Saturday, June 3, 2023

LodeStar Tree Topper: detailed Benzie color guides


LodeStar Tree Topper is the first in a short series of two wool felt Christmas star patterns. Here are the detailed Benzie felt plus floss/sequin/bead color guides for each of the samples I made, so that you can easily make LodeStars that look just like mine.

Benzie Design has long been one of my favorite places to purchase wool-blend felts (and they also have 100% wools, metallics, and glittered). They have stellar customer service, quick shipping, and their felt, floss, sequins and beads are an absolute joy to work with! They will be very happy to help you with what you need, including a good many of the tools and other notions you'll need for these patterns. They also have a .com if you prefer, but their kits for my patterns are only sold via Etsy.

First, some handy links to get you started:
To buy the LodeStar Tree Topper pattern: mmmcrafts.etsy.com

To buy the felt colors referenced below:
Benzie's handy Lodestar listings tailored to my guides below. You can choose suggested options in the drop down menu.
Shop all of Benzie's Metallic or Glitter felts
Shop all of Benzie's sequins & beads: Benzie Sparkle & Shine page

Below I'll tell you exactly what I used from my stash – all felt is Benzie, but some notions are Benzie's but some are not. For instance, I used bulk silver lined 10/0 beads for most, but Benzie's 11/0 beads also work wonderfully well. Feel free to make substitutions!

Here you go:

Aqua/Silver LodeStar  

BENZIE FELT COLORS:
Aqua: A and D 
Silver metallic: B, C, and E

FLOSS/SEQUIN/BEAD COLORS:*
  • A: DMC White, 5 mm translucent iridescent sequins, 10/0 silver lined clear seed beads
  • B: DMC White and 958, 5 mm aqua sequins, 10/0 silver lined clear seed beads
  • C: DMC 958
  • D: DMC D168, Benzie 5 mm silver sequins, 10/0 silver lined clear seed beads
  • E: DMC 958, Benzie 8 mm silver sequins, 5 mm translucent iridescent sequins
*All sequins/beads sewn with silver sewing thread
Note: Feel free to sub in 11/0 beads for 10/0, or use 5 mm sequins wherever I've used 4 mm.


White/Silver/Gold LodeStar

BENZIE FELT COLORS:
White: A and D 
Silver metallic: BB and E
Gold metallic: C

FLOSS/SEQUIN/BEAD COLORS:*
  • A: DMC D3852, 5 mm translucent iridescent sequins, 10/0 silver lined clear seed beads
  • BB: DMC 832 (outlines) and D3852 (middle veins), Benzie 5 mm gold sequins, Benzie gold seed beads
  • C: DMC 04
  • D: DMC D3852, Benzie 5 mm and 4 mm silver sequins, Benzie silver seed beads
  • E: DMC 832, Benzie 8 mm and 5 mm gold sequins, 10/0 silver lined clear seed beads
*All sequins/beads sewn with gold sewing thread
Note: Feel free to sub in 11/0 beads for 10/0, or use 5 mm sequins wherever I've used 4 mm.


Mustard/Bronze/Gold LodeStar

BENZIE FELT COLORS:
Mustard: A
Bronze metallic: B, C, and E
Gold metallic: D

FLOSS/SEQUIN/BEAD COLORS:*
  • A: DMC White, 5 mm clear iridescent sequins, 10/0 silver lined clear seed beads
  • B: DMC White and 3845**, Benzie 5 mm silver sequins, 10/0 silver lined clear seed beads, Benzie Aquamarine seed beads  
  • C: DMC 3845**
  • D: DMC White, 6 mm copper sequins, Benzie 4 mm Copper sequins, Benzie Rose Gold seed beads
  • E: DMC 3845, Benzie 8 mm silver sequins, 10/0 silver lined clear seed beads
*All sequins/beads sewn with gold sewing thread
**Blue not your thing at Christmas? Try subbing in another color for the blue stitching: bright red, mustard yellow, white, silver, or gold.
Note: Feel free to sub in 11/0 beads for 10/0, or use 5 mm sequins wherever I've used 4 mm.


Burgundy/Red/Gold LodeStar

BENZIE FELT COLORS:
Burgundy: A and D
Red metallic: BB, C, and E

FLOSS/SEQUIN/BEAD COLORS:*
  • A: DMC 666, 5 mm red sequins, 10/0 silver lined clear seed beads
  • BB: DMC D3852, Benzie 5 mm gold sequins, Benzie Gold seed beads
  • C: DMC 154
  • D: DMC 666, Benzie 5 mm and 4 mm Gold sequins, Benzie Gold seed beads
  • E: DMC 154, Benzie 8 mm gold sequins, Benzie Gold seed beads
*All sequins/beads sewn with gold sewing thread
Note: Feel free to sub in 11/0 beads for 10/0, or use 5 mm sequins wherever I've used 4 mm.


Iridescent/Silver 'Easy Button' LodeStar

BENZIE FELT COLORS:
Iridescent metallic: A and D
Silver glitter: B, C, and E

SEQUIN/BEAD COLORS:*
  • A: 8 mm and 5 mm white iridescent sequins, 10/0 silver lined clear seed beads
  • B: 5 mm white iridescent sequins, 10/0 silver lined clear seed beads, Benzie Foxglove seed beads**
  • C: 5 mm white iridescent sequins, 10/0 silver lined clear seed beads, Benzie Foxglove seed beads
  • D: 5 mm smoky translucent iridescent sequins, 10/0 silver lined clear seed beads
  • E: 8 mm white iridescent sequins, 10/0 silver lined clear seed beads
*All sequins/beads sewn with iridescent sewing thread
**I used pink Foxglove beads because my iridescent white sequins appear mostly pink.
Note: Feel free to sub in 11/0 beads for 10/0, or use 5 mm sequins wherever I've used 4 mm.

I hope these guides have been helpful! Questions? Contact me at mmmcrafts.etsy.com