NEW pattern now available in my Etsy shop!
*NEW!* Pattern No. 1 – LodeStar Tree Topper
This is the first of two patterns in this short series. Inspired by my own long and fruitless search for the perfect Christmas tree star, this pattern not only guides you to make a lovely heirloom tree topper or pendant, but also shows you how to repurpose parts of it to make ornaments, mini ornaments, mini tree topper and garland. Also included are tips to make an 'easy button' version which omits the embroidery and uses fewer sequins. One of the best features is the lollipop stick attachment. If you've ever shared my frustration with the cones which come attached to retail tree toppers, you will love the lollipop stick. Very easy to attach and stays straight!
Purchase tree topper pattern | Color Guides Coming Soon
Finished size is 11.5 x 11.5 x 2 inches, not including the lollipop stick. Including the dowel it's 17 inches tall.
Once it's in place on your tree, the topper will add about 8-10 inches of additional height. It's secured to your tree with either matching pipe cleaners or zip ties.
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SKILL LEVEL: Beginner friendly!
Hashtag: #lodestartreetopper
Tag me! Love to see what you make in this series. #mmmcrafts and @mmmcrafts on IG.
PLEASE NOTE: International VAT and/or other applicable taxes will be added on at checkout according to your nation's tax law.
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Shown: Two ornaments
Short on time? Lodestar is very easy to simplify. Omit the embroidery and keep the sequins. Or omit both and use a combo of glitter/metallic felts for visual interest. Still so charming!
Q: ARE THESE DIFFICULT TO MAKE? Nope! All it takes is patience plus some basic hand sewing know-how. If you can do a backstitch, whipstitch, sew on beads/sequins, and cut out star shapes, then you can make this series and make it well. The secret to success is Sulky Stick 'n Stitch. All you have to do is print my designs on the stabilizer, then embroider/bead on the lines. Like all of my patterns, there are detailed step-by-step instructions and diagrams/photos to make the process fail safe.
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:
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 wool felt, stabilizer, sequins, Pellon, and other stuff needed?
I have lists of US sources for materials in the back of all my patterns. Also Benzie Design will be offering lovely kits to go with my detailed color guides (coming soon!) that include most of what you need! More details on those later.
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.
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 Christmas patterns some lovely holiday sparkle. Check out this blog post to get the skinny on what they are, where to get them, and what they each do best.
SHARE YOUR PHOTOS! Use the tag #lodestartreetopper on Instagram and Facebook. If you search that tag on Instagram you can view ornaments that others have made! (Since this is a new series, over time the number of photos will build.) Be sure to tag me with @mmmcrafts on IG.
VIEW EVERY LODESTAR BLOG POST: If you'd like to read and see more photos of Lodestar, click here for a chronological sorting of all my blog posts.
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!
Sulky Printable Stick 'n Stitch is quite possibly one of the best products to ever happen to felt crafters. It's a sticky backed stabilizer that you can use in your printer or copier. It washes magically off with water, leaving no trace of itself. And it is readily available and affordable! (Besides the Sulky website, it can be found at Amazon.com, Wal-Mart.com, Benzie Design, Felt On The Fly, and often in your local sewing/craft store.)
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:
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 #lodestartreetopper on Instagram and Facebook. If you search that tag on Instagram you can view ornaments that others have made! (Since this is a new series, over time the number of photos will build.) Be sure to tag me with @mmmcrafts on IG.
VIEW EVERY LODESTAR BLOG POST: If you'd like to read and see more photos of Lodestar, click here for a chronological sorting of all my blog posts.
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!
THE WONDER THAT IS SULKY STICK 'N STITCH:
As I mentioned above, the secret to making my Twelve Days Ornament Series quickly and consistently is this Sulky stabilizer Stick 'n Stitch (also sold as Sticky Fabri-Solvy) and my printable patterns:
Same stuff, just different branding!
Sulky Printable Stick 'n Stitch is quite possibly one of the best products to ever happen to felt crafters. It's a sticky backed stabilizer that you can use in your printer or copier. It washes magically off with water, leaving no trace of itself. And it is readily available and affordable! (Besides the Sulky website, it can be found at Amazon.com, Wal-Mart.com, Benzie Design, Felt On The Fly, and often in your local sewing/craft store.)
So, basically you print my pattern pieces directly on the stabilizer, peel off the backing, apply it to wool felt and stitch the embroidery designs directly through the stabilizer. Once the stabilizer is soaked away, you are left with a perfectly executed embroidery design on felt. No pin dot tracing. No guessing. No fading ink marks while you are trying to work. No re-appearing ink marks after you are done. FANTASTIC.
Now you may be thinking, "Wait a minute, you can't soak wool felt in water!" Oh, yes you can! The key to this process is to pre-shrink your wool felts at least a day or so before you start the project by simply soaking them in cold water for a few minutes and letting them air dry over rods or on towels. It won't change the texture or thickness of the wool felt if you do it that way, and the pre-shrunk wool won't shrink when you soak off the stabilizer. I've tested this with wool-blend (wool + rayon) and also 100% wool felt and it works equally well for both. Are you excited yet?
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! :-)
Now you may be thinking, "Wait a minute, you can't soak wool felt in water!" Oh, yes you can! The key to this process is to pre-shrink your wool felts at least a day or so before you start the project by simply soaking them in cold water for a few minutes and letting them air dry over rods or on towels. It won't change the texture or thickness of the wool felt if you do it that way, and the pre-shrunk wool won't shrink when you soak off the stabilizer. I've tested this with wool-blend (wool + rayon) and also 100% wool felt and it works equally well for both. Are you excited yet?
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! :-)
when will we know when the tree topper is available to purchase? I love it and would like to purchase when it's available. I love making the 12 days of Christmas ornaments!
ReplyDeleteHey there! It's currently underway and I always post about it on all my channels anytime there's an update like a pattern release. :-) IG, FB, blog and Pinterest.
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