND BRIGHT PATTERN

Like with the Ho Ho Ho pattern, there's a version with the letters overlapping like you see on the advent calendar and one with the letters seperate for working with felt.



Obviously this hanging calendar would be great for kids and families. You could put small candies or tiny trinket in the pockets, or even some little printed activity ideas, jokes, or other simple things like that. But what if you made a crafty advent calendar for yourself? Choose some goodies and small supplies like you see in mine and treat yourself!

Many thanks to Missouri Star Quilt Co. Start shopping MSQ (affiliate) and get a jump on Christmas!