I always have had so much fun designing and stitching up decorations for Christmas. I created this lovely smiling face below and I liked her so much, I thought I’d transform her into an angel. So here’s some step-by-step instructions to hand sew this lovely little angel with a tiny front pocket for treats. When complete, the angel ornament measures 3″ across and 4.5″ high (without the loop). This tutorial is perfect for beginners.

YOU WILL NEED

• felt scraps in your chosen colours, including skin colour, hair colour, wings, one shade for the pocket and another for the front and back.
• embroidery floss and needle for hand stitching. Select colours to compliment your felt shades.
• 3 – 3.5″ of tiny pearl beading for the halo.
• sewing cotton to stitch the pearl beading and bow in place.
• small sharp scissors for cutting felt.
• 7″ of narrow ribbon to tie a tiny bow and for a hanging loop.
• a print out of the template which you can download HERE.
• paper scissors for your template.
• lighter or heat sealer to seal the bow ends.
• optional freezer paper, tracing paper and/or tissue paper.

WHICH STITCH?

The sewing techniques used in this project are simple and easy to complete. If you are unfamiliar with these stitch types, our old friend Google will show you a huge range of tutorials and videos for reference.

Back stitch is used for the eyes and mouth. You can read more about it HERE. 

Blanket stitch is used to appliqué the face and pocket to the angel’s body. And it’s also used to stitch the whole project together!

LET’S GET STARTED

Cut out the felt pieces as outlined on the TEMPLATE. For tips on the different methods for cutting out felt, see my comprehensive tutorial HERE.

Unless otherwise specified, all stitches are made with two strands of embroidery floss.

Attach the Pocket

Thread your embroidery needle with ‘pocket’ coloured floss. Using blanket stitch, stitch along the top of the pocket to create a ‘hem’. Once complete, don’t cut off the floss. Pin the pocket to the body piece, and use the remaining thread to secure the pocket to the body using blanket stitch around the other three sides. Once complete, the pocket should remain ‘open’ at the top.

*please note that my stitching might be in a different direction to yours. I’m left handed! 

Use a small amount of your ribbon to tie a tiny bow. Trim the ends and heat seal them. Run a flame along the cut ribbon edge to prevent them from fraying. Attach the bow with carefully hidden stitches of a single strand of sewing cotton. Secure well. (You’ll note that my bow wasn’t added at this stage, but it’s easier to do it now, rather than at the end. Lucky we learn from our mistakes!).

Stitch the Face

Place the hair piece over the face circle and pin in place. Use small straight stitches to attach the bottom edge of the hair fringe (or bangs) to the face.

Using the template as a guide, hand stitch the eyes and mouth using back stitch. You can also transfer the face design using a water soluble marker, or by sewing through the design copied onto tracing paper. This tutorial outlines different methods to embroider details onto felt, in more detail.

Appliqué the Face

Pin the embroidered face to the top of the body piece. Using skin coloured embroidery floss, blanket stitch the face to the body. Change threads when you reach the hair and continue blanket stitching. See the image below as a guide. Secure your stitching well.

Add the Halo

Cut your beaded pearls to length and arrange in a halo shape around the angel’s hair. (I put the join for the beads at the top of the angel). Secure the beading by adding small stitches between each pearl using a single strand of complimentary sewing cotton.

Put it All Together

Cut 3″ of ribbon for the loop and fold in half. Stitch the loop to the back side of the angel’s head, so that it is centred on the top. Lay the piece for the back down on a flat surface. Lay the wings over the top of this. Place the top piece over the wings and back piece, and pin together carefully.

Starting at the side of the angel at the neck, blanket stitch the front and back pieces together. Stitch through the wing pieces. This will secure them in place. Stitch carefully around the ribbon loop too. Be sure to secure your stitching well when you return to the start of your stitches.

Your little angel is ready for use! I loved putting little treasures in her teeny tiny pocket and I know that my daughter will love it too.

Feel free to personalise your angel with a hand embroidered name or monogram on the back. Add the year if you wish too. That way, your keepsake ornament can be treasured always. You could also embellish the wings with some pretty beads, sequins or embroidery.

I really hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial! Perhaps you’d like to try your hand at my tutorial for a cute little felt mouse in her lovely stocking. She’s another decoration that would make an ideal Christmas keepsake.

I love creating with wool felt. In fact, I’ve written some tips for you HERE. And you can see more of my tutorials listed HERE.

Feel free to pop by the STORE to view the full range of Molly and Mama PDF patterns. Head to my FACEBOOK page or Instagram to share your creations. I also have some gorgeous and inspirational ideas pinned to my Christmas Inspiration board on Pinterest. Feel free to follow along.

Thanks for being here.

Happy stitching, Lauren x

This post was written by Lauren Wright and appeared first on Molly and Mama http://www.MollyandMama.com.au