Finishing Ideas for Handcrafts

Snowman Love Part 3 | September 8, 2009

At Long Last – Snowman Love is Finis!

I included a specialty stitch – I used Turkey Work for the fringe on the little snow people’s scarves.

Turkey Work is really easy.  If you’ve never done it, don’t be afraid.  Start with a back stitch,

take a loop, and back into the next hole (I use a straight pin to keep my loops from pulling thru), 

then repeat.

Just continue taking a back stitch and then a loop, following the contours of the scarf and moving the straight pin as needed.  BTW, I work from right to left, but it doesn’t matter – whichever way is more comfortable for you.  Before you know it, you’ll have a whole row of Turkey Work.

You can cut the loops, if you want to, but I prefer the loops.

Continue the Turkey Work on the snow lady’s scarf.

One last 3-D touch – a pom-pom for the snow lady’s hat!

I haven’t actually attached the pom-pom yet – I won’t do that until near the end of finishing.

Prep the ornament by washing and pressing – be careful not to crush down the Turkey Work!

I’m making a tuck frame for this ornie.  To make the backing, I use a used dryer sheet (or in this case, two dryer sheets)

I made a paper pattern of the shape I wanted, and cut out the front and back of the ornie.

That circle in the middle is the exact size I want for the opening of my tuck frame, so I can sew along the opening without removing the paper pattern.

Cut out the center leaving a small seam allowance,

clip along the curve nearly to your stitching,

and turn the dryer sheet lining to the inside.

Pin the front frame to the backing piece, right sides together.  Don’t forget to put in a hanger!  I’m using a pretty piece of ribbon.  Sew along the outside edges, and trim the seam close to your stitching.

Turn everything out to the right side, and press it well.

Back your ornament with iron on interfacing (I use a fusible low loft batting designed for quilting) and trim to fit the Tuck frame.

The white line is from my chalk pencil – I forgot to brush it off before I took this pic – lol!

Now attach the pom-pom to the snowlady’s hat (use the long stings left from making the pom threaded thru your needle and stitched from the front of the ornament to the back  - tie a square knot on the back to secure.  Sorry the pic is so blurry – you can tell it’s getting late!

Insert the ornie into the tuck frame – and Ta-Da! 

If you want more detailed info on making a tuck frame you can check here.

Well, what do you think?  I’d love to get your comments on my little ornament.

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Betcha thought I forgot that I promised to publish the chart for you!

Well, I didn’t.

Here it is, in two versions, color and black/white symbols, so you can take the one you want!

Please, if you stitch one of my designs, send me a picture.

Oh yes, and all the usual legal stuff – don’t claim  my work as your own, you may stitch my design for yourself or as a gift, if you want to sell a finished piece, please be polite and ask my permission and give me credit for the design, don’t post thecharts on another site, but feel free to post a link to my blog, ya-da-ya-da, etc.

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