Ebenezer Ornament Series

My Ebenezer Ornament Series is a set of heirloom hand-sewn ornament patterns which are inspired by the 1843 Victorian novella, A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. This hand sewn wool felt pattern series will feature the most memorable characters from the well-loved story.

SKILL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE

(If you have completed my Twelve Days Ornaments, you are ready!)

PATTERNS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE:

Pattern No. 5 – Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come

This silent spectre is the third and final of three spirits sent by Marley in an effort to save the unrepentant curmudgeon, Scrooge. The climax of the novella comes as the spirit points silently toward a a neglected gravestone and Scrooge is terrified to realize it is his own! He begs this spirit to know if he might change his future, and we see as the spirit's kind hand wavers that there is hope yet for Scrooge! This pattern includes the ghost figurine and also a bonus gravestone ornament. 

Purchase Yet To Come pattern  |  Benzie Color Guide

Pattern No. 4 – Ghost of Christmas Present

The second of three spirits to appear to the hapless Scrooge, as foretold by Marley. This short-lived spirit is a cheerful giant, wearing a long, fur-trimmed robe and holding a magical torch with which he spreads Christmas peace and joy. He also features a holly crown, jeweled belt, and empty scabbard trimmed with a jingle bell and sprig of berries. The best part for Dickens devotees: Inside his robe are hidden the pitiable figures of Ignorance and Want!

Purchase Christmas Present pattern  |  Benzie Color Guide

Pattern No. 3 – Ghost of Christmas Past

The first of three spirits to visit the hapless Scrooge, as foretold by Marley. This strange candle-like youth/old man ghost with long white hair and a flowered tunic will take Scrooge on a spirit journey to his younger days. Mr Past here is sporting a crown of light, a snuffer hat tucked under his arm, and is holding a staff of fresh holly. 
Purchase Christmas Past pattern  |  Benzie Color Guide

Pattern No. 2 – Mr. Marley

Jacob Marley is Scrooge's first nocturnal visitor in Dickens' yuletide ghost story. He appears in the same garb that Scrooge always saw him wearing in life – pigtail, waistcoat, tights, and tasseled boots, with his spectacles pushed up on his forehead. His chin and head are bound in a folded kerchief, and he is wrapped in the long chain he forged in life, complete with wrought metal money boxes, padlock, key, and purse.
Purchase Mr. Marley pattern  |  Benzie Color Guide

Pattern No. 1 – Mr. Scrooge

Ebenezer Scrooge is the miserly protagonist in Dickens' yuletide ghost story. He is sporting an embroidered, beaded, and sequined Victorian era dressing gown, night shirt and night cap, and holding a single 'dip', by which meager light he is peering into the penurious darkness of his chilly house. Little does he know, his night is about to get pretty interesting. (Bah! Humbug.)
Purchase Mr. Scrooge pattern  |  Benzie Color Guide

Hashtag: #ebenezerornamentseries

Tag me! Love to see what you make in this series. Also tag #mmmcrafts and @mmmcrafts on IG.

THIS PATTERN SERIES IS ONGOING! Check back here for new information as new patterns become available. Each pattern will be released as soon as I complete it, and I will post about it on all my channels anytime that happens. The best way to keep current is to follow me on my IG or FB pages or follow my blog. I always post links on IG or FB if I post on the blog.

WHEN WILL THE SERIES BE COMPLETED? As I am a part time designer, I hope to release at least one pattern per year in this series until it's completed, two if possible. (I've had to scale back my previous expectations on this because of my chronic back problems, alas.) My maximum working capacity is 2-4 new patterns per year, but I'll be working on another different series in tandem with this one. If there are more that are completed, I'll gladly release them! I have to work with limited time. Don't we all! Thanks so much for your excitement and enthusiasm! I really appreciate it. It keeps me going.

• Total number of patterns in the series: TBD, but very likely nine
• Average size of the finished ornaments: About 3.5 x 5 inches (9 x 13 cm) Of course, it varies because the shapes will vary, but that will give you an idea.

Mr. Scrooge is about 3.5 inches wide and 5 inches tall, not including the loop

WHERE TO BUY THE PATTERNS: You can purchase the Ebenezer Ornament PDFs (and my other patterns) exclusively from my Etsy shop and download them at your convenience. Your pattern download links do not expire:

PLEASE NOTE: International VAT and/or other applicable taxes will be added on at checkout according to your nation's tax law.

