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project // felt shamrock ornament with benzie deep-etch dies

Felt Shamrock Ornament Tutorial

I always love a good mix-and-match project, and this felt shamrock ornament is SO MUCH THAT! First, it combines felt and printed fabric. Next, it mixes up the idea of ornaments and non-Christmas holidays. And finally, it uses two different deep-etch dies that I designed for Benzie Design, changing up how you use one of them in a big way.

And among all of those things that I think are pretty fun, one of the things that make this project unique from almost every other ornament pattern I've made is that this has a very 3-dimensional quality to it. Plus, St. Patrick's Day is just kinda fun, right?

But first, let's talk about the deep-etch dies.

Felt Treat Trio - Dies
Stamp of Approval Deep-Etch Dies

*This post contains affiliate links.* I've designed several sets of dies that you can use with a manual cutting machine (I have the Sizzix Big Shot). The first set was called Circles and Scallops and its primary use is for cutting out ornament bases, but there's a lot more you can do with them too.

Then I created a set called Stamp of Approval, which has stamp base pieces, but also hearts and an X and O. Now, you could make a shamrock stamp with just this set, but I went for a circular ornament and the second to largest heart.

I didn't think I needed a die-cutter like this. But I LOVE using it. And I love finding new ways to use the dies that I have.

Felt Shamrock Ornament Tutorial

So if you are still processing all this, the shamrock on this ornament is made with hearts. The stem part is just cut freehand. And while this tutorial doesn't have patterns (I'm using the dies, afterall), you could cut circles for the ornament base and then cut out some hearts if you don't have these dies.

I'll also show you how to easily make this a 4-leaf clover, which would make this a lucky charm and not just an ornament.

Felt Shamrock Ornament Tutorial

I maintain that hearts are NOT just for Valentine's Day, and using them to make something else entirely only adds to my point.

So let's grab some supplies and make a shamrock ornament!

Felt Shamrock Ornament Tutorial

You will need:

Wool blend felt in two colors
Circles and Scallops deep-etch die
Manual die cutting machine
Green printed fabric
Paper-backed fusible web (I used Wonder Under)
Iron
Stamp of Approval deep-etch die
Scissors
Green embroidery floss
Needle
Stuffing

Felt Shamrock Ornament Tutorial

Cut out a front and back circle for your ornament.

Felt Shamrock Ornament Tutorial

Iron the fusible web to the back of the fabric, then peel off the paper and iron it to a piece of felt.

This is a piece that's the right size for one heart, but you can prepare a larger piece to cut all your hearts. You'll just run them through the cutting machine one at a time.

You'll need a total of three hearts for a shamrock or four hearts for a 4-leaf clover. Felt Shamrock Ornament Tutorial

Place the die on the fabric side of the fused felt. Cut it out with the die cutter. You may notice a little embossed line around the edge, but that will go away if you iron it.

You can place the die on the felt side instead of the fabric side, but I found it had a cleaner cut placing the die on the fabric.

Felt Shamrock Ornament Tutorial

Cut a small stem from one of the fused scrap pieces. It can be as simple as a rectangle if you want!

Felt Shamrock Ornament Tutorial

Fold the hearts in half with the fabric sides touching. Iron them to crease the center.

Felt Shamrock Ornament Tutorial

Arrange the pieces on the scalloped circle. This is how a 4-leaf clover would look, but I went for a shamrock, so the hearts needed to spread out a little.

Felt Shamrock Ornament Tutorial

Use three strands of embroidery floss and running stitch to sew down the middle of each of the shamrock pieces.

Felt Shamrock Ornament Tutorial Place the front and back of the ornament together an sew around the edges with running stitch through the stitch markings. Leave an opening and add a bit of stuffing inside.

Finish sewing the opening closed.

Felt Shamrock Ornament Tutorial

Add a simple hanging loop on the back of the ornament.

