Cut a piece of felt approximately 6 × 6 inches (15.24 × 15.24 cm). Place it in the 4-inch hoop and secure it tightly. If you are using a Stick & Stitch design, follow the package directions to place the sticker on the felt.

For the snowflake shown here, I used DMC 712 and three basic stitches:

• Straight stitch
• Satin stitch
• French knots

Cut the embroidered felt into a circle approximately 4 inches in diameter. You can trace the inner edge of the outer hoop or use a 4-inch round stencil and a heat-erasable pen. Cut a second matching circle for the back.

Trace and cut two matching felt circles: one embroidered front and one plain back.

Fold the ribbon in half and decide how long you want the finished loop to be. Tie a knot where the ribbon will meet the ornament.

Place a small piece of fiber fill next to that knot, then tie the two loose ends together around the fill. This creates a small anchor that will sit inside the ornament and help keep the hanger secure.

Fold the ribbon, set the loop length and tie the loose ends around a small piece of fill.

I used a blanket stitch around the edge and matched the thread to the green felt with DMC 3052. A running stitch or whip stitch will also work.

1. Cut a length of thread about 2½ times the circumference of the ornament. Knot the end and line up the two felt circles. Use pins to hold them together if needed.
2. Bring the needle up through the front circle only, starting from between the two layers. This hides the knot inside the ornament.
3. Take the thread over the top edge. Bring the needle from the back through both layers, exiting at the same spot as the first stitch.
4. Loop the thread twice underneath the thread along the top edge, working toward the direction you will stitch. This secures the starting point.
5. Choose your stitch spacing. Marking a few guide lines on your thumb can help keep the spacing consistent.
6. Take the needle from front to back through both layers. Before pulling the thread tight, bring the needle through the loop to catch it and form the blanket stitch.

Position the ribbon between the felt layers and secure it as you continue the blanket stitching.

Blanket Stitch Video

The video below demonstrates the blanket-stitch steps outlined above.

Adding the ribbon hanger

After making several blanket stitches, place the hanger between the two felt circles with the ribbon emerging beside your most recent stitch. Hold it in place and work the next blanket stitch snugly around the ribbon. Continue stitching around the ornament.

When you are about three-quarters of the way around the ornament, pause to add the filling. Use as much or as little as you like, distributing it evenly before finishing the remaining blanket stitches.

Add the filling before stitching the final section closed.

Complete the blanket stitching and secure the thread. Gently work around the edge with your fingers to settle the stitches and distribute the fill.

Secure the Thread

Once the blanket stitching is complete, secure the end of the thread. The video below shows the finishing method I use.

Your Ornament Is Finished

Hang it on the tree, a doorknob, a cabinet pull, or wherever a small handmade detail fits.

Once you have made one, try changing the felt color, thread palette or embroidery design to build a coordinated set. The same construction method works for many simple felt ornament shapes.