BENZIE DESIGN KITS: Available now, purchase wool felt/floss/notions kits which coordinate with my detailed color guides. The kits come in two different palettes: Modern Pastel and Victorian. 

Please note: The kits do not include the sewing pattern. Purchase the patterns in my Etsy shop.

Q: HOW DO I FIND MY PATTERN DOWNLOAD?
Etsy sends automatic email receipts with download links to your account email address. Check your spam folder if it's missing. Lost the email? Your patterns are also backed up under your Etsy account, and can be found by logging in with a browser and checking your purchases. NOTE: Etsy also allows guest checkouts, but the only way to access guest purchases is through your email receipt. Guest purchases will not show in your Etsy account unless you link them. It's easy.

Q: I DON'T HAVE A PRINTER. DO I NEED ONE?
In short, yes, at least for the pattern pages themselves to print on regular paper, and also to print or copy the pattern pages to the Sulky stabilizer. Once you have a master set of pattern pages on regular paper, keep 'em handy. Then you can use a copier. Suggestions:

• Perhaps you have a friend/son/daughter/life coach/tolerant neighbor/secret crush that has a printer you can borrow?
• Perhaps you work somewhere that will allow you to print a few personal pages?
• Libraries and churches often have copiers and printers you may use and may charge per page.
• Note: office supply stores will not print my patterns without checking with me first because my patterns are copyrighted. Just contact me via my Etsy shop if you run into that issue: mmmcrafts.etsy.com

Q: WHERE DO I BUY THE MATERIALS like felt, stabilizer, sequins, and other stuff needed?

I have lists of US sources for materials in the back of all my patterns. Also Benzie Design is offering lovely kits to go with my detailed color guides that include most of what you need!   

Q: I'M OUTSIDE THE US. WHERE DO I BUY THE MATERIALS like felt, stabilizer and other stuff needed? 
I've compiled a short list of international wool felt vendors here, recommended to me by their customers. Also, Benzie Design gladly ships internationally.

Q: I'M NEW TO METALLIC FLOSS AND THREAD. WHAT'S THE BEST KIND TO USE?

I specify several kinds of metallic flosses and threads in my patterns to give my Ebenezer ornaments some lovely Victorian glitter. Check out this blog post to get the skinny on what they are, where to get them, and what they each do best. 

Q: ARE THESE DIFFICULT TO MAKE?

Because of the small scale, these ornaments are not beginner projects, but they are easier than you think! If you are familiar with hand sewing and can 1) sew basic stitches neatly (running stitch, backstitch, and whipstitch) and 2) cut and assemble small pieces with precision and 3) work with sequins and seed beads, then you can make these ornaments and make them well. Why? Because of a magical Sulky stabilizer called Stick 'N Stitch. If you use the stabilizer, there is no tedious pattern tracing or embroidery transferring involved. You simply use a printer or copier to print my patterns to the stabilizer, peel off the backing, adhere it directly to the wool felt, and then stitch right on the lines. You can read more about that process here. In addition to the stabilizer advantage, you'll find my patterns are chock-full of very clear instructions and detailed diagrams to guide you through each and every step.

NEED SOME ADDITIONAL HELP?
If you read my reviews on Etsy, you'll often see comments about how thorough and detailed the instructions in my patterns are. Purchasing my patterns is more akin to purchasing a craft class, and I include lots of tips and tricks within the instructions. However, click the graphic below for additional methods I have posted about that will help you perfect your techniques:

SHARE YOUR PHOTOS! Use the tag #ebenezerornamentseries on Instagram and Facebook. If you search that tag on Instagram you can view ornaments that others have made! Be sure to tag me with @mmmcrafts on IG. Note: Please do not share images or video of my actual pattern pages. 

VIEW EVERY EBENEZER BLOG POST: If you'd like to read and see more photos of all the patterns and prototypes, click here for a chronological sorting of all my blog posts.

PINTEREST BOARD: A handy way to view lots of my Ebenezer Ornament Series samples in one place.

ARE YOU HAVING TROUBLE with washing away the Sulky stabilizer? Does it still feel gummy/sticky no matter how many times you soak it? There is a batch of faulty stabilizer out there. Please read this post!

I hope this resource page has been helpful to you! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via my Etsy shop! That is the quickest way to get an answer. You can also message me on my Facebook page and Instagram. Merry sewing! :-)