Otros en paño lency

Embroidered Felt Advent Calendar

November 20, 2008

purl bee
This Embroidered Felt Advent calendar is contemporary
and cheerful with bold contrasting pockets made from our
new w o o l f e l t . The embroidered numbers give that extra
special something for generations to come.

Materials

1 14-inch vintage knitting needle (or similar object for

hanging calendar)

E m b r o i d e r y T h r e a d

• 1 ball Valdani, Thunder #200

C o t t o n S e w i n g T h r e a d

• 1 spool Gutermann color 1040 (large or small

is fine)
• 1 spool Gutermann color 5980 (small spool)
• 1 spool Gutermann color 7880 (small spool)

W o o l F e l t

• 4 pieces 5mm Ecru Wool Felt from Wollfilz

• 1 piece each 1 8 - i n c h x 1 8 - i n c h W o o l F e l t f r o m
W o o l f i l z in the following colors (pictured above
from left to right, top to bottom)
o Spring #49
o Grass #44
o Fuchsia #28
o Tomato #6

o Red #7
o Olive #43
o Lime #42
T o o l s

• Straight Pins
• Embroidery Needles
• Iron On Transfer Pencils in Blue and Red

• Rotary Cutter
• 6.5-inch x 24.5-inch (or similar) Cutting Ruler
• Iron
• Sewing Machine with Zig Zag Stitch
• Masking Tape

Transfer Numbers
Download and print numbers.

There are 5 pages, 2 pages have 2 colors each. Please note

which numbers are grouped together. You will transfer all
of the numbers at one time onto the appropriate color of
felt.

With your iron-on transfer pencils, trace numbers directly

onto the print-out. (Note: use blue pencil for red fabrics
and red pencils for green fabrics). Be sure to mark the
corners too as you will need them later for cutting.

With a hot iron transfer numbers onto felt. It will take

approximately 40 seconds of pressing firmly with the iron
to get the transfer dark enough. Keep the iron moving
during this time so you don't burn the paper or felt.

Embroider Numbers

Make a quilter's knot (for a step by step tutorial on making

a quilter's knot, visit our Q u i l t e r ' s K n o t H o w - T o ). Insert
needle from the back and come out at the top of the
number.
Stitch the numbers using the transfer as your guide with a
chain stitch (visit our c h a i n s t i t c h t u t o r i a l for complete
instructions on working this stitch).
Normally a chain stitch is left with an obvious loop, but
for this project you want to draw the thread tight enough to
close the loop. The goal here is to create a double-wide
stitch so that your embroidery will show up clearly.

Cut Numbers
Use your rotary cutter to cut the numbers from the felt.
Each piece will be 2 1/2-inches square. Use the corner
marks you transfered originally as a guide to make sure
that your numbers are centered properly.

For a lesson on using a rotary cutter, visit our Rotary Cutter

Tutorial.
Cut Pockets

The following directions will allow you to replicate

exactly how we mixed and matched the colors on our
advent calendar.

Use your rotary cutter to cut the pockets from the felt.
Each pocket will be 3-inches square.

First cut 3-inch strips from all seven colors of felt and then
cut the exact number of 3-inch squares listed below and
use them for the pocket with the numbers indicated in the
parenthesis:

3-inch squares (for pockets):

• color #6, 3 squares (pockets number 1, 9, 17)

 • color #7, 3 squares (pockets number 4, 11,
21)
• color #28, 5 squares (pockets number 3, 8,
13, 18, 23)
• color #42, 3 squares (pockets number 6, 7,
15)
• color #43, 3 squares (pockets number 10, 14,
20)
• color #44, 4 squares (pockets number 2, 12,
19, 24)
• color #49, 3 squares (pockets number 5, 16,
22)

Sew embroidered Squares to Pocket

squares
 Center each
embroidered square on the appropriate color pocket square
leaving 1/4-inch of the pocket fabric showing on all four
sides. Pin the squares together on all four sides. The more
pins the better.

Use a straight stitch to sew the two squares together. Begin

stitching along one side, continue to corner. When you
come to the corner leave needle in the down position, raise
presser foot and reorient square to continue sewing. Repeat
at remaining corners. When you come back to the
beginning of the seam take a few back-stitches. Trim
threads.
Layout Pockets and Measure
Placement

On a large surface, place all four pieces of 5mm ecru felt

end to end.

