Advent Calendar Project ’15 – Week 1

Every Friday for the twenty-four weeks leading up to December 1st, we will be making a handmade Christmas ornament. Follow along and make them all or pick and chose your favorites.

And off we go with our first ornament of 2015!
Advent Calendar Project '15 - Week 1
I really like the look of little needlework projects frames in embroidery hoops. I was wondering how I could get a similar look in a Christmas ornament. The smallest embroidery hoop I could find was 4″ and I wanted something smaller. I thought perhaps the jewelry aisle would be the answer and it was.
Advent Calendar Project '15 - Week 1
What I ended up finding was this “story locket,” a locket with glass at the front and back. I got mine at Joann, but it looks like Michael’s, Amazon and Walmart all sell it as well. It was just the tiny size I wanted, 1″ and I like that is opened up.You could also do something very similar with a small picture frame.

As I was making this, I realized it would be a great gift for newlyweds. You could stitch their first initials with a plus sign on the front and put a small picture of them on the back. What a great personalized Christmas ornament.

Cross Stitched Locket Ornament

Supplies:

  • locket or something similar with a glass front.
  • 18 count cross stitch fabric
  • metallic embroidery floss
  • embroidery needle
  • scissors
  • decorative paper like scrapbook paper
  • glue
  • ribbon

1. Use graph paper or excel to chart out your pattern, keeping in mind the size of the opening you have available. Here is the chart I made.
joy
It was the perfect size for my 1″ opening.

2. Cross stitch the pattern onto your fabric using the metallic floss. I used one strand of floss doubled over. Because this is such a small thing to stitch, I didn’t bother with a hoop.
Advent Calendar Project '15 - Week 1
Metallic floss can be a pain the in neck to work with because it snag and unravels. Weelittlestitches has a nice post with tips to make it easier. I used them for this and it was a breeze.

3. Once you have finished stitching, cut the design out so it is slightly bigger than the inside of your locket.
Advent Calendar Project '15 - Week 1
It is always best to err on the side of bigger. I free-handed this but really should have used a compass.

4. If your locket or frame has an open back you’ll want something to back your embroidery. I chose I piece of red decorative scrapbooking paper. I think a photo would be great too. Cut a circle the same size at the stitched piece.
Advent Calendar Project '15 - Week 1
Glue the stitched fabric to the paper. This will also help keep your fabric from fraying.

5. Trim the fabric/paper piece a little at a time until it fits snugly in the locket.
Advent Calendar Project '15 - Week 1
And here it is from the back.
Advent Calendar Project '15 - Week 1

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9 years ago by in Advent Calendar Project , Christmas , Embroidery , Embroidery Projects , Holiday , Needlecraft , Projects | You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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