Friday, July 25, 2014

Christmas in July Tutorials: Day 4

It's Day 4 of our Christmas in July hop! With school supplies and pumpkins and other harvest decor out in stores, Christmas doesn't seem so far off! We're happy to help you get started on the holidays!
Today, Wendy Sheppard from Ivory Spring is sharing her holiday pillow and ornament grouping using the Holiday Magic collection.



Here's Wendy!


Hello Again, Everyone!  This is Wendy from Ivory Spring.  It's always good to be back.  I trust that all of you are well.  I am honored to be part of Benartex's Christmas in July blog hop!  And my project is a very quick and easy home dec project, hen-and-chicks-style!


I have loved the patch print fabrics that have been coming out lately.  But I realize sometimes they can be a bit challenging as to how to best feature them in my projects.  I oftentimes use them as quilt backing fabrics, but today, I am bringing the Holiday Magic patch print fabrics to the front of the stage!


***

Supplies:
An assortment of Christmas fabrics from Benartex's Holiday Magic collection to include patch print fabric.
Craft stuffing
Basic sewing notions
Optional: Ribbon pieces if you want to make them into hanging ornaments like I did.


***

First up is my "mother hen" ornament pillow.
1.  I cut around the word "CHRISTMAS" from the black patch print fabric with a 1/4" seam allowance.  I was too lazy to measure just how long the rectangle is - so I just cut the accompanying pieces a little longer than the patch print rectangle.  [Okay, I did measure the patch print rectangle out of curiosity, and found the way I had cut it measures about 19-1/4" long.]  The holly print is at 1-1/2" wide, and the gift print is at 2-1/2".  The trick is to piece all the rectangles together, and then trim them straight after that.
[Flexibility tip:  You can certainly adjust the widths of the accompanying pieces to suit the final size of your pillow.]



2.  Here you see the front of my pillow top all pieced, trimmed and pressed.



3.  I lay it on my pillow back fabric, and cut a piece of fabric that is the same size as the pieced pillow front. [If you are making this into a hanging ornament, you will be positioning your ribbon piece at this point]


4.  Then, I sewed the front and back pieces, right sides together, leaving an opening.  The corners are trimmed, and the pillowcase is turned inside out -- all ready for me to stuff with stuffing.  I like to press my pillowcase somewhat into shape before I stuff.



5.  Hand stitch the opening shut, and the pillow is done!



Next, we will make the "chicks."
1.  Here you see I have cut individual letters from the cream patchprint fabric that spell out C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S.  I measured 1/4" around the outer frame around the letters and cut square that are about 2-5/8".  Again, I am using the piece and trim later method.  So I cut all my accompanying  pieces  at (1-1/2" x 5-1/2").


2.  I sewed the accompanying pieces, in no particular preference to the swatches for a scrappy look, to the letter C square, and trimmed as necessary. [Yikes, I need a new cutting mat!]


3.  Here you see the front of the pillow ornaments, ready to be assembled.


4.  As before, I would cut the pillow back fabric to size based on the pillow front.  Place the front and pieces right sides together, sew and leave an opening.  This time I attached a ribbon piece.

5.  Then I clipped the corners, turn the pillow inside out, press and stuff!  Voila, a hanging pillow ornament.


Making these project has been really fun - I intend to finish up all the Christmas letter ornaments in time for Christmas!  These ornaments will be perfect to teach my 5 year old to spell Christmas!
I hope you liked my little hen-and-chicks Christmas project using the patch print fabrics from Holiday Magic, and will use these fabrics in your Christmas projects this year!




Thanks so much Wendy!

Would you like to win a fat quarter bundle of Holiday Magic? It's easy! Simply sign up to follow the Benartex blog (use the email or Bloglovin' buttons in the right hand side bar and leave a comment letting us know that you do). In the comment, let us know--do you make your own ornaments? For a second chance to win, follow our Sew Interesting page on Facebook and leave a comment here letting us know you do. The giveaway is open through Monday, July 28 at 11:59 EST and the winner's name will be randomly selected and announced next week on the blog. Be sure to head over to Wendy's blog as well to check out her other work!

Check out the rest of our Christmas in July tutorials:
Day 1: Debby from Debby Kratovil Quilts and Season's Greetings

Day 2: Benartex Blog Design Team with Holiday Balis
Day 3: Lisa from Stubbornly Crafty with Christmas Pure & Simple

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112 comments:

  1. i follow via email. yes i make my own ornaments

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  3. I make a few ornaments. I got on a crocheted thread ornaments last year. I was trying to do some Martha Stewart ribbon ornaments a few days ago, but I missed something and they didn't turn out. :(

    I seem to go in and out of being no-reply, so just in case: jhunsberger (at) gmail (d0t) c0m

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  4. Wendy did such a nice job on her sweet projects. Yes, I do make some of my own ornaments. I follow via Bloglovin.

