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.

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Comment by Agne on September 30, 2011 at 0:02: Thank you for sharing this great tutorial!

Comment by Julia Dean on July 11, 2011 at 18:45: Beautiful!

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

Thank you for sharing.

Comment by medha devdas on June 3, 2011 at 5:52: lovely

Comment by Anne on March 17, 2011 at 15:42: 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 6, 2010 at 16:41: 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 24, 2010 at 22:42: Lovely

Comment by Michele English on November 14, 2010 at 14:40: Great!

Comment by Elaine Maul on November 11, 2010 at 4:14: Wow! Thank you so much for posting this tutorial. What a lovely decoration it will make for Christmas.

Comment by Karen Tsutsumida on November 10, 2010 at 19:01: 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 October 31, 2010 at 14:22: I have made two....they are fun. Thanks for posting!

Comment by Sharon on October 29, 2010 at 23:47: 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 14, 2010 at 8:01: Fabulous idea and great instruction; thankyou!

Comment by Ruth Ann Andres on October 13, 2010 at 8:23: How clever...yet your tutorial makes it do-able for even me (I think)

Comment by Laurie Nuske on October 12, 2010 at 15:37: 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 5:42: Wow this is terrific I am looking forward to making some new xmas decorations.

How to make a felt ball decoration

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