It’s December, so it is totally OK to start talking, thinking, planning and making for the holidays! My family celebrates Christmas, so the project I am going to show you how to make today is designed for a Christmas tree. So when Deanna McCool asked me to participate in her 12 Days of Christmas Blog Tour, this project jumped immediately to top of mind. But it is so cute I think it would also make a darling package topper for lots of different holidays or gift-giving occasions.
Supplies needed:
- Black felt
- White “wooly lamb” fake fur
- Narrow red ribbon
- Small bell
- Stuffing
- Gold metallic thread (optional)
Pattern: PDF download for lamb body and face
1. Using the PDF pattern download, cut 2 lamb bodies from the fake fur. Also cut 1 lamb face and 4 legs (approximately 2 inches x 1/4 inch) from the black felt.
2. Place the face on one end of the body. Don’t worry about exact placement; just get it pretty close to one end. Using a satin zig-zag stitch (my settings were SW=4.0 and SL= 1.0) and gold metallic thread, embroider 2 eyes on the felt face. If the eyes don’t line up exactly or are not the identical size, have a glass of wine and proceed to step 3. 😉
3. Arrange the felt legs across the bottom edge, and baste in place about 1/8″ from the edge of the fur. Also add a red ribbon loop at the top edge for hanging, and baste that in place as well.
4. Pin the ear and the hanging loop away from the outside edges so that these 2 items do not accidentally get caught when you stitch around the body. You will leave this pin  in place for the next step, so make sure none of the pin is close to the outer edge either!
5. Place the second lamb body on top of the “decorated” one, and stitch around the outside edge, leaving a hole to add the stuffing. Check to make sure there are no “extra” holes in your stitching; it is easy to get the alignment of the outside edges off when you are stitching on bulky fabric like fake fur. If you do have a hole, just re-stitch over that area connecting with the “good” stitching. 😉
6. Turn the lamb right side out being careful to not get poked with the pin! Remove the pin as soon as you can reach it; this might prevent a puncture wound! 😉
7. Add a bit of stuffing to round out your lamb, and stitch the hole closed by hand. (True Confessions: I often skip this step. Yep. LAZY!)
8. Cut another bit of ribbon and thread a bell on it. Tie an overhand knot and hang it around your lamb so you will hear it when it tries to sneak off.
I hope you enjoyed this quick and fun Christmas ornament project! See how cute he looks against a green tree? start to finish this project takes about 15-20 minutes, so you can make a pile of them to add to packages or give as a little gift or party favor. Be sure to check out the other bloggers on tour!
Don’t forget to visit all of the bloggers who are creating tutorials for the Sew McCool 12 Days of Christmas challenge! Voting will begin on www.sewmccool.com on December 13 and go through 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern time on December 20. The blogger with the most votes will win $100 – just in time for Christmas!
December 1
Ren @ The Inspired Wren * Stephanie @ Swoodson Says * Alicia @ Felt With Love Designs
December 2
Natalie @ Sew Outnumbered *Deby @ So-Sew-Easy * Ajaire @ Call Ajaire
December 3
Amy @ Friends Stitched Together * Maris @ Sew Maris * Gemia @ Phat Quarters
December 4
Amy @ How I Make Stuff * Michelle @ Falafel and the Bee
December 5
Beth @ Beth Jarrett * Jen @ Just Joshin
December 6
Lauren @ Molly and Mama * Krista @ Bee Quilted Beauties
December 7
Vicky @ Vicky Myers Creations * Deb @ Sprouting Jube Jube
December 8
Addie @ Addie K * Michelle @ Not My Tree
December 9
Ula @ Lulu & Celeste * Sara @ Made By Sara * Chelsea @ GYCT Designs
December 10
Nichole @ Bluebird & the Boy * Darcy @ Ginger House Designs * Shelly @ Coral & Co.
December 11
Amy @ Britches ‘n Bloomers * Kelly @ Kelly J Designs
December 12
Maegen @ Mae and K * Jess @ Gracious Threads * Jone @ Knot Sew Normal
Happy sewing,
Maris