kiSS mY cRaFts: Calico Ornaments- Christmas in July Fun

Summer is the perfect time to think ahead with the kids home towards the holiday season. Here is a simple yet fun way to create ornaments for your trees, wreaths or to hang on the outside of Holiday gifts.

Ages 8 and Up

Need:
Cardstock to draw your template shape

(Large Cookie Cutters)

Pencil

Calico Fabric

Polyfill

Glue

Crochet thread

Large Needle

Sequins, braid, bells, ribbons, rickrack

Step 1:

Draw a simple shape or design on your cardstock. If you have large cookie cutters these are perfect just trace around the outside of the cookie cutter onto the card stock.

Step 2:
Cut out the shape on your trace line

Step 3:

Fold your Calico fabric (can be any solid color or print) with the right sides together and lay your template on the wrong side. Trace around the template. This will be your sewing line.

Step 4:

Sew on the trace line all the way around your ornament. You can use a sewing machine or sew by hand using your crochet thread and makeing small close stitches.

Step 5:

Seperate the 2 layers of fabric by gently rubbing them in-between your fingers. Make a 1 inch cut through ONE SIDE of the fabric only.

Step 6:
Turn the ornament right side out through the slit you cut. The slit will be on the back of the ornament.

Step 7:

Stuff your ornament with polyfill. If you want scented ornament take a cotton ball and add a small amount of essential or fragrance oil to the cotton ball. Place the ball inside the ornament and add stuffing around it.

Step 8:
Whip stitch the slit closed with your crochet thread.

Step 9:
Add a 4" loop to the top of your ornament using your crochet thread.

Step 10:

Decorate it with sequins, bells, rickrack or braid if you wish. You can sew them on or glue them using a clear tacky glue.

If you have scented your ornaments place them inside a plastic baggie until the holidays to keep them nicely scented.

If you use a printed fabric you don't even have to add any extra decorations. Use your imagination. I made a reindeer and added dried tree branches for the antlers. Is your dad a hunter or fisherman?

Why not create dad a special tree for him with animal shapped ornaments? We made one for my hubby to take to work last year and all the contractors loved it. We scented ours lightly with cinnamon and Texas cedarwood and all the hunters went nuts.

The main thing is TO HAVE FUN!

Little hint for non sewers:

Don't sew then do steps 1-3.

Turn your cut pieces right side up and add a small amount of polyfill to the middle of the bottom layer. Run a line of tracky glue around the outside edge of the bottom fabric piece (it will be on the inside of the fabric). Place a loop of yarn 4 inches long and tied in a knot at the top of your ornament and add glue to the top and bottom of the knot. The knot should be INSIDE the ornament. NOW place the top fabric piece onto the bottom piece. Make sure the right sides of the fabric are facing outwards. Press them together and let them dry on wax paper. Once they are dry you can add your sequins and decorations.

These are fun for little ones to make as long as an adult does the cutting!

Have fun and we would love to see some of your creations. Send finished pictures to sandi@rustytinroof.com and we will show them off here on our blog.