Felt Shamrock Ornament Tutorial

Share your finished ornament with your favorite Irish friend or make a bunch to decorate an all-seasons tree!

Of course, you can also hang one of these in your car as a good luck charm. Maybe even fill it with lavender so it doubles as an air-freshener!

Felt Shamrock Ornament Tutorial

One of the reasons I made mine as a shamrock, verses the 4-leaf clover has to do with St. Patrick himself. Well, sort of. Legend says that St. Patrick would use a 3-leaf clover or shamrock to explain the concept of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Like the leaves, they are all separate but also one and the same.

That may not have been something St. Patrick really did, but I still love that this Irish symbol can be a reminder of the Trinity even today!

project // felt quilt block pins

Felt Quilt Block Pins

Show your love of quilting with these sweet felt quilt block pins! March is National Quilt Month, so I thought it would be fun to use my Cozy Quilt Block felt ornament pattern to make something a little different. Instead of making quilt ornaments, today we're making pins. AND, you'll see how you can make some extra quilt block designs!

Last fall I released the ornament pattern in my shop and it shows how to make 12 quilt blocks using the templates included. Here's what those look like:

Cozy Quilt Block Felt Ornaments

Each of the quilt blocks measure about 1.75 inches (the non-square ones are different)...the perfect size for super cute pins!

I mean, just look at this 8-point quilt star in a rainbow of felt colors. I didn't make it a full quilt block, but it still has quilt vibes.

Felt Quilt Block Pins

But now look at how I made blocks that aren't in my original pattern, but still use those pieces. This first one is a Courthouse Steps block, but made using the Log Cabin ornament templates.

Felt Quilt Block Pins
Felt Quilt Block Pins

The orange and pink block is a quilt pattern called Solitaire, and it's made using the largest and smallest triangles from the 4x4 grid. (In the Cozy Quilt Block pattern, I talk about the different grids and how the pieces fit this way.)

I chose these blocks because I thought they were fun to play with and make. But also because you can see how it's not too hard to find designs that you can make using the very same pieces. And you can, of course, create different ornament designs too.

To make this project extra quick, I even skipped stitching (other than the faces). So are you ready to make some easy felt quilt block pins?

Here's what you need:

Cozy Quilt Block felt ornament pattern (available in my Etsy shop)
Felt scraps (Wool or wool blend felt is best - I use Benzie Felt *affiliate link*)
White felt - two 2-inch squares for each pin
Freezer paper
Pencil
Scissors
Craft glue
Black embroidery floss
Needle
Pin back

Felt Quilt Block Pins

Because I save my felt scraps, I used those for my quilt pieces as much as possible. I also planned out which pieces I would need for the different blocks I was making.

Trace or print the patterns onto freezer paper because I promise you it makes cutting the tiny shapes so much better. These pieces need to fit together with some precision, so it matters. At the end of the ornament pattern, there are pages that are designed for easy printing, and if you've never printed on freezer paper before, I have a video that talks about it.

Iron the freezer paper onto the felt.

Felt Quilt Block Pins

Cut out the felt pieces, then peel off the freezer paper. Follow the same process for any block you're making.

Felt Quilt Block Pins

This is the Courthouse Steps block that I made using the Log Cabin templates. I used the center square, two of the smallest rectangles, four of the rectangles from the top of the Log Cabin, and two of the largest rectangles.

Felt Quilt Block Pins

The 8-point star is just eight colors of felt all cut using the 8-point star templates, but skipping the the extra squares and triangles to fill in the spaces around the points.

Felt Quilt Block Pins

For a Solitaire block, the four corners are the largest triangle in the 4x4 grid section of the Cozy Quilt Block pattern templates. All the rest of the pieces are the smallest triangles. I cut four of them from the same light orange color for the center. The bands of coral include six small triangles each of two similar felt colors, which I alternated.

Felt Quilt Block Pins

Cut two 2-inch squares from white felt. I used a rotary cutter and ruler for this, but as long as they are square, you can do this any way you like!

