This book is for anyone seeking respite from impersonal commercialism and all things disposable, and who would like to spend half an hour or so now and then making things – either alone, or with friends or family. Enjoy the process and reap the rewards.
Ros Badger
Dressing the Christmas tree
Dressing the Christmas tree is a lovely ritual in which all the family can participate. Choose a time when you can work in an unhurried way – ideally towards the end of the afternoon or early evening so that the lights can be switched on with a degree of ceremony when it gets dark.
The idea of the ‘styled’ tree, with all the objects newly bought to fit in with an agreed colour scheme, is anathema to the homemade approach. Instead, bring out vintage decorations that have become family heirlooms since your own childhood and beyond, plus newer ones made by hand, perhaps some of them by the children in your life. Homemade items bring an energy all of their own to the tree, adding to its significance as a family talisman, loaded with memories and associations, from year to year.
Like the eggs on the Easter tree, your collection of homemade tree decorations will become a treasured possession that you can add to year by year. As well as making pieces, such as the embroidered felt shapes on the next page, we also buy a few new or second-hand items every so often – from vintage finds on eBay to those picked up on trips around the country or travels abroad.
Less is most definitely less when it comes to tree decoration. In our book, you can’t have enough decorations and we load our trees with this eclectic mix of old and new until there is very little greenery showing in between.
Felt decorations
Bursting with cheerful colour and homespun charm, these felt decorations couldn’t be simpler, and they are a great way of involving children in pre-Christmas preparations.
You will need
Felt, which is generally much cheaper when sold by the metre than in smaller squares
Ribbon (ideally recycled lengths from your stash of ribbons)
Stewing threads in contrasting colours to felt
sequins (optinal)
To make a felt decoration
• Using a paper pattern only where really necessary (there are templates for the decorations shown here), cut out the decorations, using two layers of felt for each one. For the heart, you could cut out some of the pieces of felt using pinking shears to add a pretty, zig-zag edging.
• Sew the pieces together by stitching around the edge in tiny running stitches. Use a contrasting colour to add some basic but attractive decoration. Secure a loop of pretty ribbon at the top edge as you are sewing.
Star, heart and stocking decorations
• These three lovely decorations are shown. We used chain stitch to decorate the star, heart and stocking with words.
• For the stocking, use the template. Start by attaching some white felt (the cuff) to each piece of red by working a row of chain stitch across the bottom edge of the white cuff. Then stitch the red pieces together by sewing around the outer edges in running stitch, but leave the top open. Attach the ribbon loop to the corner of the top back edge. Work a row of running stitches across the top of each side of the stocking to secure the white cuff. There should be plenty of space for a chocolate!
Bauble decoration
• Cut out two circles freehand or use the template. Join the circles by sewing around the outside with running stitch, leaving a space about 2cm (¾in) wide to add stuffing.
• After stuffing with kapok (toy stuffing) or a clean pair of tights, continue sewing up the gap with running stitch, adding the ribbon loop for hanging.
Holly decoration
• Use the templates. Cut out two pieces of green felt using the leaf template, and sew veins onto them using small back stitches. Cut out two or three red berries using the berry template, and stitch to the top near the ribbon. Sew the leaves together, sewing in a loop at the top.
Adding sequins
• We sewed sequins to the bauble and Christmas tree. Using a continuous thread, and the sequins randomly all over the decoration. Or you could add the sequins before stitching the felt pieces together.
Knitted angel
Placing the angel at the top of the Christmas tree is traditionally the final task in the annual ritual of decorating the branches. And what could be more charming than this little knitted angel?
You will need
4-ply wool in the following colours (use up ends to make this angel as it takes tiny amounts): cream, tan or skin tone, pink, yellow (or other colour, for hair)
3.25mm (UK size 10; US size 12) knitting needles
Stuffing or cotton wool
Tension over stocking stitch
14sts and 18 rows = 5cm (2in)
Arms (make 2)
Cast on 10sts in cream, 2sts in tan.
Work 6 rows in stocking st (knit one row, purl one row).
Cast off 12sts.
The arms and legs naturally roll so that the reverse side of st st is on the outside. Catch together cast-on edge to cast-off edge in the direction that they have rolled. Sew in any loose ends.
Legs (make 2)
Cast on 12sts in tan, 2sts in pink or a contrast colour.
Work 6 rows stocking st.
Cast off 14sts.
Catch and sew edges as for the arms.
Body
Cast on 20sts in cream.
Work 17 rows in st st.
Then knit 6 rows more.
Cast off.