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
 

http://www.weefolkart.com
Copyright © Wee Folk Art 2008 - 2012. All rights reserved.

All photos, text and patterns are copyright protected. You may not copy, reproduce or redistribute any material found on WeeFolkArt.com without written permission. Wee Folk Art retains all rights. Read our FAQs found HERE for specifics or contact us at weefolkart@yahoo.com if you have any questions.
 

Most of you probably don't know this, but my blogging life did not begin on Wee Folk Art. Back in October of 2007, I began a blog called One Generation to Another after my children encouraged me to "write down" some of our family stories. Over the next couple of years it evolved. Here is the blog's About Me page:

I am a wife, a mother, a gammy, a sister, a daughter, and a friend. I have raised three children, numerous pets, ran a home based preschool, and met my soul mate at the ripe age of 47… they do exist! Through him I acquired two more “children” that I have grown to love. When you hear me speak of “my children” it is usually referring to my three biological offspring. When I talk about “our children”, I’m speaking about Tim’s and my collective brood. I received a degree in home economics, later returning to school to get my elementary education degree. I’m at the tail end of the baby boomers and was in my teens during the turbulent sixties. I have lines upon my face from a lifetime of smiles…I count my blessings daily.

I loved, or more accurately, love my life. I enjoy raising my children, befriending my house, and spending time with my gardens. I came from a home rich with traditions, many of which I continued, and added many more to our family’s life.

And “Why the blog?”

This blog is a gift of love to my children and grandchildren. It is, in part, my legacy to them. But, it is also my way, hopefully, of sharing with others the things that worked, and sometimes monumentally failed, on my quest to turn our house into a home. It is a cozy chat amongst friends, and it is meant to span the generations. Although some of the postings are didactic in nature, I hope you find it lighthearted and amusing in tone.
Finally, The Invitation!

In this blog I share stories about children, homes, gardens, friends, observations on life and, well, whatever suits my fancy on any given day! Over the next several months I expect the blog to grow and evolve. I hope to develop an active on-line community committed to sharing and encouraging family lore. I hope you become a regular contributor to the comment section. This blog is intended to amalgamate generations, allowing us all to benefit from different perspectives and points of view. So, welcome, return frequently, share with others, but most importantly… enjoy!

I posted every Tuesday morning until I started Wee Folk Art back in June 2008. Once I began Wee Folk Art I started writing less on One Gen, until finally in November 2009, I stopped posting altogether.

The truth is... I miss One Generation to Another and I have decided to "re-open" the blog. If you would like to join me, I'd love to have you. It is meant to be a "chatty" place, and I am hopeful that if you come, you will feel comfortable sharing your ideas and experiences.

So, there's my new invitation. I hope you stop by at least long enough to decide if it is someplace you'd like to visit :) There is a complete listing of the archives. Each post is its own "story" and can be read independently. All are welcome :)

This week is titled "A Day in the Life of the Chronically Disorganized". It really is nothing more than a glimpse into how my brain works... or more precisely... doesn't :) See you at One Generation to Another (I hope!) 

We don't usually feature applique blocks back-to-back BUT Michelle needed a bird pattern for a project she was working on, so it made sense to turn it into a Black Bird Applique Block. Although we used Halloween colors, this bird can be any color you like :) As always, our Black Bird Applique Block was designed to fit our 6" block, but it can be enlarged or reduced to meet your needs.

The Black Bird pattern can be found HERE.

The tutorial on How to Enlarge and Reduce can be found HERE.

The tutorial on How to Cut Out Felt can be found HERE.

The Stitching Glossary can be found HERE. Note: The Woven Star used for the stars can be found HERE.
 

Felt:
lavender - (block)
pumpkin spice - (flower centers and beak)
mellow yellow - (flowers)
black - (bird)

DIRECTIONS - Refer to pattern and photo for applique placements and cutting instructions.

Make a copy of the pattern.

Cut out felt using material list above and pattern. Transfer any embroidery markings. Note: when cutting out flowers, do not cut perfect circles. The flowers are meant to be slightly askew. Refer to photo.