Start gluing the quilt pieces to one of the squares. There will be a small edge of white felt showing, so it helps to use that as a guide for centering an edge piece or two on your quilt block.

Felt Quilt Block Pins

Be sure to spread the glue evenly over the back of each piece.

Felt Quilt Block Pins

On this one, I glued down the corners to make sure the edges were even, then I spread glue in the center and fit the pieces in like a puzzle!

Felt Quilt Block Pins

After the glue dries you can add faces if you'd like. Because the glue stiffens the felt, you'll need a good sharp needle for this. I made my faces with the basic French knot eyes and a scallop smile, but you can use the other faces styles in the pattern too.

Felt Quilt Block Pins

Grab the second felt square and evenly spread glue on one side. Place the quilt block square on top and press it to flatten the squares.

Felt Quilt Block Pins

Glue a pin back to the back of your quilt block. Stitching this onto the second felt square before you glue the layers is a more secure way to do this, but remember my goal of making this easy!

Felt Quilt Block Pins

Once the glue is all dry you can wear your new pin or share them with friends! How fun would these be to make at a craft gathering or even to trade them with all your quilting pals?

Felt Quilt Block Pins
Felt Quilt Block Pins
Felt Quilt Block Pins

Coats made out of quilts are pretty popular right now, but I think this is a pretty adorable way to wear your favorite quilt!

Felt Quilt Block Pins

new embroidery kits from missouri star quilt co.

MSQC Embroidery Kits

Did you know that February is National Embroidery Month? I love embroidery and I love new embroidery finds. I also am on a bit of a mission to help connect people with embroidery because I know that it's something anyone can learn to do. Which is why I was especially excited about the embroidery kits that Missouri Star Quilt Co. released this month!

Missouri Star Quilt Co. (MSQC) has been one of my favorite places to get quilt supplies for a long time. And it makes sense since "quilt" is right there in the name. But some of the products they stock are great for embroidery too. They just didn't have the FULL range of items I'd be looking for. But now that's changed! They have a whole section of gorgeous tools and supplies, from high-end embroidery hoops to ready-to-stitch items to every DMC color of floss.

And then there are the kits. But before I show them off, let me mention a few things.

MSQC Embroidery Go Bag

First, I'm an MSQC Partner. That means the links in this post are affiliate links, but also, they will automatically apply a discount for you on eligble items. It also means that MSQC sent me these items as part of the partner program.

Next, last month, before I knew that these kits would be coming out, I put together what I call an embroidery go bag (pictured above). I used one of their quilting project bags and filled it with fabric, transfer material, thread, scissors, hoops, and more. So imagine my surprise when they unveiled this beauty:

MSQC Embroidery Kits

When I first saw the bag, I didn't know it was a kit, but I immediately recognized that it would PERFECTLY fit an embroidery hoop. And when the box arrived holding this, I was so excited because it was on my wishlist.

Officially, this is the "Learn Embroidery Stitch by Stitch with Missouri Star" kit, but I'd say that it's a great little set, even if you already are an experienced embroiderer. Let's start with the bag itself.

MSQC Embroidery Kits

Before you even unzip this bag, you have to admire this wonderful detail. There's an outside pocket WITH A ZIPPER. This is so handy for keeping the things you reach for all the time, even when the bag is closed. But the zipper means you don't have to worry about losing anything. It's so well thought out.

MSQC Embroidery Kits
MSQC Embroidery Kits

Inside, you'll find three more pockets. One is just a basic pocket, one has an elastic strap to help hold hoops or other items in place, and the third is a mesh pocket with a zipper. And the bag is nice and thick, so you can add more items in the middle without even using the pockets.

MSQC Embroidery Kits

The "kit" items include this custom printed sampler fabric that has 11 stitces to practice. And if you look in the upper right corner you'll see the enamel needle minder of the Missouri Star Quilt Co. logo. At least right now, this is the only way to get that needle minder!

