English artisans Emma Corbett and Lisa Harper of Buttonberry fame were so delighted with the kissing ball they created for Homespun Vol 9 No 7 that they couldnt stop at just one. With some snowflake printed fabric and a collection of crystal and pearlised beads, this talented duo created a true Victorian inspired kissing ball as a special bonus for visitors to Homespuns website.
Materials
Fat eighth light blue snowflake print fabric (outer ball). See note.
Two 30cm (12in) squares of white wool felt (leaves)
DMC Light Effects Precious Metals in Silver (E168)
Embroidery needle
1m (1yd) of 27mm (1in) wide silver metallic ribbon
Two packets of 3mm (1/8in) pearlised beads
Five, 5mm (1/4in) pearlised beads
20, 10mm (3/8in) clear crystal beads
35cm (3/8yd) length of strung crystal beads
Polyester fibre fill
Chopstick or stuffing tool
Fabric glue and silver glitter (optional)
Thin cardboard and 2B pencil
Water-erasable fabric marking pen
Sewing machine and 1/4in foot
General sewing supplies
A copy of Homespun Vol 9 No 7
Finished size: 16cm (61/4in) diameter; 44cm (17in) hanging
Stitches used: Fly stitch
Note: Please read all instructions before commencing the project. Careful and accurate cutting and sewing is essential to ensure success with this project. A seam allowance of 1/4in is included throughout, except for the leaves, which are stitched on the traced line. It is recommended that fabrics, except for the wool felt, be 100% cotton, pre-washed and ironed. Requirements are based on cotton fabric 112cm (44in) wide. If you choose a fabric to fussy cut specific printed designs from for the outer ball, you may need to purchase more than listed depending on the nature of the printed design. Use a smaller than normal stitch on your sewing machine for stitching the ball as this makes the seams stronger and smoother.
Preparation and cutting
1. Follow step 1 published in the instructions for the Kiss Me Tender project in Homespun Vol 9 No 7 to prepare the templates.
2. Lay the segment template on the right side of the snowflake print fabric and fussy trace the template, centring the desired pattern. Trace around the outside of the template using the fabric marking pen and cut the shapes out on the traced lines. Repeat to yield five segments.
Assembly
3. Place two snowflake print segments right sides together and sew along one edge, starting 1/4in from the top point and finishing 1/4in from the bottom point. Repeat with the remaining segments, leaving a 2in opening on the last seam for turning. Turn the ball right side out.
4. Follow step 7 in the magazine to stuff the ball. Work fly stitch in Silver (E168) over the seam lines around the ball.
Embellishing
5. Trace around the mistletoe leaf template 20 times on one square of white wool felt. Pin the second square of white wool felt to the first and sew around the traced lines. Cut out the leaves about 1/8in outside the stitching.
6. Referring to the photograph as a guide, sew the assorted pearlised beads in place, accentuating the snowflake print. Add a 10mm (3/8in) clear crystal bead in the centre of each snowflake.
7. Follow steps 10 to 11 in the magazine to embellish the ball.
8. Make a hanging loop approximately 6in long from the silver metallic ribbon, then make a further four 2in loops, two on either side of the 6in loop. Pin the loops in place in the centre of the top of the ball, making sure the ball hangs evenly. Slip stitch the ribbon in place.
9. Sew the length of strung crystal beads in the centre base of the ball.
10. If you wish to add some extra sparkle to your project, apply a small amount of fabric glue on the top and bottom of mistletoe leaves. Emma and Lisa placed the glue at the very ends of the leaves. Holding the assembled ball over a piece of paper, shake a small amount of glitter over the leaves so that it sticks to the glue. Shake any excess glitter off.
For more information on other charming designs by Emma Corbett and Lisa Harper of Buttonberry, write to 9 Hereford Drive, Claydon, Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 0BF UK, email thegirls@buttonberry.com or visit the website at www.buttonberry.com
