using iron-on transfer to make Christmas ornaments

I was leafing through some of my iron-on embroidery transfer books this morning and couldn’t resist coming up with a Christmas project using them.

I’m using transfer from the Dover book “Art Nouveau Floral Iron-On Transfer Patterns”, by Ed Sibbett Jr.

I started off by following the directions to transfer the image onto some plain, unbleached muslin:

The image is only about 2″ across.  I used a heavy-weight iron-on interfacing on the back to stabilize it for free motion embroidery.

I decided to use Christmas colors of rayon machine embroidery thread.  I very carefully embroidered around the lines – it’s definitely a project to do when you have good light!  I don’t think I would do this at night, at least not in my studio

I trimmed 1/4″ from the embroidery, all the way around.  I cut out & interfaced a second piece of muslin and stitched it to the back, approximately 1/8″ from the edge.  I used a sheer ribbon to create a hanger.  I

You could leave the ornament at this stage if you prefer a more rustic look, or…

You could add more!  I used a variegated embroidery thread to satin stitch around the outside & water proof ink to add some shading to the leaves & petals.

I’m all inspired to go through the rest of my transfer patterns & make more ornaments now!