Use the Search box below to find keywords that you're looking for quickly and easily!

Thursday

Tutorial: Christmas Gingerbread Man

It's been quite a while since I posted a tutorial on here and Alasse's recent posts reminded me of this one, so with Christmas looming here it is ~

Required Materials & Tools
Template plastic
Sharpie Extra Fine Point permanent marker
Tan coloured 100% wool felt (which is available from Mad About Felt)
4mm wide (6mm total width from top to bottom of zig zag.) white ric rac braid (hard to find, but is available from Lace and Beyond or Alacraft)
Perle cotton to co-ordinate with felt
Perle cotton - red for mouth
Tiny black buttons for eyes
Tiny red buttons for nose and front
Threads for sewing buttons on
Sewing needles & scissors
Polyester fibre filling

Instructions:
Firstly draw a freehand gingerbread man shape onto paper. Once you are happy with the shape, trace onto quilter's template plastic or if you wish, trace around a cookie cutter directly onto the plastic. I always use plastic for making pattern templates as the size doesn't change with repeated use and you will probably want to make quite a few of these for Christmas.

Cut out your template, lay it on a good quality wool felt (it keeps it shape and doesn't stretch like acrylic felt) and trace as many as you need, allowing two for each finished man. (Make sure the side with pen marks showing goes to the inside.)


Once you have them all cut out, cut lengths of ric rac slightly wider than the limbs, allowing enough to fold under the edge, do not have any raw edges showing. Pin and stitch each length by hand onto half of the gingerbread men, in the positions shown below.

Now you can add three tiny heart buttons to trim the front as I have done below, and one for the nose. Then add a couple of round buttons for eyes and embroider the mouth with perle cotton.

Place a trimmed man on top of a plain man, pin to hold in position and blanket stitch around the outside, leaving a small opening where shown for stuffing. Do not cut your thread.

Using small pieces of polyfibre fill your gingerbread man, beginning with the limbs, then body and work back to the opening. When you are satisfied your gingerbread man is stuffed neatly, close your opening with blanket stitch.

You can stitch a little ribbon loop to hang them on your Christmas tree, or a brooch back so you can wear them, let your dolls play with them, string them together to make a garland to decorate your home, use them as stocking fillers or add them to the top of your presents . . . I'm sure you will come up with other ideas yourself.


Most of all just have fun!

18 comments:

  1. This are perfect for christmas tree!! they look easy enough but I don't have any of the materials XD.... I might give them a try though, who knows :D it looks super fun

    Thanks for the tutorial! (you have such a perfect stitch)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh do give it a go Alejandra, they are really great fun to make and so easy. There are links to where you can purchase the hard to fnd items, just click on the blue names.
      Not sure I agree with you, but it should be reasonable, as I have had years of practice. :)
      Hugs,
      X

      Delete
  2. Wonderful project...it's hard to believe Christmas will be here so soon. Thanks for sharing your process! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It comes around quicker each year, but I think that's because the older you get, the quicker time passes. :) Hey you're welcome.
      Hugs,
      X

      Delete
  3. Thank you for posting the tutorial! I never thought to use cookie cutter for the pattern. I actually have one as I normally bake some gingerbread men for Christmas. Do you get the plastic templates just from craft stores?

    I have to make an order for some of that felt in the next few weeks.

    I think I will make some of these for the Christmas tree this year and maybe make some smaller ones to go with the name tags on the Christmas presents.

    Thank you for sharing this. Have bookmarked.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Alasse,
      If you have other cookie ciutter shapes, you can use them all. I bought a Christmas pack years ago when the kids were little, but I think you can still buy similar ones. Round ones are good for the tree, and you can decorate with old beads or embroider names on them.

      The template plastic comes in sheets and is usually near the quilting cutting boards etc. in SL or Lincraft. You may even find it in quilting fabric shops.

      Hugs,
      X

      Delete
  4. Thanks for this tutorial, they're sooo cute and I hope I can try using felt one day~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your'e welcome Irene, i would love to see them if you do. :)
      Hugs,
      X

      Delete
  5. Awww that looks so adorable!! Thank you for the great tutorial, I definitely need to bookmark it and try making some closer to Christmas! I'd love to make some pastel colored ones too ;3;

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Safir,
      Mmm, pastel ones would be cute ~ yummy macaron colours!
      Hugs,
      X

      Delete
  6. Hello Sandy,
    thank you for the great tutorial. They look beautiful.
    Big hug,
    Giac

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Giac!
      Thank you. Yes they are just what you need to make to relax you in between house remodelling. Hahaha!
      Hugs,
      X

      Delete
  7. These are so cute! I think they will make great gifts for co-workers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Richi. Hope you have fun making them. :)
      Hugs,
      X

      Delete
  8. They look great! And of course, the possibilities are endless. Christmas trees, rocking horses, reindeers...
    Thanks for sharing,

    Anja/Aurinel

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Anja, yes, you can do any shape you like, they are only limited by your own imagination.
      Hugs,
      X

      Delete
  9. Hi Sandi!
    Thank you for sharing this tutorial, they look lovely and the possibilities are endless.
    Greetings ^^

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lily!
      Hey you're welcome. :) Hope you have fun with it.
      Hugs,
      X

      Delete

Thank you for visiting my blog, I appreciate those who take the time to comment, ask questions or leave feedback. :)

SPAMMERS: Comments are moderated and all spam is deleted!