Always Time to Stitch,
Quartet of Country Ornaments
Skill Level: Easy
Fabric: Four 9"x 9" pieces 28-count milk chocolate linen from Wichelt Imports Inc.
Stitch Count
Lamp: 40H x 26W Mitten: 38H x 30W Stocking: 38H x 30W Tree: 39H x 30W
Design Size
Lamp: 27/ 8" x 17/ 8" Mitten: 25/ 8" x 21/ 8" Stocking: 23/4" x 21/ 8" Tree: 23/4" x 21/ 8"
Instructions: Cross stitch over two threads using two strands of floss. Where small symbols appear, work partial cross stitch.
Backstitch over two threads using one strand of floss unless otherwise noted below.
Stocking Ornament: Backstitch tree branches using four strands 7077. Backstitch plaid accents using two strands 7052 and two strands 7077.
Mitten Ornament: Backstitch top holly accents using four strands 7077. Backstitch writing using two strands 7052. Work French Knots using two strands 7052 and wrapping floss around needle twice.
Lamp Ornament: Backstitch hanger using four strands 310/45053.
Finishing Materials & Instructions
• 1 fat quarter Weeks Dye Works™ moss wool fabric #2201
• DMC® 310, 816 and 470
• Hemp cord for hangers
• Pinking shears Press stitched piece from reverse side
Trim stitched piece to 1/2" from backstitched outline on all sides, being sure to cut straight along linen line. (Fourteen linen threads will equal 1/2".) Fold under each edge 1/4" and press.
Using three strands 816, work blanket stitch around each side, keeping stitches two linen threads away from black backstitched outline.
Place stitched piece on wool fabric. Mark a stitching line 1/2" from stitched piece. Trim wool with pinking shears.
Center stitched piece on wool with wrong side of stitched piece on right side of wool. Using one strand 310 and sharp needle, join stitched piece to wool along black backstitch line with a running stitch. (The running stitch should blend in with the backstitches and be invisible.)
Cut a 9" length of hemp cord. On wool side of ornament, place one end of hemp cord 11/2" from top of ornament along runningstitch line. Using three strands 470, stitch the the hemp cord to wool without piercing the stitched piece. Sew about 1/2" of the hemp cord, just to the top of the backstitching line. (Do not stitch above the backstitching line; you do not want the stitching to show on the finished ornament.)
Stitch other end of hemp cord hanger in the same fashion.
Using pinking shears, cut a piece of wool 1/4" smaller than ornament piece on all sides. Using one strand of 470, whipstitch smaller wool piece to reverse side of ornament.
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