Finishing Instructions
Flat-Ornament Finishing Instructions Materials
• Matboard • Thin quilt batting (optional) • Coordinating fabric for backing • Double-sided tape (optional) • Hot- glue gun or craft glue (optional) • Desired trim and hanger
1. Cut two pieces of matboard to desired ornament size (1/8"–1" larger than stitched design). If desired, cut quilt batting to same size as matboard; adhere batting to board using double-sided tape.
2. Press stitched piece from reverse side, straightening as much as possible.
3. Center stitched piece faceup on batting side of matboard and trim around stitched piece so that fabric is at least 1/2" beyond edges of matboard. Keeping fabric taut, carefully fold excess fabric to the back and glue to matboard or lace to secure edges. Repeat with second piece of matboard and backing fabric.
4. Attach desired trim and hanger.
5. With wrong sides together, blind-stitch or glue backing piece to ornament front.
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. 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 edge of stitched design. Note: If desired, trim and/ or hangers can be sandwiched between layers, with decorative edge to the inside.
3. Sew around ornament along drawn line, leaving bottom of ornament open. Trim excess fabric to 1/4" seam allowance. Trim corners to 1/8" seam allowance. Turn ornament to right side.
4. Stuff ornament as desired with fiberfill. Turn bottom fabric edges inside and sew the opening closed.
5. Attach desired trim and hanger.
Hoop Finishing Instructions
Materials
• Embroidery hoop
• Felt for backing, cut to size of hoop
• Thread and hand-sewing needle (optional)
• Clear- drying craft glue
1. Press stitched piece from reverse side, straightening as much as possible.
2. Place stitched piece in hoop, centering design and positioning hoop screw at center top. Trim excess fabric to leave 1" border around edge.
3. Carefully fold excess fabric to back of hoop; if needed, excess fabric can be laced together with thread to hold in place. Glue felt to back of hoop, trimming as needed. Allow to dry overnight.
Twisted-Cording Instructions Materials
• Embroidery floss, pearl cotton or other fiber to complement stitching Note: Refer to color code for specific colors and fibers used in project.
• Hand mixer with one beater or mini cording drill
• 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. Place all lengths of floss together and tie a knot in each end. Make a loop in one end and slip it onto the carabiner; attach carabiner to a standing object, such as a drawer pull or doorknob.
3. If using mini cording drill, follow manufacturer’s instructions.
4. If using hand mixer, tie the free end of the knotted floss to the end of the beater. Pull so that floss is taut. Using slow speed, twist floss until it is very tightly twisted and is about to twist upon itself. 5. Keeping tension taut, cut end from beater and remove loop end from carabiner. Fold in half. 6. 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!