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  5. I follow via Facebook!! I do make ornaments each year!! Thanks for the chance!!

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  6. I have made cross stitch ornaments, quilled paper ornaments (many years ago), and shrink art ornaments (when my son was young). For quilted things though, I usually go big. I follow via email and GFC.

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  7. I am following the Benartex blog viua Bloglovin'!! Thanks for another chance!!

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  8. I follow via Bloglovin. I love making my own ornaments!!!

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  10. I follow Sew in Love {with Fabric} on bloglovin. Yes I make a lot of my own ornaments.
    kdavis1@centurytel.net

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  11. I wasn't sure how to follow our Sew Interesting page on Facebook so liked the post. Don't know if this counts?
    kdavis1@centurytel.net

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  12. I follow the blog by email. I make felt ornaments every year.

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  13. I follow Sew In Love {with Fabric} via email. I have not made any ornaments for the past few years. Seem to have enough of them. But, maybe I am due for some new ones.

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  14. I follow with GFC - I make sets of ornaments to gift to neighbors (with a cookie platter) each year.

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  15. I follow on Bloglovin. I think ornaments make great gift ideas.

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  16. I follow by email and blog lovin. I love your project

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  17. I follow sew interesting on facebook

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  18. HI,what neat projects! Yes, I have made many of our Christmas Ornaments! Even a 2" log cabin one of greens+reds! Thanks for a great post+giveaway!

    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  19. HAPPY TO FOLLOW YOU ON FB !

    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  20. Gayle Pulley paintedquiltsJuly 25, 2014 at 11:13 AM

    Following Sew in Love by email. I have made so many ornaments over the years and continue to love doing that. Love this fabric!

    illusions@raininerconnect.com

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  21. Yes I make Christmas ornaments. It was a tradition every year, when my children were small to make multiples of one ornament as a family project. These became teacher gifts etc. during the season. Now our church holds an advent festival where we make 12 - 15 different projects in an afternoon - many are ornaments.

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  22. I do follow Sew in Love on Bloglovin and by E-mail. Some years I make ornaments, if I see a great pattern I like.

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  23. I liked Sew Interesting on Facebook.

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  24. Email follower !
    I love making Christmas ornaments!

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  25. I love the projects shown today. I follow with GFC.
    I have made a few ornaments to hang on our tree. I had dreamed of having all hand made ornaments hanging on it, but haven't gotten around to making enough yet.

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  26. I follow with bloglovin. I love to make Christmas ornaments!

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  27. I follow Sew Interesting on FB.

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  28. What is Christmas without "hand-made"? Gifts, ornaments, food, the cat? I follow by email and I think you are Bloglovin' too.

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  29. Oh yes I make my own ornaments - I think 70% of my tree are handmade by me or someone else!! Christmas is my favourite time of year because everything can be homemade!!

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  30. I follow your blog through GFC and just requested to join the Facebook page.

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  31. I follow the Benartex blog through e-mail. I do make some of my own ornaments. I try to come up with something new each year.

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  32. I follow the Sew Interesting page on Facebook.

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  33. I follow with email and GFC. Most of my ornaments are homemade either by myself and a few by my husbands grandma.

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  34. I am following Sew Interesting FB page.

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  35. I'm already a happy follower. I do make some of my ornaments. I like to use them as decorations on gifts. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  36. I am also a very happy follower of yours thru emails. I am enjoying your Christmas tutorials this week. They are very well written and look forward to making these myself. Thank you for the chance to win.

    Sandi Timmons
    sandit1@sbcglobal.net

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  37. I'm also a follower of your blog through emails. Definitely love the Christmas fabrics.

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  38. I joined the Sew Interesting Facebook group

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  39. what great fabric, I like to use the letter fabric 's to put a baby's name on a wall hanging
    would also be nice for christmas pillow case
    anyway love the fabric can't wait to get to the store.
    kathy

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  40. I follow via email. I love this idea. I've made other ornaments, but this could be fun with scraps. Great directions.

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  41. I follow Benartex by email. I make a lot of our Christmas ornaments - I try to make at least one new on every year. Thanks!

    Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

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  42. What great fabric. Can see many ideas forming in my brain. Follow by email. Am looking forward to finding this fabric.

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  43. I follow via email. I have made several of my ornaments, received many as gifts.

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  44. Following Benartex blog. Yes, I make my own ornaments.
    24Tangent@gmail.com

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  45. I follow Sew Interesting on FB as Stitching Happily

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  46. Follow blog via email (laura84watt). Yes, over the years I've made many different types of ornaments.

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  47. I follow via e-mail. I have made some of my ornaments and I still have some of the ones the kids made in school (25 yrs ago)! :)
    craftyccain@gmail.com

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  48. I also like your FB page! :)
    craftyccain@gmail.com

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  49. I follow on Bloglovin. I don't make Christmas ornaments. I am more likely to make larger quilts or sewing projects.

