OhSewCrafty Blog

• Pattern: Stoney Creek Magazine Summer 2016
• Materials: 34 ct ecru linen, DMC as charted
• Size: 2.5″ x 2.75″
• Time to stitch: 2 days plus 2 hours to fully finish as ornament

I started this ornament on a whim, because of the Stitchwhats weekly challenge (start & finish an ornament, bonus points for FFO).  And I wanted an ornament to commemorate Oliver’s first Christmas, which was a few years ago.  Better late than never!

 The pattern is fine, simple enough with about 10 colors.  There’s a good bit of stitching in that small space, though.  I added some backstitch, to personalize it.  I cut the fabric piece quite small, so stitching in hand was my only choice, and that slowed me down a little.  

I finished it as a pillow ornament, with help from Vonna’s excellent tutorial.  I also followed her directions to make cording with 2 colors of DMC  (2 of each color for 4 strands total).  I don’t have a cording drill, so I twisted it by hand and used a sharpie (with the cap on) to weigh it down in the center.  Sewing the cording on took a while, but it was worth it.  I think the cording makes it special.  

I’m pleased with my ornament, it’s the first one I’ve sewn to finish and I think it’s cute, though not exactly perfect.  I look forward to doing more ornaments in the future and trying more techniques.