Yes… we realize these are rather simplistic gnomes, but that’s the point. These Simple Little Gnomes are a wonderful project for beginning sewers be they six or 60! By using a running stitch to attach the face to the gnomes, and an overcast stitch to sew it all together, even wee crafters can tackle this project.
Of course, if you’d like to embellish your gnomes with a little needlework, it’s a great surface for practicing some new stitches. These Simple Small Gnomes measure 3 1/4″ tall, and are safe for babies with supervision. So, make a few yourself, and gather the wee ones around and let them start populating their own village. They certainly will be proud of their accomplishment.
Materials Needed:
100% wool felt or a wool blend. If they are going to be played with a lot, use 100% wool felt
Embroidery floss
Stuffing of choice – polyfil or wool roving
Pattern
Directions:
Make copy of the pattern.
Cut out the felt. Our tutorial on How to Cut Out Felt can be found HERE.
Using the pattern for placement, sew the face to the body using a running stitch and 2 strands of floss.
Note: Our Stitching Glossary can be found HERE. Our Woven Star can be found HERE.
Optional: Add facial features. You may chose to leave the faces blank. If you do want to add facial features, using the face as a template, draw circles on a piece of paper and experiment with facial expressions. Rule of thumb: when you draw the circle, draw a line thru the center horizontally. The eyes should be placed on that line. Too often people drew eyes too high on faces 🙂 Embroider facial features using 3 strands of floss and use a steam stitch or straight stitch.
If you’d like to add embroidery to the body, do so before you stitch the body together. I added different stitches 1/2″ from the bottom of the gnome. Be creative and add as much detail as you like.
With wrong sides together, fold the gnome so the two edges match. Pin in place. Using 2 strands of floss, sew the seam using an overcast stitch.
Stuff the gnome. Do not overstuff. If you overstuff, the bottom with be distended and will not be able to stand properly. When the bottom is sewn on, it should be flat.
Lay the circle of felt on the stuffing, and sew the circle to the bottom of the gnome using an overcast stitch and 2 strands of floss.
Tah Dah. That’s all there is to it. This is a fast, easy craft that wee ones will love to make. Have fun 🙂
Photos 10/21and10/22/12
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Thanks for the tip on faces. I never would have guessed eyes should be at the center of the face, but they look perfect! I love how simple this pattern is because I know after I make one with my girls, they will be able to do them by themselves and if I know them, they will have tons of extra stitching on them. Question: did you make or buy the mushrooms. If you bought them, is it an online source. Thanks!
OH, you’ve done it again. Love the little cone gnomes. I can sit and watch tv (more like listen) and do some stitching. I’m planning on a mass gnome christmas with these. You are soooooo inspiring. Thanks for all the wonderful patterns and ideas.
Very nice, and looks simple. I’d like do it for my kids, thanks for sharing this info post.
I love you site……….is there an online place that you would recommend getting wool felt from? Or what would I look for when looking online for wool felt??
I love A Child's Dream http://www.achildsdream.com . They have beautiful felt and the owner of the shop is a real sweetheart and wonderful to deal with. Of course, today there are many wonderful shops that carry wool felt, but for 100%, and wonderful service, try A Child's Dream. They also carry many other wonderful crafting supplies, too 🙂
O what a wonderful idea! I love the simplicity of it, even a lousy seamstress as myself can make it. 🙂
Oh these are the dearest little gnomes! There is such beauty in their simplicity. The little lines of embroidery are exquisite.