I printed the pattern out so that the body of the bird is approximately four and a half inches long:

If you want to adjust the size of the pattern, use the “print screen” button on your keyboard.  Open up your photo editing software (The Gimp is totally free and available online) and open up a new project or page.  Hit “Ctrl” “V” at the same time – that should paste the pattern into the document.  You can then adjust the size from there.

Either that or take it to a copy shop and let them increase the size as needed.

I used a plain, polyester fiber-fill to stuff the ornament.  I didn’t stuff it too firmly, because I didn’t want to stuffing to poke out through the blanket stitching.

Any more questions?  Let me know!

image: © C Findlay-Harder

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how-to of the day – free pattern tutorial sewing christmas ornaments with sequins – pattern sizing

This year, I’m using felt and Bettsi McCombs’ lovely “Folk Bird” pattern to make my ornaments.   I sewed three sequins onto each wing (using my free tutorial from last week) and sewed each seam using blanket stitch.  The eyes are the same beads I used to sew the sequins on.

In one evening I sewed the complete ornament – I think I may make more now!

image: © C Findlay-Harder 

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how-to of the day – sewing sequins onto Christmas ornaments – the finished ornament

I love making Christmas ornaments, and I ended up creating quite a few original Christmas ornament patterns last year.

Here are some of my favorite Christmas ornament tutorials and how-tos from last year.  As always, these are my own original patterns and are not to be copied or reposted elsewhere without my permission.

Dog paw-print ornament (part one and part two):

 Machine-embroidered Christmas tree ornament:

 Russian punch-needle or Igolochkoy ornament (part one, part two and part three):

 Yo-yo Christmas tree ornament:

 Happy Christmas crafting!

all images: © C Findlay-Harder

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Favorite Christmas tree ornament tutorials, free patterns & ideas

I used plain cotton DMC floss for the berries, outline of the leaves & the border. The pale green leaves are silk floss that I picked up in a little silk shop in Vancouver. The cream floss is an ombre “Waterlilies” floss by Caron.

I didn’t use a pattern for this project, I just drew right on the fabric – iron on transfers would work great though too! I can definitely tell that I haven’t done any igolochkoy in awhile, I need more time to get my stitches nice & even

I found one video on YouTube that shows how to thread an igolochkoy needle – it’s not in English though…

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igolochkoy Christmas tree ornament

Of course, when I’m not able to check my email or write, I do have a chance to play with techniques in my studio

I finally picked up an embroidery hoop (actually I got three) and have been working on a little igolochkoy (Russian punch needle) Christmas tree ornament.   Here’s what the front looks like so far:

The needle creates a little tuft of thread as you push it through the back.  I’ll post a more detailed look at how the needles work tomorrow.

Here’s what the back looks like:

Keep in mind, I haven’t done any igolochkoy for a good ten years, so it’s a little sloppier than I’d like

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playing with igolochkoy

The igolochkoy fairy paid me a visit this morning (thanks Mum!) and I now have an inspiring box of punch needles & bunka thread.

I’ve got my pattern drawn onto the base fabric.

I’ve got all my colors selected.

I now have the needles.

Ready to go?  Unfortunately, no.

I’ve mislaid my embroidery hoop, somewhere – in my studio – or downstairs in my basement/fabric storage pit.  I’ve gone through a dozen boxes with no luck.  I think I may need to bite the bullet and buy a new hoop.  Oh well…

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ready to start igolochkoy? no?

I’ve been thinking about taking up igolochkoy again.  It’s also known as Russian punch-needle embroidery and I used to love doing it as a child & teenager.  It’s a technique of embroidery, using a fine needle to push floss or thread through fabric, leaving a little loop on the right side.  When it’s finished the surface almost feels like velvet or carpet.

These are the original punches I learned with – unfortunately I’ve lost mine!

I’ve been browsing and have found some charming patterns that would be perfect for getting back into igolochkoy:

These Christmas ornaments are from Designs from the Pep’r Pot.

This bird was designed by Full Circle.

So there’s my “lost” technique that I’d like to get back into – what’s yours?

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Igolochkoy or Russian punch-needle embroidery