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Maker Team member Heidi of @sisustitchery is back at it with a holiday spin on her three dimensional hoop art. This Yuletide Sprig is a beautiful handmade decoration that works from Thanksgiving to New Year's! From the color palette to the multi-dimensional techniques, this project is uniquely Heidi. But change the colors or scale and make it uniquely you. After all, everything handmade is one of a kind!
Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but stitching is so delightful! This hoop art brings the yuletide season to life with lifted leaves and raised berries that seem to grow from the fabric itself. So brew something warm, snuggle in, and stitch a little holiday magic under the mistletoe.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Additional Supplies:
Yuletide Sprig Template (click to download)
Directions:
1. Download Yuletide Sprig Template above and transfer to felt using the freezer paper method. Alternatively, print template onto cardstock. Trace pattern pieces on felt and cut out.
2. Separate wooden hoop and place 6" square of Boysenberry felt in hoop. Slide outer hoop back in place and tighten the screw.
3. Use Frixion pen to draw an outline of Stem on Boysenberry felt. With two strands of DMC 712 and a stem stitch, stitch over guidelines.
4. Using the template as a guide, arrange Leaves and lightly glue in place. 3D Leaves, denoted on template in dark green, will be added later. With two strands of DMC 169 and a backstitch, stitch glued Leaves into place.
5. To create 3D Leaves, cut a 4-5" piece of floral wire for each. Use a small amount of glue to hold wire in place in the middle of Leaf. Place another Leaf on top, sandwiching wire between. Let glue dry.
6. Stitch around perimeter of 3D Leaves with two strands of DMC 169 and a blanket stitch.
7. Referencing the template, arrange 3D Leaves on hoop. Push wire ends through to back of hoop and secure wire by twisting ends together. Tighten until Leaves feel secure.
8. To create Berries, cut an 18-24” length of DMC 712. Thread needle with a single strand of floss. Push needle and thread through the bead, leaving a 1 1/2" tail.
9. Push needle through the bead again. Moving in the same direction, continue to wrap floss around the bead. As hole in the bead fills, it will become more difficult to pull through. Snip tail once floss is secure. Continue wrapping until bead is completely covered.
10. Finish by sliding a magenta bead onto floss. Slide needle back through the wrapped bead. Leave a 3" tail of floss and snip remaining length. This tail will be used to attach Berries to hoop. Make five large Berries and four small Berries.
11. Once beads are covered, use template to arrange Berries on the hoop. Slide needle onto tail of the Berry and sew it to hoop. Repeat for each Berry.
12. To finish hoop, trim excess felt to 1/4" around perimeter. Apply a line of glue around edge of exposed back of the hoop, then press felt into glue.
Using back of hoop, trace a circle onto scrap felt and cut out. Place felt circle in middle of hoop back and glue in place.
Your mistletoe is finished and ready to invite a little holiday cheer and maybe a kiss or two!
Thanks to Heidi for designing and writing this tutorial! You can see more of her work on Instagram @sisustitchery and on her website. Stay tuned for more tutorials from the Benzie Design Maker Team!
