gram's skate ornament how to
A couple posts back, I mentioned a mini-ornament swap my friend Dawn and I did this holiday season. It took me a really long time to decide what to make. I had no idea... Until one night while I was trying to fall asleep, it came to me - Gram’s Ice Skates. I got out of bed right then and headed to the basement to search them out. Of course, the ornaments were in the very back of the storage room! Sorta how it always happens, right?
Gram’s ice skates were perfect inspiration. These skates are older than me and are in pretty good shape for their age. From these skates, I updated the pattern just a little – rounded out the edges a bit. Nothing to big that I think she would mind...
Want to know how I made them? I took pictures along the way, so I figure it will be just as easy to write a little tutorial as I describe them.
Supplies:
• Wool Felt
• Large paperclips
• Embroidery thread
• Sequence
• Seed beads
• Quilt batting
• Ribbon
Gathering all my supplies would have been really easy if I didn’t have to wait in line for 30 minutes at the fabric store for 1/2 yard of fabric (1/4 yard gave me enough for 12 sets – yes, I started out planning to make just one set, but then I decided I might need to make one for everyone in my family too).
I traced my pattern (you can download it here) onto the felt and the batting and cut them out. On the batting, you will then need to trim about 1/8 or so off the edges... Or probably smarter, trim inside the line the first time you cut.
Gram’s laces were sequence and beads. I liked her style, so I matched them completely. On one side of each skate (remember, each pair has on right and left, so be sure to bead on correct sides) add 4 sequence, bead combinations. First place the sequence, add the bead and then take the needle back through the hole in the sequence.
Now it is time to put the pieces together, scoot the felt through the paper clip, so the clip is in the middle of the pattern. I like the double end of the paper clip to be the toe-pick. Place the batting in the middle and fold the felt. I then pinned it together with a long quilting pin. It really only needs one and I even tossed that one aside once I got going on the embroidery.
To stitch, I used two strands of matching embroidery floss. I started my thread inside the back of the skate so I could hide the knot. Evenly space your stitches around the skate and about 1/8 inch from the edge. Before you get to the top of the skate, add a length of ribbon by poking it inside between the batting. When my stitching got there, I did a backstitch to tack in the ribbon. You can hardly see it in the picture...
When I finished both skates, I tied the ribbons together so that one skate was higher than the other. This is so much like how I used to carry my skates as a kid... Just without the skate guards.
Pretty simple... Unless you are making 12 pairs!
Very good idea to use paper clip, l liked so much thanks for sharing
Posted by: Canan | January 07, 2009 at 05:53 AM
These are so adorable! I'll be linking to this tutorial for sure from Feeling Stitchy and thanks for commenting! :)
Posted by: floresita | December 18, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Oh!!!!
So cute!!!!
Posted by: SaraHC | December 28, 2007 at 09:29 AM
They are so cute. I am going to have to try to make a few of these to save for next year.
Posted by: Paula | December 23, 2007 at 07:11 AM
they are wicked cute, even better in person! thank you so much!
Posted by: Heidi | December 23, 2007 at 06:25 AM
I made them using your tutorial and thought you might like a peek at the finished product.
http://cindyiscrafty.wordpress.com/2007/12/21/skating-thru-skating-is-through
Posted by: Cindy | December 21, 2007 at 11:35 AM
Love, love, love them! I can't skate so these are the perfect pair for me :). I do love the idea of skating though ....
Posted by: JennyC.No3 | December 20, 2007 at 12:16 PM
Adorable! These are just perfect.
Posted by: Leslie | December 19, 2007 at 06:24 PM
I love this! I've got a similar version hanging on my tree--same paper clip bottom with a crochet top.
So sweet! I'll have to add this to my to-do list. :-)
Posted by: Brandy | December 19, 2007 at 02:50 PM
SUPER cute! I am so glad you posted this. I have to remember it for next year. Love it!
Posted by: africankelli | December 19, 2007 at 10:09 AM
Excellent tutorial! I'm going to whip up an ornament tonight for my niece who is taking ice skating lessons!
Posted by: Sandy | December 19, 2007 at 08:02 AM
How cute are they! Love them!
Posted by: Cindy | December 18, 2007 at 05:08 PM
How adorable -- thanks so much for sharing!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | December 18, 2007 at 05:03 PM
I love my skate ornament. The paper clip is so clever and the tutorial is nicely done!
Posted by: Dawn | December 18, 2007 at 03:16 PM