Finishing Instructions

Flat-Ornament Finishing Instructions

Materials

• Padded mat board

• Thin quilt batting (optional) • Coordinating fabric for backing • Double-sided tape (optional) • Hot-glue gun or craft glue (optional)

1. Cut two pieces of mat board to desired ornament size (1/8"–1" larger than stitched design). If desired, cut quilt batting to same size as mat board; adhere batting to board using doublesided tape.

2. Press stitched piece from reverse side, straightening as much as possible.

3. Center stitched piece faceup on batting side of mat board and trim around stitched piece so fabric is at least 1/2" wider than edge of mat board. Keeping fabric taut, carefully fold excess fabric to the back and glue to mat board. Repeat with second piece of mat board and backing fabric.

4. With wrong sides together, blind stitch or glue backing piece to back side of stitched piece board.

5. Attach desired trim and hanger.

Pillow-Ornament Finishing Instructions

Materials

• Coordinating backing fabric • Polyester fiberfill • Fabric-marking pencil • Straight pins

• Sewing machine (optional)

1. Press stitched piece from reverse side, straightening as much as possible. 2. On wrong side of fabric, measure desired distance (1/8"–1") from stitched design on all sides and draw a line this distance from edge of design all around, staying on fabric grain line if possible. Do not cut fabric. Place stitched piece on backing fabric with right sides together and pin layers together along marked line

around stitched design. Note: If desired, decorative trim can be sandwiched between layers, with decorative edge to the inside.

3. Sew around design along drawn line, leaving bottom edge of ornament open. Trim excess fabric to 1/4" seam allowance. Trim corners to 1/8" seam allowance. Turn ornament right side out. Press.

4. Stuff ornament as desired with fiberfill. Turn bottom fabric edges inside and sew the opening closed.

5. Attach desired trim and hanger.

Twisted-Cording Instructions

Materials

• Embroidery floss, pearl cotton or other fiber to complement stitching Note: To determine amount needed, see step 1. Refer to ornament color code for specific colors and fibers used.

• Mini cording drill or hand mixer with

one beater

• Large carabiner

1. To determine the length of floss needed, multiply the desired finished length of cording by three, making sure to include any length needed for the hanger when finishing an ornament.

2. Using numbers of floss strands to achieve desired thickness, place all lengths of floss together and tie a knot in each end.

3. If using a cording drill, slip one knotted end of floss onto hook. Make a loop at the opposite end and slip onto the carabiner; attach the carabiner to a standing object such as a drawer pull or doorknob. Pull so that floss is taut. Operate drill in a forward direction; floss will begin to twist. Continue twisting until floss is very tightly twisted and is about to twist upon itself.

4. Carefully remove knotted end from drill hook, being extremely careful not to let go of end and keeping twisted floss taut.

5. Tie end that was removed from drill to carabiner, still keeping floss taut. Place hook of drill in center of length of twisted floss. Operate drill in a reverse direction until desired twist for cording is achieved. Remove drill. Remove ends from carabiner and secure with another knot.

6. If using hand mixer, follow steps 3 and 4, attaching one knotted end of floss to beater and using slow speed. Remove loop from carabiner and fold length in half, making sure to keep twisted floss taut.

7. Twist both ends of folded length until desired look is achieved. Tie ends opposite from folded end together to hold twist. Note: Cording can be made by one person; however, the procedure can be awkward at times, especially when dealing with long lengths of floss— an extra set of hands is always helpful!