December 18, 2008
Lace Ornament Covers
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Ornament Covers
Add an elegant, vintage look to your Christmas
decorations with freestanding lace ornament covers! Project instructions below
demonstrate how to find the right size design for your ornament, how to
embroider the lace, and how to join two sewn pieces together to make the
ornament cover.
To begin, choose the right size design
for your ornaments. Here are the sizes:
For an ornament with a 4″ height or a 12.5″ circumference, choose the large size
of the lace designs.
For an ornament with a 3″ height or a 9 7/8″ to 10 3/16″ circumference, choose
the medium size of the lace designs.
For an ornament with a 2.5″ height/or a 8″ circumference, choose the small size
of the lace designs. Note that the small size will also work if the bulb is 2.25
inches; it will just be a little looser.
Need help in determining the height? Stand the ornament on a flat service, and
place a ruler next to it. Measure from the base to the bottom edge of the cap.
Some embroiderers have reported difficulty in finding the right size bulb for
the medium size cover. We were able to find the 3″ height bulbs at Michaels (the
brand is Handmade Holidays), Joann’s (the brand is Holiday Inspirations), and
Target (brand unknown). The size that the manufacturer lists on the packaging
may be misleading; it’s best to measure the bulb rather than trust the labeling.
Here is an example of how you measure the
height of the bulb. This bulb is four inches tall, so we’ll use the large size
lace ornament cover.
To measure the circumference of the bulb,
wrap a vinyl measuring tape around the widest part of the bulb.
Supplies needed:
-
Glass ornament — large is 4 inches in
height, medium is 3 inches, small is 2-1/2 inches -
1 yard of ribbon, 1/8 inch wide
-
Water-soluble stabilizer (WSS)
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Bobbins wound with embroidery thread
-
Tapestry needle with a large eye
Instructions:
Hoop one layer of heavy weight WSS in your
hoop. Sew out two of the designs on the WSS. We use Sulky Ultra Solvy and a size
11 sharp needle when embroidering freestanding lace.
After the embroidery has finished, unhoop
it and trim the excess WSS away.
Soak the two embroideries in water to
remove the stabilizer. We soaked them for about 15 minutes. Refer to package
instructions if using a different brand of WSS.
After soaking, remove the embroideries from
the water, and blot off the lace with a paper towel.
You can handle the lace right away. And,
the lace will mold itself better to the ornament if it is still damp.
Place the two embroidery pieces together,
with the right sides facing each other. At the widest point on each side of the
embroideries, hand stitch the pieces together so that the pieces will form a
circle. Turn right side out.
Position the circle of lace around an
ornament The straight ends of the lace covers will go on the top of the
ornament.
Thread the tapestry needle with the narrow
ribbon.
Using the needle, weave the ribbon through
the top openings (or loops) in each section of the ornament cover.
Place the ornament into the center of the
ornament cover and tighten the ribbon through the segments.
Pull the ribbon tight around the top of the
ornament, and tie in a pretty bow.
You have finished your half ornament cover!
For further embellishing ideas for the half ornament covers, go to the bottom of
this page.
The next steps will pertain to full
ornament covers.
Full ornament covers
To make a full ornament cover, you will continue from this point in the
instructions, just a few more steps, to complete the bottom.
Gently pull each bottom point toward the
center bottom of the ornament to help it stretch.
Use the rest of the threaded ribbon to
weave through the loop on each bottom point.
Draw the ribbon tight to bring the points
together at the bottom. Tie a knot, and snip off any extra ribbon.
Here is a view of a completed full ornament
cover. The beauty of lace is rivaled only by the numbers of creative ways you
will think of to use these outstanding ornaments.
If you would like to further embellish your
ornament, look below for some ideas to get you started. They’re fun and easy!
Dangling beads add sparkle and movement.
Stitch beads or pearls to the bottom ends
of the half ornament covers, or at the bottom circle of the full covers.
Weave a little wonder
Thread another colorful ribbon in the
tapestry needle, and weave it through some of the open spaces in the lace. This
is a quick and simple way to add extra color and dimension.
All the drama of a movie star!
Glue a length of marabou feather boa around
the ornament, and affix hot fix crystals right onto the glass ornament. That’s
right! Hot fix crystals stick to anything that can take the heat of the
applicator tool.
Your creativity will know no bounds! And,
your tree will be absolutely stunning.
Download all free embroidery designs from all our sites …
Enjoy Them All For FREE … Merry Christmas !!
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