Our house is on the market as we're waiting to move, but we foolishly sent all our holiday decorations to store in another state. So, I decided to get a little DIY and make ornaments from one of my favorite shows, Cartoon Network's Adventure Time. You say I'm too old for cartoons, I say there's no such thing as "too old" ;) Unless you're pulling people's braids or making spitballs, in which case you are definitely too old.
We have a number of vintage ornaments, many of which are quite simple and several of which are felt. I always thought they were quite charming, so I wanted to do sort of a retro "lo-fi" look, which works well with homemade anyhow. I made a pattern in Illustrator from a picture I drew (it's not traced or a copy of a specific image, honest).
As a bonus, I realized they'd be fairly easy for other people to make too, so they're perfect as an Instructable! (I hope.) I am writing this with people who have virtually no sewing experience in mind, therefore I've tried to be extra thorough in explaining each step.
The only difference between people who can sew, and people who can't, is that the people who can't haven't tried it yet. ;)
If you're worried it's too difficult for you, or you want to make it but have no need for ornaments, check the last page! I've offered some alternative suggestions.
NOTE: I do ask that, as with most Instructables, you respect the time that went into the project and that I made the choice to share it for free. Please don't sell my pattern or any ornaments you make with it.
We have a number of vintage ornaments, many of which are quite simple and several of which are felt. I always thought they were quite charming, so I wanted to do sort of a retro "lo-fi" look, which works well with homemade anyhow. I made a pattern in Illustrator from a picture I drew (it's not traced or a copy of a specific image, honest).
As a bonus, I realized they'd be fairly easy for other people to make too, so they're perfect as an Instructable! (I hope.) I am writing this with people who have virtually no sewing experience in mind, therefore I've tried to be extra thorough in explaining each step.
The only difference between people who can sew, and people who can't, is that the people who can't haven't tried it yet. ;)
If you're worried it's too difficult for you, or you want to make it but have no need for ornaments, check the last page! I've offered some alternative suggestions.
NOTE: I do ask that, as with most Instructables, you respect the time that went into the project and that I made the choice to share it for free. Please don't sell my pattern or any ornaments you make with it.
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Signing UpStep 1: Tools & Materials
TOOLS:
Starred items are optional but helpful :)
Pattern printout (below, .JPG or .PDF)
Scissors (nice and sharp! It's a good idea to have separate scissors for paper and fabric.)
Small scissors: for cutting details*
A needle (a sharp, fine one is generally best imo)
Straight pins
Stuffing (lots of different kinds out there, they'll all do the trick.)
Tweezers or small locking forceps* (not too pointy is best): to make stuffing easier
Hole punch* (for Finn's eyes)
Fabri-Tac glue*: to hold pieces in place while they're being sewn
MATERIALS:
Felt:
For Finn: white, black, red
For Jake: mustard yellow (something between orange and yellow), white, black, red
(Note about felt: I use wool or wool/acrylic blend felt for details, and acrylic for large pieces. Wool comes in fewer colors and the white is generally more cream, but it's thicker and denser so it's easier to cut precisely.)
Ribbon or yarn: for making hanging loop
Thread:
For Finn: white, black, red
For Jake: yellow/orange/mustard, white, black, red
ALTERNATIVE ASSEMBLY METHOD FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN'T SEW, TO DO WITH CHILDREN, ETC
I'd like to offer some simplification for those who are still intimidated by all the steps. You can glue small pieces down and NOT sew over them. I do recommend that if you do so that you use Fabri-tac glue specifically. It isn't really toxic but you do have to be careful of fumes, and please wash your hands afterwards. The advantages of it are that it's thick (so it won't drip or run) and easy to get in the right place, but it's strong, not hot like hot glue, and won't soak through or discolor your felt like white or similar glues. If you still want to try a little bit of sewing, instead of thread you can sew with a large needle and some yarn, Girl Scout style, to sew the front and back of the head together.
ALTERNATIVE USES
By altering the final step about putting in the loop for hanging, you can change the purpose. So don't be sad if you don't have a Christmas tree//don't celebrate it. It's just as good as a bag decoration, a magnet, an oversized pin, or just to hang on something else. If you want to dangle it from things, try making a very short ribbon loop and adding a jump or split ring to it so you can attach a ball chain or keyring. You can sew a magnet inside or glue it to the back to make a fridge magnet. Or you can use a bar pinback, sewn or hot glued down to the back piece before sewing it to the front, to make a big pin for your bag!
Starred items are optional but helpful :)
Pattern printout (below, .JPG or .PDF)
Scissors (nice and sharp! It's a good idea to have separate scissors for paper and fabric.)
Small scissors: for cutting details*
A needle (a sharp, fine one is generally best imo)
Straight pins
Stuffing (lots of different kinds out there, they'll all do the trick.)
Tweezers or small locking forceps* (not too pointy is best): to make stuffing easier
Hole punch* (for Finn's eyes)
Fabri-Tac glue*: to hold pieces in place while they're being sewn
MATERIALS:
Felt:
For Finn: white, black, red
For Jake: mustard yellow (something between orange and yellow), white, black, red
(Note about felt: I use wool or wool/acrylic blend felt for details, and acrylic for large pieces. Wool comes in fewer colors and the white is generally more cream, but it's thicker and denser so it's easier to cut precisely.)
Ribbon or yarn: for making hanging loop
Thread:
For Finn: white, black, red
For Jake: yellow/orange/mustard, white, black, red
ALTERNATIVE ASSEMBLY METHOD FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN'T SEW, TO DO WITH CHILDREN, ETC
I'd like to offer some simplification for those who are still intimidated by all the steps. You can glue small pieces down and NOT sew over them. I do recommend that if you do so that you use Fabri-tac glue specifically. It isn't really toxic but you do have to be careful of fumes, and please wash your hands afterwards. The advantages of it are that it's thick (so it won't drip or run) and easy to get in the right place, but it's strong, not hot like hot glue, and won't soak through or discolor your felt like white or similar glues. If you still want to try a little bit of sewing, instead of thread you can sew with a large needle and some yarn, Girl Scout style, to sew the front and back of the head together.
ALTERNATIVE USES
By altering the final step about putting in the loop for hanging, you can change the purpose. So don't be sad if you don't have a Christmas tree//don't celebrate it. It's just as good as a bag decoration, a magnet, an oversized pin, or just to hang on something else. If you want to dangle it from things, try making a very short ribbon loop and adding a jump or split ring to it so you can attach a ball chain or keyring. You can sew a magnet inside or glue it to the back to make a fridge magnet. Or you can use a bar pinback, sewn or hot glued down to the back piece before sewing it to the front, to make a big pin for your bag!
atpattern.pdf1 MB
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I sewed the basic outline and just glue everything else on because they were so dainty haha
Thank you so much for the pattern~
I use acrylic felt because wool or wool/acrylic is hard to find around here. To cut accurately, I glue the pattern pieces to freezer paper and iron the freezer paper onto the felt. Cut out. Accurate every time, and the freezer paper peels right off.
Sorry for picture qaulity :P