Folded Star Ornament - Finishing Steps

Finishing Both Sides

I finished pinning on the second side of my folded star ornament. I decided on the second side I would only place 3 layers of fabric. However, I started the center in green this time. So, when I was finished, both sides met with the green fabric. Here are photos of both finished sides.

Where the sides meet is where you will place your fabric strip or ribbon. Most times, my sides don't match up perfectly. But like I referenced previously, who cares. It's going to be covered up with fabric anyway. I just make my fabric strip a little wider to make sure I cover it all. Here are my sides. See how at one spot, they overlap a little and in another, there's a nice gap.

Finishing the Ornament

Wrap a string or measuring tape around your ornament to determine the size of ribbon or fabric you need. For this size foam ball, I'll need a 10" strip to be exact. However, I like to add a couple inches to that in case I have any issues and to make a tube at the top to act as a hanger. I usually use matching fabric (or contrasting, depends on the mood :-) 2" wide strip.

Then I fold the strip in half, right sides together and stitch a 1/4" seam down it to make an inside out tube. Turn the tube right side out and press with the seam on the inside, bottom center of the strip. I end up with a 3/4" finished strip to wrap around the ornament.

• Optional instructions - Just fold the sides in (1/4" each) to the back center and iron to make a 1.5" strip with sides folded under. Then, fold this in half again to form the 3/4" strip. This hides the raw edges and still gives you the 3/4" strip to wrap around the ornament.
  

I cut the finished strip to 10" (or however long you need) and then from the excess piece I cut a 1" piece which I'll use later. On the 10" strip, I add double stick tape. Then carefully thread the one end through the 1" piece and secure with tape on the underside. This will be the hanger at the top of the ornament.

Place the area with the 1" piece on top of your ornament if you have a preferential "top". Wrap the piece around your ornament and secure. When you come to the top, feed the other end of the wrap into the 1" piece on the top of your ornament. I'll even reach in with a pin inside this piece and secure further. Now, your ornament is ready for hanging.

• Optional instructions - just use the 10" strip and tape it to the ornament letting the ends meet at the top. Glue on a piece of fabric on top to cover the joint of the two ends where they meet at the top. Adhere something to hang the ornament.Here's the finished wrap. I like using fabric because the wrap is then very smooth.

Hang on your tree or give as a gift! Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for stopping by!

~*~Trish~*~

Folded Star Ornament - Pinning Pieces

Now it's time to begin pinning the triangle pieces to the star. Keep in mind there are no "must follow rules" they are all left up to your individuality and how you would like to arrange the layers. Also, things won't match up perfectly. That's OK, slap on another layer and cover up the imperfection :-). Most of all, make it your own.

Place two of the unfolded squares evenly spaced apart on the foam. Pin each corner and have the corners meet from each side evenly spaced apart.

Layer 1 Step 1 - Place your first triangle directly on the flat 2.5" square just placed. Match the wide edge of the triangle with the corners of the squares. Pin the corners first and then the point. Remember, place the pin in the point in between the two folds a little below the edge. Then pull the folded flaps up and over to hide the point pin.

Layer 1 Step 2 - Complete the second triangle directly across from the first one placed, same method.

Layer 1 Step 3 - Place the 3rd triangle in the empty space besides the two just placed, match points.
Layer 1 Step 4 - Place the last triangle to finish the square. All points should match up.

Next layer, decide how large you want your center star. You should be able to fit 3 or 4 layers without using half the foam ball's space.

Layer 2 Step 1 - When you decide where you would like to start layer two, place in the point pin first and then pin down the outer corners of the triangle.


Layer 2 Step 2 - Place the second piece completely opposite of Layer 2 Step 1. Pin center, hide pin, pin corners of triangle.

Layer 2 Step 3 - Place the third piece 90 degrees from pieces 1 and 2 from layer 2. Pin center, hide pin, pin corners of triangle.

Layer 2 Step 4 - Place the 4th piece directly opposite of piece 3. Pin center, hide pin, pin corners of triangle.

Layer 2 Step 5 - Now add a 5th triangle to the areas not covered by the 4 pieces of layer 2. It's almost like another layer of the same color. You are now starting to form your star. Pin center, hide pin, pin corners of triangle.

Layer 2 Step 6 - Place the 6th piece completely opposite of Layer 2 Step 5. Pin center, hide pin, pin corners of triangle.

Layer 2 Step 7 - Place the 7th piece 90 degrees from pieces 5 and 6 from layer 2. Pin center, hide pin, pin corners of triangle.

Layer 2 Step 8 - Place the 8th piece directly opposite of piece 7. Pin center, hide pin, pin corners of triangle. You should see your first star.

Layer 3 - next color

Layer 3 Step 1 - When you decide where you would like to start layer three, place in the point pin first and then pin down the outer corners of the triangle.


Layer 3 Step 2 - Place the second piece completely opposite of Layer 3 Step 1. Pin center, hide pin, pin corners of triangle.

Layer 3 Step 3 - Place the third piece 90 degrees from pieces 1 and 2 from layer 3. Pin center, hide pin, pin corners of triangle.

