How to Finish Needlepoint Ornaments

When you purchased your needlepoint design, you may have imagined it as a lovely Christmas tree ornament. However, once you finish stitching the needlepoint design, you may be wondering how to fashion the canvas into an ornament. Finish your needlepoint design by creating a miniature pillow with ribbon hanger. Hang the needlepoint ornament on your Christmas tree, or give it away as a gift or creative gift tag on a wrapped present.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric remnant measuring at least 2 to 3 inches larger than your needlepoint design
• 6-inch ribbon
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Needle
• Thread
• Straight pins
• Iron
• Polyester fiberfill pillow stuffing

Instructions

Instructions

1. Cut out the needlepoint design. Leave a margin of 1.5 inches on all sides.

2. Place the cut-out design face down on top of the wrong side of a piece of fabric. Pin in place.

3. Cut the fabric to match the needlepoint cut-out. If necessary, trace around the needlepoint cut-out with a fabric marker before cutting.

4. Stitch the sides and bottom edges of square or rectangle ornaments. For circular ornaments, stitch the perimeter, leaving a 2-inch opening. Stitch with a half-inch seam allowance (one-half inch away from the edges of the fabric).

5. Turn the pillow right-side out. Iron flat.

6. Stuff the pillow ornament with polyester fiberfill. Hand-stitch the opening closed.

7. Fold a 6-inch piece of ribbon in half. Hand-stitch the ends of the ribbon on the top of the ornament to form a hanger loop.

Tips & Warnings

• To embellish the edges, hot glue beads, ribbons, sequins or soft fringe around the ornament.

• For additional embellishment and texture, highlight parts of the needlepoint design with squeezable shiny, pearly or glittery fabric paint.

References

• DLTK's Growing Together: How to Cross Stitch