These are my favourite Christmas decorations, and so easy to make.
To make these, you will need:
When creating templates for anything, I find it easier to draw a picture of what you want to create, and then draw a cm border seam allowance right around the picture. This way, your picture inside will be the finished shape of your creation.
It's too easy to make the mistake of cutting out the picture as you've drawn it, and then finding once its sewn and stuffed, its a completely different shape to what you'd envisaged.
Using your template, draw and cut out the two sides of your dove.
Cut a length of ribbon and place it right side down, with loop end upside down, between the two pieces of felt. Make sure the ends are sticking out of the felt at the top, so you can sew them securely.
Pin, and sew around the edges with a running stitch, taking care to keep the shape of the bird, and leaving a 1.5 inch gap at the neck, to turn out and stuff.
Once sewn, gently snip round the extra felt with pinking shears, or fabric scissors, to trim excess fabric.
Your dove should look something like this...
To make these, you will need:
MATERIALS....
White felted wool
Velvet ribbon (I use 6mm ribbon)
Small silver bells
Polyfibre or natural Kapok for filling
Small faux diamante
White thread
Christmas fragrance oil or Essential oil
TOOLS....
Sewing machine
Hand sewing needle
Pins
Pencil and card to make a template
Scissors
Pinking Shears (optional)
1. Draw a Template.
It's too easy to make the mistake of cutting out the picture as you've drawn it, and then finding once its sewn and stuffed, its a completely different shape to what you'd envisaged.
Using your template, draw and cut out the two sides of your dove.
2. Pin and Sew.
Cut a length of ribbon and place it right side down, with loop end upside down, between the two pieces of felt. Make sure the ends are sticking out of the felt at the top, so you can sew them securely.
Pin, and sew around the edges with a running stitch, taking care to keep the shape of the bird, and leaving a 1.5 inch gap at the neck, to turn out and stuff.
Once sewn, gently snip round the extra felt with pinking shears, or fabric scissors, to trim excess fabric.
Your dove should look something like this...
3. Turn, Shape, and Fill.
Carefully turn right side out, using a blunt pencil or similar object to get into the narrow parts like the tips of the wings, and beak. Felted wool can be manipulated into shape if your dove looks a little different from your template! It should now look something like this....
With your chosen scent, sprinkle a few drops onto your filling (a large hand full should be enough) and 'fluff' up'. My Kapok is left to cure for a few days to take on the scent, but this isn't necessary if using polyfibre filling.
4. Sew up, and Embellish!
Turn the opening in, and press into shape.
Then, using your white thread, hand sew small slip stitches to close.
Sew on your bow and bell with a few stitches, and stick on your faux diamante for the eye. Hang up, and enjoy!
You make it sound so easy !!! I'll give it a go and see how mine turns out ��x
ReplyDeleteOh! Do send a pic if you do! L xx
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