Christmas

Felt Gingerbread Man

BY BETH EDMONDSON

This hand-sewn felt decoration is quick to make for last-minute trimmings to the Christmas tree.

Time: 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy peasy

You Will Need

Ginger felt

Red ric rac

Orange, red and black stranded cotton (floss)

Three small buttons

Toy filling

Narrow satin ribbon

1. Use the template to cut two gingerbread men from the felt. Set one piece aside for the back and prepare to decorate the front.

2. Work the facial details using two strands of embroidery thread: use black thread to stitch two large cross stitch eyes, working a second stitch over the first, and backstitch a smile; overlap two cross stitches in red thread for the nose.

3. Sew on three small buttons down the middle of the gingerbread man. Cut four pieces of ric rac each measuring 6cm (2³⁄₈in), and sew in place at the ankles and wrists with running stitch.

4. Pin the back and front pieces together, right sides facing out. Starting at the shoulder, stitch using blanket stitch and two strands of orange embroidery thread.

5. Keep stitching until you reach the other shoulder, then begin stuffing. Push the toy filling into the body, ensuring the hands and feet are well padded. Cut a length of ribbon for a hanging loop and stitch to the inside of the back of the head.

6. Continue blanket stitching around the head: with about 2cm (³⁄₄in) to stitch, stuff the head before completing the stitching.

Full-size templates for this project are available at: www.stitchcraftcreate.co.uk/patterns