Using a running stitch, sew beak to block using 2 strands floss.

Using a running stitch, sew bird to block using 2 strands floss.

Using a stem stitch, embroider vine using 6 strands floss.

Using a back stitch, embroider legs using 6 strands floss.

Using a stem stitch, embroider wing using 6 strands floss.

Using a French knot, add eye using 6 strands floss.

Using a straight stitch, sew small flower petals to medium flower petals using 6 strands floss. Note: The outside of the circles are not sewn down. The stitching should just overlap the inner circle. Make 6 straight stitches. These stitches do not need to be evenly spaced. They should be slightly askew. Refer to photo.

Later this week we will be sharing Michelle's tutorial for making Frost Glass Candle Holders. Just in time for Halloween fun!
 

PHOTOS - 07-11-11

http://www.weefolkart.com
Copyright © Wee Folk Art 2008 - 2012. All rights reserved.

All photos, text and patterns are copyright protected. You may not copy, reproduce or redistribute any material found on WeeFolkArt.com without written permission. Wee Folk Art retains all rights. Read our FAQs found HERE for specifics or contact us at weefolkart@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

At the end of summer I gave everyone a sneak peek at an applique block I had just finished. My plan was to enlarge the pattern 300% and make a Halloween banner. ((Sigh)) THAT never came to past... so many other projects we are in the middle of, but I am delighted to share the pattern with you now, and hope that some of you will find awesome ways to use it! BTW... we ALWAYS love to hear and/or see how you've used our creations ;)

As always, our Black Cat Applique Block was designed to fit our 6" block, but it can be enlarged or reduced to meet your needs.

The Black Cat pattern can be found HERE.

The tutorial on How to Enlarge and Reduce can be found HERE.

The tutorial on How to Cut Out Felt can be found HERE.

The Stitching Glossary can be found HERE. Note: The Woven Star used for the stars can be found HERE.

MATERIALS

Felt:
orange - (cheeks and medium flower petals)
purple -  (block)
yellow -  (large and small flower petals, eyes and ground)
green -  (leaves)
black - (cat)

DIRECTIONS - Refer to pattern and photo for applique placements and cutting instructions.

Make a copy of the pattern.

Cut out felt using material list above and transfer any embroidery markings.  Note: when cutting out flowers, do not cut perfect circles. The flowers are meant to be slightly askew. Refer to photo.

Using a blanket stitch on the top and a running stitch along the 2 sides and bottom, sew ground to block using 3 strands of yellow floss.

Using a running stitch, sew cat to block using 2 strands black floss.

Using a running stitch, sew nose to cat using 2 strands purple floss.

Using a running stitch, sew cheeks to cat using 2 strands orange floss.

Using a running stitch, sew eyes to cat using 2 strands yellow floss.

Using a stain stitch for irises, a stem stitch for mouth, and French knots for freckles, add face detail using 6 strands black floss.

Using a straight stitch for eyebrows and a stem stitch for whiskers, add face detail using 6 strands yellow floss.

Using a blanket stitch, sew large and medium flower petals to block using 3 strands black floss.

Using a straight stitch, sew small flower petals to medium flower petals using 6 strands black floss. Note: The outside of the circles are not sewn down. The stitching should just overlap the inner circle. Make 6 straight stitches. These stitches do not need to be evenly spaced. They should be slightly askew. Refer to photo.

Using a running stitch, sew leaves to block using 2 strands green floss.

Using a stem stitch, embroider stems using 6 strands green floss.

Using a stem stitch, embroider leaf detail using 6 strands black floss.

Using a woven star, embroider stars using 6 strands black floss.
 

http://www.weefolkart.com
Copyright © Wee Folk Art 2008 - 2012. All rights reserved.

All photos, text and patterns are copyright protected. You may not copy, reproduce or redistribute any material found on WeeFolkArt.com without written permission. Wee Folk Art retains all rights. Read our FAQs found HERE for specifics or contact us at weefolkart@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

PHOTOS - 07-11-11