Layout the sewn pockets in order from 1-24 with 6 pockets

on each 5mm piece of felt. To ensure that all pockets are
equally spaced, measure as described below:

The top three pockets (numbers 1, 2, 3) should be 1 1/2-

inches from the top edge of the top piece of thick felt (or
the top of the calendar). The bottom three pockets
(numbers 22, 23, 24) should be 1 1/2-inches from the
bottom edge of the bottom piece of thick felt (or bottom of
the calendar). All the pockets that run along the right and
left sides of the calendar should be 3/4-inch from the
edges. Moving from the top of the calendar to the bottom,
there should be 3-inches in between each row of pockets.
Going from left to right, there should be approximately
7/8-inch between each pocket.

Sew Pockets onto Thick Felt

This part is a bit tricky because you can't pin the pockets
to the 5mm thick felt. We used regular masking tape to
hold the pockets in place. We put a short piece of tape
along the top edge of the pocket leaving a 1/4 inch on each
side for our seam allowance. (Not only does the tape hold
the pocket in place, but it also reminds you NOT to sew the
tops of the pockets closed!) You can also place a piece of
tape along the bottom of each pocket making sure it only
covers a tiny bit of the pocket so that you don't sew over
the tape.

Using a straight stitch, sew with a 1/8-inch seam allowance

around the sides and bottom of the pocket. (Note: Use the
pink thread for the red and pink pockets and green thread
for the green pockets.) Backstitch at the beginning and end
of the seam near the opening of the pocket since there will
be some wear and tear when putting in a taking out advent
calendar goodies! When you come to the corner leave
needle in the down position, raise presser foot and reorient
square to continue sewing. Repeat at remaining corner.
Trim threads.

Assemble Calendar

Sew the four pieces of 5mm thick felt together end to end
(not overlapping) using a zig zag or overlock stitch. We
found it helpful to have two sets of hands while doing this.
One person to do the actual sewing and the other to help
hold the rest of the felt so that the weight of it isn't pulling
the edges apart while they are being sewn together. This is
important because you want the edges of the felt to stay
tightly together so the stitch catches enough of each piece
of felt. (Note: We also used two small pieces of masking
tape on the back of the felt to help hold the pieces
together. You can pull it off after it is sewn even where
you've stitched over it.)

Sew Tabs
 • Cut two 2-inch x 1 3/4-inch pieces of felt,
color #6
• Center tabs above pockets number 1 and 3
• fold the tabs (with the 1 3/4 side parallel to
the top edge of the felt) over the top edge of the
5mm thick felt with only 1/4-inch of the tab
overlapping the thick felt on the front and back.
(You are leaving enough space to fit the knitting
needle through as well as whatever hook you
will be hanging it from).
• Affix the tab to the thick felt using the
masking tape method as above.
• Use a straight stitch and sew the tabs in
place with a 1/8-inch seam allowance. Make sure
to backstitch at the beginning and end of the
seam.

Fill with your favorite sewing, quilting and knitting

notions and give to your favorite crafter!
Article originally appeared on the purl bee

(http://www.purlbee.com/).

See website for complete article licensing information.

DIY Mother's Day Corsage: Felt Dahlia Flower Brooch
by M e g a n R e a r d o n , Posted Apr 23rd 2010 2:00PM

Filed under: M o t h e r ' s D a y , C r a f t s

67

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This Mother's Day, make something beautiful for Mom. Credit: Megan Reardon

Wondering about what to make Mom for Mother's Day? I've been thinking about traditional
gifts like flower corsages and lockets, and I decided to combine the two. This felt dahlia pin
has a secret pocket in the back that can hold a picture or message for your favorite mom.

You'll need:
- scissors
- Fabri-tac adhesive
- two sheets craft felt, one for the flower and one in a contrasting color for the back
- needle and thread
- brooch pin (available in the beading section of craft stores)
- a bit of thin cardboard (a cereal box from your recycling bin will be perfect for this)
Credit: Megan Reardon

Also helpful, if you have them:

- pinking sheers
- a rotary cutter, mat and ruler
- a sewing machine

Credit: Megan Reardon

We'll be cutting out a bunch individual petals, and above I show what I think is the most
efficient way to divide up your sheet of felt. First cut a 3.25 inch diameter circle from your
flower color felt. (Do this first to make sure you don't leave yourself too small a scrap at the
end.) Then cut three 1.5 inch strips, two 1.25 inch strips and one 1 inch strip of felt. In the
contrasting color (here, the green), cut a 2 inch diameter circle and a 1.25 inch square. Cut
a small indent into the square.