Because I've been stitching a long time now, I've never actually embroidered a sampler like this. I mean, I've stitched samplers and even designed my own, but a printed one is new for me. I think it'll be fun to do this even thought I know the stitches.

MSQC Embroidery Kits

If you don't know these embroidery stitches, they have you covered because there's a little spiral bound book that has excellent diagrams showing the most common stitches you'll want to know. The book also includes patterns and guides for nine designs, and those same designs are included pre-printed on peel 'n' stick wash away stabilizer. Plus a sheet of blank wash away stabilizer!

There's also DMC embroidery floss, a stitchable tea towel, a hoop, a water-soluble pen, needles and needle threader, and a mini scissors. The hoop and scissors aren't as high quality as the ones that come in the heirloom kit, but they do the job.

If you're new to embroidery and want to get something that is more than just a "make this one thing" kit, Learn Embroidery Stitch by Stitch is a perfect place to start. You'll be able to make a tea towel right off the bat, but you'll have supplies and tools to keep going. And it'll all be organized in one place!

But if you not new to embroidery, you may still want to buy this just for the bag alone. I really love it that much!

MSQC Embroidery Kits

But if a beginner's kit wasn't enough, MSQC put together the Ingrid's Wildflower Heirloom Embroidery Kit. This was definitely designed for the more experienced embroiderer/quilter, but it's still good for someone who is ready to take the next step.

Inside this hexagon-shaped tin you'll find embroidery supplies and patterns to make an embroidered floral quilt. This doesn't include the fabric, but you can buy that separately as a kit or use your own fabric choices.

Let me tell you. I gasped when I opened this. First, I love the nod to the past with a floral embroidered quilt and the fact that it's designed to be made as an heirloom. It's gonna be a labor of love. But the items included are also just so thoughtful.

MSQC Embroidery Kits

There's a mini notions kit that includes a very nice pair of embroidery scissors, needles and needle threader, and a needle minder with a sweet little bee (based on one of the patterns in the beginner's kit!). They are all held on a folding card that shares the story of the kit's namesake, Ingrid.

Nostalgia will get me every time. And especially here because I learned to embroider from my grandma who's mom immigrated from Sweden, just like Ingrid. She didn't make stitched squares that I sewed into a quilt, but Nanny and I made things together and this kit feels like a family connection for me too.

MSQC Embroidery Kits

The embroidery hoop in here is a VERY nice hoop. You can probably see that just from looking at the photos, but you can also really feel it. Smooth, beechwood and quality hardware. The embroidery thread is perle cotton, which feels very vintage and I like that.

But to really make this a kit that is easy to use, each of the floral patterns is pre-printed on wash away stabilizer. You can just peel and stick it onto your fabric. This is especially a good choice because the suggested quilt fabric is denim. These patterns aren't just quick and easy to use, but they also make it so you can see the pattern markings on the dark fabric.

MSQC Embroidery Kits

All of the items are wonderful, but I really lost it when I pulled out these cards. Separate from these there's a booklet telling you how to make the embroidered quilt, but these are all about the details. They are hexagon-shaped which I adore and they have stitch diagrams and detailed instructions telling you how to embroider each of the 20 flower patterns.

I think all kits should be this well-planned.

One thing that I was a little worried about with the patterns on wash away stabilizer and the instructions on these cards was what if you wanted to embroider the designs again. Or what if something happened while you were stitching and you couldn't reuse the printed patterns. They thought of that too. There's a page in the set of cards that directs you to a digital download of the patterns. You'll have them forever this way!

Friends, I can think of no better way to end National Embroidery Month than by treating yourself to a special kit from Missouri Star Quilt Co.! And while you're there, check out the embroidery section to see more items that they now offer. They've made it so easy to find almost anything you might need.

Many thanks to MSQC for the opportunity to share these fun new products!