AuriKids: Stitched Ornament

Happy July! Today, we are thrilled to share our third AuriKids project by Gwendolyn Sheppard and her mom, Wendy! If you missed our AuriKids introduction, head here. This series is all about creative expression, innovative thought, and getting the kiddos involved in some seriously fun family time!

Please join us in welcoming Gwen & Wendy back to Auribuzz for the third of the 6 projects that will be released over the next 6 months. Have fun!

---

Hello Friends — have you been sewing along with a little friend or by yourself since I last shared “Happy To Be ME” and Smar-kly ornament?

Read more about Spool-en-dids, and find out the names my daughter has for her selected colors HERE.

#1.  You may now purchase the collection from FAT QUARTER SHOP by clicking HERE.

#2.  You may purchase the collection from Donna — email her: followthatthread@yahoo.com

#3.  You may also purchase collection by clicking HERE.

#4.  OR, ask your local Aurifil dealer to order the collection for you.  Click HERE for a dealer near you!

Miss Baby is saving the royalties for her college fund, as well as supporting the medical missions of Samaritans Purse.

---

PROJECT: Cross-stitching Primer Pillow Ornament

SUPPLIES:

• Cross-stitch Aida fabric (11 or 14ct — I recommend 11ct for younger children 7 and under, 14ct for older)
• Spool-en-did threads
• Aurifil 50wt thread
• 4 pieces of scrap fabric to frame the stitched piece
• 1 piece of scrap fabric for the backing
• 1 piece of ribbon
• Embroidery hoop
• Tapestry or embroidery needle
• Stuffing material
• Basic sewing supplies

NOTE: This tutorial, as well as all subsequent pillow ornament tutorials, is not for a specific finished size. You may make it as big or as small as you wish. Since we hang our pillow ornaments on our Christmas tree, our ornaments do not finish larger than 4″.

GOAL: This project is to get children familiar with structured stitching associated with the “holes” on Aida/cross-stitching fabrics.

PLEASE read through the entire project before attempting. You may let your kid stitcher step in and be involved in any of the steps. For us, my daughter participated in selecting the fabrics and doing the stitching. I did the rest.

Tutorial:
Start with a piece of cross-stitch Aida fabric that amply fits your hoop. The stitches are done with 2 strands of embroidery floss. Aurifloss is a 6-strand floss, just like the conventional embroidery floss, so you’ll want to cut a length of the floss and separate out 2 strands for the stitching.

Step 1:  Refer to the photo below to teach your kid stitcher stitching just straight lines, half-cross-stitches, and then cross-stitches! Notice all the Spool-en-dids come out to play on this one!

Notes:

#1.  It’s important that you hoop the cross-stitch Aida fabric so that the stitches are neat and crisp. Otherwise, your kid stitcher might struggle with the tension of the stitches.

#2.  Your kid stitcher may choose to stitch more than just 15 squares in a row and that is perfectly okay! A larger stitched area would make an excellent throw pillow. Since we are doing ornaments at our house, we do a limited number of stitches so that our ornaments do not end up being more than 4″ x 4″.

#3.  For something different, feel free to mix colors. For example: combine 1 strand of yellow with 1 strand of brown for a fun effect.

Step 2: After stitching is complete, remember to praise your kid stitcher to the sky!

Step 3: Trim and square up your piece and frame with fabric scraps to make pillow ornament top. Place pillow front and back right sides together, tucking a folded piece of ribbon in between, and sew around all 4 sides using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Leave a small opening for turning.

Step 4: Turn pillowcase right side out and stuff. [Note: I started using the stuffing made by Hobbs recently, and have ABSOLUTELY loved it!!]

Step 5: Hand stitch opening shut and there you have it!

Next month, we will be cross-stitching a thread spool ornament!

Meanwhile, Miss Baby is stitching a Patchwork aux Chats sampler (designed by French designer Jardin Prive – I highly recommend her designs for children).  She is mixing her colors to stitch the cats.  Follow me on Instagram for work-in-progress pictures.

I hope you will enjoy this little stitching project with your kid stitcher, and jump start a lifetime of sweet stitching memories. If you are stitching along — do send me pictures — the plan is to do a couple more of these, and we will have a nice giveaway for those who are participating!

p.s.  If you missed the article in a recent Quiltmaker issue about my experience in teaching Miss Baby to stitch, it is now available online here.  Enjoy!

---

WENDY SHEPPARD
Website — Instagram
Originally from Southeast Asia, Wendy came to the US for her tertiary education.  After her degrees in Chemical Engineering, she worked in research in a wind tunnel for a spell.  Nowadays, she is a stay/work-at-home Mom to a 7 year old.  Wendy’s designs have been featured in major quilting publications, both home and abroad.  She is also an author for Landauer Publishing, as well as an online quilting instructor.  She is passionate about encouraging quilters to enjoy their quilting journey.  During her free time, she loves to read history, and indulges in hand needlework.

 

GWEN SHEPPARD, Age 9 — Spool-en-dids

Gwen is the daughter of Aurifil Designer Wendy Sheppard of Ivory Spring. She started stitching with her mom 4 years ago and is already an incredibly skilled cross-stitcher. She stitched a magnificent sampler using threads from her AuriKids collection, a piece that we were honored to showcase in our booth last Fall at International Quilt Market. Gwen is just getting started on her creative journey and is turning her attention to quilting.

 

 

10 Small Spools Cotton Floss
Colors included:
2277 – 1104 – 1135 – 2860 – 4663
2520 – 1231 – 4020 – 2225 – 2155