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  50. So happy to find your blog and follow it! I don't make my own ornaments, yet ;)

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  51. I follow Sew Interesting on fb, yay!

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  53. I follow by email. I have made many ornaments over the years!

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  54. I follow on Bloglovin ! I make quilty ornaments for my granddaughters each year.

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  55. My latest ornament making craze is small crazy patch blocks. Yes, they're like potato chips. You can't make just one. Problem is, they're so cute when I get them done I don't want to give them away. They're great for using even small scraps that you might have otherwise thrown away. If I do actually give one as a gift I write a note on the back and date the ornament.

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  56. I follow by email. I have made several of my own Christmas ornaments.

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  57. I follow through e-mail. No I haven't tried to make an ornament. Thanks for the chance. The fabric is lovely.

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  58. I follow Sew Interesting on FB.

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  59. I already Follow, theu Bloglovin & Email both :)

    Yes!!! LOVE Homemade ornaments on our Tree!!! Grangirlie's & I make new ones each year...and for their trees too. :) Great Fun!!

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  60. I love making Christmas ornaments! I've made almost all of the ornaments on our Christmas tree. I follow your blog with Bloglovin'.

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  61. I have been making ornaments for as long as I can remember. I already follow the blog by email. thanks

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  62. I follow you on bloglovin and made my first ornament this year.

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  63. I follow on bloglovin'. I have made a few ornaments, but not for a few years.
    jen dot barnard at btinternet dot com

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  64. Hi, I follow on Bloglovin, and my family has been making our own special items to hang on the tree, either sewing, carving, painting, paperfolding, or baking them.....

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  65. I have made ornaments in the past and have attached them to gifts. Now, I like to make quilts, table covers, pillows, aprons and such.

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  66. I follow Sew Interesting on facebook and receive Sew in Love by email.

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  67. I follow via email and I have made some ornaments, but not very many. Thanks for the great tutorial.

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  68. I already like your Facebook page. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  69. I follow through email. I do make some of my ornaments, I try to make a new one each year.

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  70. I follow Benartex via email. I make some ornaments, but not very many.

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  71. I follow via bloglovin. I have made lots of ornaments in the past…and love them all dearly!

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  74. I already am following the Benartex blog on Bloglovin' and also via email. In years past yes, I made all my own ornaments each year. I then stopped doing any sewing to raise my 3 boys as I had no time. Now that they are grown, I have started sewing again and have made a few ornaments as gifts.

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  75. I am a big fan of the Benartex Christmas fabric lines and of Wendy Sheppard too! This project is just adorable - cant wait to get my hands on the fabric. Thanks for the inspiration! I'm a blog follower ...

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  76. Thanks again for the sweet Christmas project! I'm a Facebook follower too!

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  77. I follow Benterex blog on bloglovin'. I love to make my own Christmas ornaments -- stitched, beaded, needlepoint, felt with sequints. I love them all!!

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  78. I follow Sew Interesting on FaceBook.

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  79. I make most of my ornaments, have done so since the "lean" days, where I couldn't afford to buy any ornaments, so I made them! My grown kids still treasure those ornaments!
    I follow via Bloglovin and email.

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  80. I also follow you on FB (Piroska B...)

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  81. I try to make a new ornament every year. I have a whole collection starting when I was about 10 and I'm 50+ now so I have a lot of handmade ornaments.
    I follow via bloglovin'.

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  82. I haven't made an ornament since grade school, but my Mom still puts them on the tree! ksmith8@emich.edu

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  83. i follow your FB page-karrie smith. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  84. Great tutorial! Yes, I make Christmas ornaments. I follow via Bloglovin. b.j.day68 at gmail dot com.

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  85. I follow Sew Interesting on FB. b.j.day68 at gmail dot com

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  86. Hi! I follow with email and Bloglovin'. We have a great Christmas ornament exchange in our quilt guild, so I'm always on the lookout for fun ornament ideas. This is great!

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  87. Just signed up to follow the Sew Interesting group.

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  88. I follow the Benartex blog via email

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  89. I follow the Benartex blog via email

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    Replies
    1. Oops! I do make different ornaments for Christmas.

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  90. I follow Sew Interesting page on Facebook

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  91. I liked the Sew Interesting FB page

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  92. Hi! Love the fabric and the tutorial! I have signed up to the FB group and added your wonderful blog to my Feedly reader. I have made lots of ornaments from various mediums in the past but have yet to make any sewn ornaments - however I would sure like to start and these are perfect. not to intimidating so I could make a collection!

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  93. I follow Sew Interesting on FaceBook.

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  94. Nice lesson! I would try to make Christmas ornaments. You may see some of my home made gift by visit my site.

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