Layer 3 Step 4 - Place the 4th piece directly opposite of piece 3. Pin center, hide pin, pin corners of triangle.

Layer 3 Step 5 - Now add a 5th triangle to the areas not covered by the 4 pieces of layer 3. It's almost like another layer of the same color. You are now starting to form your second star. Pin center, hide pin, pin corners of triangle.

Layer 3 Step 6 - Place the 6th piece completely opposite of Layer 3 Step 5. Pin center, hide pin, pin corners of triangle.

Layer 3 Step 7 - Place the 7th piece 90 degrees from pieces 5 and 6 from layer 3. Pin center, hide pin, pin corners of triangle.

Layer 3 Step 8 - Place the 8th piece directly opposite of piece 7. Pin center, hide pin, pin corners of triangle. You should see your second star.

If you have room for another layer without going over the half way point of the foam ball, switch colors and repeat steps from Layer 3.

Once you are done with all your layers, I sometimes go back and pin down all the exposed outer edges in prep for the ribbon or fabric wrap that will hide all the pins.

When finished, flip over the ornament and repeat all steps. I like to use opposite center color and then build out.

Thanks for stopping by
~*~Trish~*~

Folded Star Ornament - Preparing Fabric Blocks

Moving on with the Folded Star Ornament Instructions

After the 2.5" strips have been cut, you want to cut them into 2.5" blocks. You'll end up with a lot of 2.5" blocks. From here, you move on to ironing.

After the squares are now in 2.5" blocks, it's time for the ironing. But first, set aside 2 blocks from each color that you will not be ironing.

1. Step 1 - fold the 2.5" block in half. Use your spray starch if need to make it flat.
   
2. Step 2 - fold the folded half block again into a square. Use your spray starch again if needed.
   

The order in which you prepare all of your blocks is up to you. Meaning, do you do a completely iron and fold one block completely and then move on to the next one? Or, do you iron all in half first before you move on to the next step. Up to you.

One you have your tiny twice folded square, you now open it back up to the original half size and then we fold the edges in to meet the center fold line. Think back to when you made your paper hats. You bring the right side into the center fold line and press and then you bring the left side into the center line and press. Or, you fold them both in, hold them with your finger or tweezers and then press at once. Be careful not to burn your finger like I usually end up doing :-) You will end up with mini triangles.

Be precise when lining up the sides to the center, the closer (without overlapping) the better. Here I am holding one block before I iron it down. I would spray starch here to make sure it stays.

From here, it's just repeat, repeat, repeat until you have a pile of triangles such as this. Notice my saved blocks that have not been ironed.

Thanks for stopping by

~*~Trish~*~

Folded Star Ornament Instructions Part 1 - Supplies List

Folded Star Ornament Supplies List

Since I was so frustrated with securing the ornaments to the Christmas Tree Quilt just yet, I thought I'd do another Folded Star ornament and share the summary of steps.

Here are the supplies you need for a folded star ornament - Just in time for Christmas. I'll try to finish up the instructions within a week.

• I use five 2.5" strips of fabric (full width of fabric) from two different fabrics that you want to use in your ornament. If I have excess left over, that's just more I have for the next star.
  
  
• 3" styrofoam balls. You can get them several places. Go to the dried flower arrangement area of your craft shop and purchase the 3" styrofoam balls. Or online, they are Similar to this example
  
  
• Magic Sizing spray or your favorite spray starch. I like to use Mary Ellen's Best Press clear starch alternative in the non aerosole bottle.
  
  
• An iron
  
  
• Lots of straight pins. Your everyday basic straight pins. You will need at least a package of needles for each ornament.
  
  
• Ironing surface where you can complete tons of ironing.
  
  
• Ribbon or an extra piece of coordinating fabric to wrap around the outside of the ornament to hide the edges
  
  
• Something to act as the hanger for the ornament.
  
  
• A thimble to help you press in a few of the pins that just don't want to go in.
  
  
• Optional tweezers to help move the fabric points back over the pins after they have been placed.
  
  
• Finally, patience, patience, patience.
  

If you have any questions on the folded star ornament along the way, let me know.

Wedding Quilt and Custom Photo Labels

Since I am ahead of schedule on the Christmas tree quilt, I took the time to finish a Wedding Quilt gift I was already behind on. I have a few treasured quilts set aside for those special events that you would like to give as gifts. I made the quilt but just not at that moment. It's like buying an excess of Birthday Cards and picking out a special one for a birthday.

So, I wanted to add special labels to the quilt. After much thought, I decided to scan their wedding invitation and made a center label out of it after I added some photos. I used Photoshop Elements 5 to create the custom labels. I also used the base design of the invitation and created my own "made by" quilt label. I know you won't be able to see specifics on photos below because I have blurred their details and photos for their privacy. I don't know if they would like their photos/info published so better safe. But, I think this gives you an idea.

Then I added fusible webbing to the full labels and adhered them to the "friendship block" quilt I decided will be the special wedding quilt gift. From there, I sewed down the edges of the labels and the quilt will be on it's way today!

