Make a… Scandi Santa decoration

Step 1

STITCH on a 13x13cm (5x5in) piece of white 14 count aida fabric. Use individual backstitches rather than trailing across the aida where you can, as this will give a chequer board effect, particularly on Santa’s coat pattern.

Step 2

COMPLETE the stitching, then roll the aida around into a cone shape. Leaving one square of blank fabric either side of the outer red stitched rows at the back of Santa’s coat, fold the excess fabric to the wrong side of the stitching.

Step 3

CUT away some of the excess fabric from the bottom of the design carefully, leaving 6mm (¼in) of unstitched fabric below the stitching. Fold this inside the cone, and press with your fingers to get a neat edge.

Step 4

USE white sewing thread to catch stitch the back seam closed, inserting a folded 20cm (8in) length of white cord into the top of Santa’s hat, making sure you stitch the cord securely in place.

Step 5

STUFF Santa with toy stuffing or cotton wool. Cut a 7cm (2¾in) circle from a 10x10cm (4x4in) piece of red star fabric, then place the circle at the bottom of the cone – you may have to cut the circle slightly to fit the base. Over-sew around the bottom edge using small, neat stitches, attaching the aida to the fabric.