Make a… festive decoration

Step 1

ADD your embellishments after the cross stitch is complete. Using the picture for placement, add sequins to the bauble on the right, and a circle of ric-rac with a star shaped sequin in the centre of the round bauble on the left. The horse has strips of ric-rac added to the saddle, held in place using long stitches, and star sequins stitched to the background using the yellow dots on the chart for placement. The owl has strips of ric-rac behind the buttons for the eyes, and a strip for his hat, held in place using long stitches.

Step 2

CUT your stitched aida so that you have 2.5cm (1in) around of your design, on all sides. Cut your backing fabric to the same size. With right-sides together, place the stitching on top of the backing fabric. Stitch around the design with a 12mm (½in) seam allowance on all sides, leaving a gap on one side for turning. Trim away some of the seam allowance, and then turn to the right-side. Fill with toy stuffing, and then sew up the gap with small, neat stitches.

Step 3

CUT a length of baker’s twine, then using a large-eyed needle, thread through the top of the padded decoration in both corners, finishing the thread ends with knots at the front.

Visit www. therange.co.uk for a wide range of ric-rac you can use for this challenge!