Finally, cut a 2 inch diameter circle from your cardboard.

Credit: Megan Reardon

Now cut your flower color strips into 1.5, 1.25 and 1 inch squares respectively. If you need
more petals you can use the bit of leftover felt to cut more squares. I ended up needing
fifteen 1.5 inch petals, thirteen 1.25 inch petals and nine 1 inch petals, you might find you
need more or fewer to fill in the flower. To form the petals cut each square into a rounded
petal shape, with a wide base and a pointed tip as shown above. Put dots of glue in the
lower corners and fold each side over so that they meet in the middle.

Credit:: Megan Reardon

This is the most frustrating part of the project -- the glue can take a while to set and if you
don't hold the petal shapes in place they will pop open. I found this to be true for both the
wool felt and the polyester felt I tested. I made a few versions using felt from various
sources and found the higher quality wool felt to be a bit thicker, which meant that it took
longer to set, but the colors were richer so I was willing to wait. I used a heavy stainless
steel skillet to hold my folded petals down while they dried, as shown above. Luckily, the
Fabri-tac adhesive won't bond to the metal of the skillet, so you don't have to worry about
petals stuck to your pan.

Credit: Megan Reardon

While the petals are setting you can prepare the back of the flower. Glue the cardboard
circle to the center of the 3.25 inch flower color felt circle. Then dab glue on the
overhanging part of the felt and fold it over the edges of the cardboard, wrapping it around
to the back. You might need to put a saucepan on top to weigh it down while it sets. This
will be the base for the petals, and the folded edges on the back will be covered by your
contrasting felt circle at the very end.

Now grab your contrasting felt square and circle. Position the square at the bottom of the
circle and stitch it around three sides to make a small pocket that opens to the side,
leaving enough room at the top of the circle to attach the pin. You can put a few small
dabs of glue on the pin before you hand stitch it into place at the top of the circle. I used
contrasting thread that matched my flower, but you can use whatever thread color you'd
like.
Credit: Megan Reardon

When the petals are set, it's time to glue them to the flower color base. Glue the 1.5 inch
petals around the edge of the base, positioning them in about 1/4 inch. As you work be
sure to snug the base of the petals as close together side by side as you can; the more
you can fit on the base, the more dramatic the results. Next, glue a row of the 1.25 inch
petals about 1/4 inch further in towards the center of your pin. Do the same with the 1 inch
petals, leaving about a 1 inch circle in the middle.

Credit: Megan Reardon

To finish the center of the flower cut a 1 inch circle from the remaining flower color felt
using the pinking sheers, or cut a wavy edge with scissors. Also use the pinking sheers to
cut a thin strip from the felt; you can cut two strips if you think you'll need them. Glue down
the small circle in the center of your flower to cover the ends of the smallest petals. Then
curl the thin strip into a tight spiral and glue that to the very center.

Credit: Megan Reardon

All that is left to do is to glue the contrasting colored backing to the back of the flower,
covering the back of the cardboard, and find a picture -- or write a little note -- small
enough to slip into the secret pocket. Then wrap it up and present it to Mom!

Credit: Megan Reardon

Crafty genius Megan Reardon lives in Seattle with her husband Scott and a clover plant,
which she might have killed last week. You can find more of her DIY projects at her blog,
N o t M a r t h a . She contributed this craft to Holidash via S e e d .
El encanto de las pequeñas
cosas(en fieltro)
CraftSanity On TV: Easy Fleece iPad Cozy Tutorial

After a couple weeks of watching my husband, J e f f H a y w o o d , transporting his new iPad

around in a recycled bubble wrap envelope, it was high time for a crafty intervention.

The iPad is a slick device designed to make consuming electronic media an easy and enjoyable

experience, so I decided to sew a simple and soft fleece cozy to make the device a little more

inviting. (I made a turquoise cozy for blog purposes, but my husband’s will be made of black

fleece.)
Here’s what you need:

• 1/2 yard fleece in color of your choice.

• 8 1/2 by 10-inch rectangle of thick interfacing (I used Pellon Peltex 70 Ultra Firm Stabilizer.)

• Thread to match your fabric

• iPad cozy frame template (D o w n l o a d h e r e )

• Rotary cutter with pinking blade or pinking shears

Step 1: Cut out the paper template and trace it onto the interfacing with a pencil. Cut out the

front frame shape. Remember to cut a small circle