How to make a felt ball decoration

This tutorial on how to make decorative felt balls is kindly written, photographed and supplied by Stitchin Fingers Member Grace Lister

Requirements

Two pieces of Felt about 12 inches square, in a pale colour

One piece of Felt about 12 inches square, a bright or dark colour

Embroidery threads of own choice

Toy stuffing or Kapok

Instructions

The instructions given are for a 4 inch diameter ball but the size can be changed. My original red and white one was 6 inches and I am working one 3 inches diameter.

Cut out the two templates marked Segment 1 and Segment 2 from paper or cardboard. Mark 12 of the Segment 1 templates onto the bright or dark coloured felt. Do not cut these out before embroidering. Embroider these 12 segments with whatever design you choose. The embroidery should stand out well from the felt surface and keep any design away from the curved edges. Simple designs work best. Cut these 12 segments out being careful to keep to the curved shape of the segment.

Now mark out 24 of the Segment 2 template onto the pale coloured felt and cut these out. Taking one Segment 2 apply the curved edge to the curved edge of one Segment 1 and stitch together. I used a Buttonhole stitch to do this but any sensible outline stitch would work. It might be possible to do this by machine but I have never tried to do so. When you reach the far point of the Segment apply a second pale piece to the other curved side and continue stitching around the point and along the other curved edge to the other point. Now join the other two sides of your Segment together leaving a space in which to put your padding. Fill the Segment well as it needs to be firm. Close up the gap with stitching. The stitching of these inner edges is never seen so any stitch to close the sides together will do. Continue these instructions until you have 12 Segments completely finished and well padded. Take two completed Segments and join them at one pointed end of the curved edge. Repeat this stitching Segments together so that you have four in a circle joined at the same point. Now stitch these four Segments together where the points of the pale Segments 2 meet. This completes the upper part of the ball.

Take one completed Segment and stitch either end of the oval to the bottom point of two of the four Segments. Join the pale coloured point of these segments to the centre again. Continue this until you have four Segments going round the sides of the ball joined at each end. Now repeat the first procedure stitching four Segments in a circle and stitching them to the rest of the ball at the centre. Attach a hanging loop to one point and decorate the other points with beads of your choice.

0 members like this

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of stitchin fingers to add comments!

Join stitchin fingers

Comment by Agne on September 30, 2011 at 16:02: Thank you for sharing this great tutorial!

Comment by Julia Dean on July 12, 2011 at 10:45: Beautiful!

I have the felt, the beads, and now the pattern.

Thank you for sharing.

Comment by medha devdas on June 3, 2011 at 21:52: lovely

Comment by Anne on March 18, 2011 at 6:42: Ooh, this is gorgeous. I wonder if you could do soldering iron/organza pieces, seal them into segments and then make up a ball like that ... could be tricky but got to be worth a try!

Comment by Sharon on December 7, 2010 at 8:41: Hey Grace I finished my version... I didn't have any felt...so I made the ball with fabric, adding seam allowances and using freezer paper for a pattern... worked well but your stitching is so nice. I will get some nice felt and have another try...cheers and thank you for posting this pattern.

Comment by Samya Salama on November 25, 2010 at 14:42: Lovely

Comment by Michele English on November 15, 2010 at 6:40: Great!

Comment by Elaine Maul on November 11, 2010 at 20:14: Wow! Thank you so much for posting this tutorial. What a lovely decoration it will make for Christmas.

Comment by Karen Tsutsumida on November 11, 2010 at 11:01: I am thrilled to see instructions for these. My friend in Japan makes them out of kimono and obi fabric and they are beautiful! She said they were easy to make and now I see that is true, can't wait to try it!! I love felt work.

Comment by kathy on November 1, 2010 at 5:22: I have made two....they are fun. Thanks for posting!

Comment by Sharon on October 30, 2010 at 15:47: Oh that is so cool, I'm I went looking for this. Loved the photo now I can make one Many thanks

Comment by Julie Shackson on October 15, 2010 at 0:01: Fabulous idea and great instruction; thankyou!

Comment by Ruth Ann Andres on October 14, 2010 at 0:23: How clever...yet your tutorial makes it do-able for even me (I think)

Comment by Laurie Nuske on October 13, 2010 at 7:37: I was hoping a tutorial would follow after I saw the picture, and can't wait to give it a try!! Thanks!!

Comment by Shirley on October 12, 2010 at 21:42: Wow this is terrific I am looking forward to making some new xmas decorations.

Welcome to
stitchin fingers

Sign Up
or Sign In

Translate this site

Our wonderful sponsors

Badge

Loading…

Get Badge

Community Guidelines

1. Do not advertise on this site or sell work in the community areas such as the groups, forum or photos. Avoid links to sales areas such as e-bay, etsy etc. Use your name to watermark your photos not a business or blog name.

Post helpful links to blogs, websites etc but do not pitch or point to direct selling points.

The exception to this is the "Your Page" area, where it is OK to post links to your etsy shop etc

2. Please keep all photos related to the topic of textiles. This means no pets children etc. Photos are limited to 5 uploads per day.

3. Observe copyright law at all times. Infringement will lead to being banned.

4. Using the RSS feature to pull your blog posts from blogger, wordpress etc into your page is permitted. Do not pull in other peoples blogs as this is republishing their material in a public space and a copyright infringement.

5. Keep the discussion on topic. Title your subject clearly.

6. Use the groups for more specific discussions. If you want a new group contact Sharon B. The group moderator needs to monitor the group and keep it going in the original stated direction.

7. This is a family friendly site. Do not post inappropriate material as it will be removed. If you are a subversive stitcher be aware of this rule.

8. Do not post demeaning comments or flame Newbies who make a faux pas - be friendly. Don't post the same thing multiple times.

9. Swaps, round robbins, stitch a longs and challenges are organized through groups. Ideally leaders would have experience with these activities. Swappers take responsibility for their own Exchanges. I, Sharon Boggon DO NOT take responsibility for swaps round robbins etc that get lost, go wrong, or dont work out as expected.

10. Abbreviations, colloquialisms and slang are difficult for anyone who has English as their second language. So please avoid them.

11 Be aware this network is public and anyone can read what you publish here.

Badges | Report an Issue | Terms of Service