Seasonal Crafts

Stacking Christmas Bells

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Stacking Christmas Bells tutorial

"Ding, dong, ding, dong, Christmas bells are ringing." While not exactly ringing, these ornaments do bring all the charm and holiday cheer of real Christmas bells. Follow along to see all the delicate details and how to make a beautiful decoration for your holiday home. It's never too early to ring in the holidays!

Skill Level: Intermediate

Time: 3 hours per set

Project supplies

Supplies:

Red Stacking Bells
One 9 x 12" sheet of Red Wool Blend Felt
One 9 x 12" sheet of Carmine Wool Blend Felt
One 9 x 12" sheet of Peony Wool Blend Felt
Embroidery Thread in Red, Carmine and Peony

Green Stacking Bells
One 9 x 12" sheet of Evergreen Wool Blend Felt
One 9 x 12" sheet of Emerald Wool Blend Felt
One 9 x 12" sheet of Jadeite Wool Blend Felt
Embroidery Thread in Evergreen, Emerald and Mint

Gold Stacking Bells
One 9 x 12" sheet of Mustard Wool Blend Felt
One 9 x 12" sheet of Ochre Wool Blend Felt
One 9 x 12" sheet of Ecru Wool Blend Felt
Embroidery thread in Mustard, Ochre and Ecru

For Each Set
Gold Metallic Sequins
Gold Seed Beads
Mustard Embroidery Thread
Three Wood Beads, 8mm
Two Wood Beads, 20mm
Needle for felt
Needle for beads
Stiffening Spray
Gold Elastic Cord
Scissors
Tracing Pen
Hot Glue Gun
Awl
Polyfil
Gold Metallic Paint
Paint Brush
Scallop Shears - optional
Stacking Bells Pattern  (click to download)

Directions:

1. Print the Stacking Bells Pattern above onto cardstock. Cut out. Use an awl or screw punch to cut out center hole.

2. Use tracing pen to copy patterns onto felt. For the finished bells pictured, each Large bell is traced onto the darkest shade of felt with the Small Bell traced onto the lightest shade. Mark the center of each bell.

Tracing patterns onto felt

3. Cut out felt bells. As an optional step, cut the outer edge of each “arm” with scallop scissors for decoration. Use an awl or screw punch to cut out center hole of each felt bell. Use a hairdryer or iron to remove markings from tracing pen.

Cutting out felt pieces

4. Begin by stitching the bells into shape. Use a coordinating thread for each felt color and stitch the sides of each triangle closed with a simple whip stitch. Stitching the triangles closed will give your bell it's dome shape.

Stitching sides of bell

5. After the bells are sewn into shape, it is time to add the sequins to the bottom border. Thread the beading needle with gold embroidery thread. Knot one end. Come up from the inside of the bell, thread on a sequin and a bead. Bring the needle back through the sequin (going around the bead) and down through the original hole.

Adding sequins to bells

6. Move around the bottom of the bell adding more sequins and beads. If you have cut the bottom border with scallop scissors, use the scallops to help with spacing! Be careful not to pull the thread too tight between sequins as it will alter the bell shape. When you have finished, knot the thread on the inside of the bell and cut thread.

Adding sequins to bells

7. Stuff each bell with Polyfil until it has a rounded top and fairly smooth sides. Set up bells on a sheet of something disposable, such as wax paper. Generously spray the outside of the bells with stiffening spray according to the directions. The bells can be left to dry overnight or dried with a hairdryer. I applied at least two coats of spray to each bell, letting them dry completely between each coat.

Stiffening felt balls

Once the bells are completely dry and stiffened to your liking, remove the Polyfil.

8. Paint two large wooden balls gold. Apply multiple coats if needed. While the gold wooden balls are drying, we can begin to assemble the bells.

Painting wooden balls

9. Cut a 15” length of gold elastic cord. Thread a small wooden ball onto the cord and hot glue in place 6” from one end. Thread the Large bell onto the cord so that wooden ball rests under its dome. Each bell will be held in place when hanging by a small wooden ball glued to the cord.

Stringing large felt bell

10. Thread the Medium bell onto the cord so that it fits under the Large bell. Thread a small wooden bead on after it and hot glue into place at the base of the Large bell. Pull down the Medium bell so that it is visible.

Stringing medium felt bell

Repeat this step with the Medium and Small bell and another small wooden bead. When the bells are hanging, each bell should start at the base of the larger bell above.

Stringing small felt ball

11. Hot glue one of the large gold wooden balls after the Small bell. Hot glue it into place as the clapper for the bells. Cut off any excess chord.

Adding clapper to stacking bells

12. Thread the other large gold wooden ball on the top of the large bell. Insert the end of the gold chord into the opening of the ball. Hot glue in place.

Adding hanging loop to ornament

Your felt stacking bells are finished. As an option for those who celebrate Hanukkah, you can use shades of blue felt with silver accents.

Finished stacking bells

Hang on the Christmas tree or anywhere else in your home to ring in the holidays! Merry Everything!

Finished stacking bells

Thanks to Camille for designing and writing this tutorial! You can follow her on Instagram @notsomodernmillie or visit her website. We hope you've enjoyed our Christmas in July tutorials. Tag #benziedesign to share your holiday makes!

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