If you would like any specific details, feel free to contact me.
Thanks for stopping by!

~*~Trish~*~

Fabric Paint on Applique Quilt

I finally finished removing all of the threads from the front of the fall wall quilt. It's so hard to pull brown threads through on dark fabric, they tend to disappear. Once I finally pulled all the thread through, I looked at all that I needed to finish on the applique'.

Then, I had a flashback to the 80's when we used to make sweatshirts with fabric applique on them and we would always seal the applique edges down with the fabric paint. I must have had a whole wardrobe of finished sweatshirts with fabric painted designs on them.

I then remembered that I recently purchased a bottle of the fabric paint in one of my craft magazine. Now, where could it be. Let me tell you, I found it in my 3 drawer I searched so I was very happy. I examined the color and it was called Diamond, it was sparkly. Yeah, I found my bling bling for this quilt. I tested it out and to me it had coppery flecks in the clear glue... I was sold.

For now, the only place I added it was on the highlights from the pumpkin. I've set it aside to dry for the day and will take another photo and look later. But from the early results, I just may adhere the leaves this way. Let me know what you think.... Improvement or Detraction? You'll need to click on the photos to see the better details.



Thanks for stopping by
~*~Trish~*~

Fall Quilt - Folded Star Ornament II

Folded Star Ornament Twist

** See more Folded Star Posts and instructions by clicking on the "folded star" label on the right side of this blog ***

I'm still fascinated with the folded star ornament and wanted to try something. I printed out photos of my dogs and my great niece (wow, great niece makes me sound old). Then, I just stated folding and adding the triangles to the photos in a star patterns. I tried two different star patterns on the one ornament

It was tough because you didn't have that starting point in the middle. I definitely want to make the photos smaller next time and try again. However, I thought you might like to see my experiment.

Fall Quilt - Cut Outs Completed

Why do applique's have to be so intricate :-) I can see I'm going to have fun sewing down the leaves of this Amish Pumpkin fall wall hanging. There are so many twists and turns. If anyone has a good suggestion on how to quickly sew down this type of applique, please let me know.

I also completed the pumpkin template cut out and the background piece is set. For the background, I chose a black blender fabric. I think it will contrast nicely with all the fall colors. I also chose the background fabric. It's a brown orange tie die like batik.

Thanks for stopping by

~*~Trish~*~

Folded Star Ornament

I was determined to find the pattern for the folded star. It's been pretty tough and I'm pretty good at finding things on the Internet since I work on computers all day long. I'm still looking for a better example of the folded square block for a wall hanging but I did find an example for an ornament. After I could not stop last night until I finished the ornament, I know I'll be able to do the block.

I know black and purple were not the best fabrics to use as an example but since it called for 2.5" squares, I cut up some excess binding I had and re-ironed it since it was already 2.5" wide.

I see lots of ornaments in my future. I'm going to make these for friends for little knick knack gifts for the holidays this year. Let me tell you, it uses A LOT of pins. I want to guesstimate I used about 250+ Here are some photos of the steps along the way.

Fabric Pieces are 2.5" squares folded in half and then sides folded down to form a triangle.

I finished with one side first.

Then the other and the two sides should meet somewhat closely in the middle. Good photo with pins.

It calls for ribbon to be wrapped about the sides to hid the visible pins but I used matching purple fabric. I folded a 2.5" strip in half, right sides together and then sewed a seam. Then I turned it inside out and wrapped it around the ornament and secured with double sided tape.

I added sheer ribbon on the top in a loop to fashion the hanger for the ornament. This has a lot of flexibility here so I'll probably be experimenting with the hangers.

Well for my first try at the folded star, I'm pretty happy with the results. Right now the loop top is pinned, but I'll sew or tape it closed and turn it so the connection is under the loop on the top of the ornament.

There are places I could have been more careful about the distance I placed the next layer and I see a few pins here and there since I did not fold my triangles and press tightly. But, I wish I would have found this sooner, I'll be making these for a while. Let me know what you think :-)

P.s. I see lots of "bling" in their future too! Rhinestones and fabric paint...

Thanks for stopping by

~*~Trish~*~

Halloween Wall Hanging Completed!!

I spent the last week taking little steps to finished the Halloween wall hanging before it's too late and Halloween is already here.

On Monday through Thursday, I did a little sewing each night to complete the sew down of the applique. I tried the quilting foot I was sooo raving about a post or two ago, didn't work for this type of work. It was hard for me to see the applique edge through the foot. So, I return to the zig zag foot. Since there are so many twists and turns on this quilt, I decided to get as close to the edge as I could. Tough job but I got through it. It's not the prettiest, but, hopefully it won't be inspected so closely. I alternated through straight stitch and zig zag and I even returned to the clear thread to sew down the moon. I am so happy with the turn out. Here are some of the steps along the way.

Binding Added

Finished binding and back quilting view

Completely Finished Halloween Wall Hanging

Thanks for stopping by

~*~Trish~*~