Stitched Wreath Christmas Cards

Stitched Wreath Christmas Cards

I have been experimenting with looping to make some stitched wreath Christmas cards.  Here's how...

Calico & pelmet vilene

I bonded some calico to pelmet vilene so that I had a stable base to work from. Pelmet vilene often comes ready treated on one side so that you can bond fabric to it by ironing it on.

Card bases

I chose my card bases which were approximately 5 inches/125mm and 5.75 inches/148mm square.

Pelmet vilene and calico cut to size

I cut the bonded fabric into squares approximately 3.25 inches/8 cms per side.  This size would work with either card base.

Draw a circle to represent your wreath

Next I drew a circle in pencil in the centre of the fabric square.  You won't see this when your wreath is finished.  It was appproximately 1.75 inches/43mm in diameter.  I drew round a bobbin the right size to get the shape.

Running stitch

Using strong linen thread and a running stitch, stitch round your circle.  Don't make the stitches too small and try to keep the stitches and the gaps even.  I used my thread double and finished off securely on the back of the fabric.  If you don't use a strong thread it is likely to snap when you start looping.

Textured yarns

Textured yarns make the best wreaths.

Loop through your running stitch

Using a blunt ended needle and your textured yarn start making your loops by weaving in and out of your running stitches.  When you get back to the start continuing weaving in and out so you have loops in both directions between every stitch.

Loops on both sides

Keep weaving in and out until you can no longer see your running stitches and the result is wreath-like.

End result of looping

Try different yarns to see which effect you like best...

Using a different yarn for looping

When your wreaths are done add some decoration for example, sequins and beads...

Wreath decorated with sequins and beads

Or you could use thread and French knots, just beads or different combinations of sequins and beads...

Decorated wreaths

You may need to iron some of the wrinkles out of your work.  If you have one of those mini irons that quilters use, this works best because it's tiny and can get into small spaces.

Finished cards

Using double sided tape or some glue attach your wreath to your card and stitch round the edge.  Use a longer stitch length than usual as you are stitching to card.

Add a stitching greeting if you like

Your card is now finished unless you want to add a stitched greeting!