Monday, December 6, 2010

Quilted Christmas Ball Ornament Tutorial

 I guest posted this adorable Tutorial over at Stash Manicure  I am so excited to be posting there!!  So click on over to check out the tutorial there or follow below to see the tutorial here :)


What you will Need
( 1 ) 3 inch Styrofoam ball                                           1 foot lace or ribbon                                   
(12) 2.5 inch square pieces of base fabric                    Lots of straight pins with flat heads      
(16) 2.5 inch square pieces of middle fabric                 Hot glue 
(16) 2.5 inch square pieces of border fabric                 Ribbon or sting for a hanger

 Instructions
Step 1 - Begin by selecting the fabric that you want to be the center of the design. Place 2 squares wrong side together and pin to the ball at the four corners



Step 2 - Grab another base square of fabric and fold in half and then in half again. (Right side out). 


Open it up and place a pin from the wrong side of the fabric through the center of the square. Pin this to the center of the square on the Styrofoam ball.  (when pushing in the pins, it helps to use the eraser of a pencil, trust me, your finger will thank you :)


Step 3 - Fold your square down into a rectangle with the pin on the inside of the fabric.  Then fold the 2 corners of the rectangle down to the opposite edge. Place 4 pins along the bottom edge.



 Step 4 - Turn the ball 90 degrees and repeat steps 2 and 3 three more times.  Your ornament should look like this.


Step 5 - Find the opposite side of ball and repeat steps 1 through 3.  Finding the opposite side can be a little tricky and it is important so that it turns out the same.  The best guideline is to measure from one pin to another on both sides of the ball.  You want it to be the same distance apart :)



Step 6 - Pick your second fabric or middle fabric. Continue with the same folding pattern but start the second row approximately 1/2 inch out along the centerlines of the first row.  Place all 4 pieces.



Step 7 - Once the 4 main pieces are down begin placing the pieces on the diagonal. The easiest way to figure out the placement is to draw an imaginary line between the two points of the folded fabric already placed.  Then place the point of the fold about a 1/4" below that line.  Repeat for all 4 diagonals.


Step 8 - Flip the ball over to the other side and repeat steps 4 and 5.

Step 9 - With the final fabric or border fabric repeat steps 4 through 6, once again measuring out about 1/2".  All of your pieces on both sides should meet around the center of the ball or close too.


Step 10 -  Hot glue the ribbon around the ball so that it hides the unfinished edges and pins. Make a hanger out of ribbon or string and secure it to the ornament with pins or hot glue.



 And you are done!!  Now you have an adorable Scrappy Quilted Ball Ornament that didn't require any quilting.  Super fun and super cute!!


The combinations are endless.  I made this one for my daughter's first Christmas and added a cute little Pillow Tag to remember it by.  

I think next I will be making an all scrappy one in different reds, greens, and whites.  I would love to see what you make.  When you are done your Scrappy Quilted Ball Ornament feel free to upload a picture on to my Tutorial Flickr page.  
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13 comments:

  1. Hi, Melissa, because of Stash Manicure, I have found your Blog and it's great - I will be a follower for sure.
    Love your quilted Christmas ball and will surely make a few.
    Would you please consider my name to be added to your generous give-away later today?
    Take care, Cheers, Marie

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  2. You did a great job with the tutorial. I have always loved the look of those ornaments. Now I can hopefully make my own. Thank you.

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  3. Hi Milissa... I read about you on Stash Manicure... I have made these balls years ago... They are so much fun to make ....I have given them fro gifts as well... It is great to see them come back... Thanks for the offer for the wonderful give away... Count me in... :)

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  4. Great tutorial, love the quilted ball ornament. I think I could have fun making these with my 10-year-old granddaughter. Thanks for the chance to win your giveaway.

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  5. I lovethis ornament. Been looking for one to use on tree andmost are square or something odd. This is it. Can't wait to get my red and white out for these.

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  6. I just checked out your tutorial, and it is so cool! I can't believe you don't have to sew, even! And finally, a way to put decorative balls on the Christmas tree without worrying about them breaking on our tile floors!

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  7. I'll be trying to make some of these ornaments this weekend. Thanks for the tutorial!

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  8. I like your tutorial for the ball. Very cute. Not sure if you are still having a give away. Looks like there are a few wires crossed-if it is still on, I will be happy to give your fabric a happy home.
    Pam
    nalaxu@comcast.net

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  9. Your scrappy quilted ball ornament is gorgeous but not that easy to make..? Maybe worth to try.
    Inger

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  10. Hello Melissa,
    Your blog is one of the traffic sources for my blog:) THANKS!
    I read your tutorial on Madame Samm-well done. I will hopefully be doing one after the first of the year over there.
    Thanks for following Nestlings by Robin and have fun with your VIBees-you seem very excited.
    R

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  11. Thanks for tutorial, been trying to make these without a clear understanding of how to do it and now I know how with your help. THANKS!

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  12. can't wait to make one. wish there was a way to print this in shorter version...don't know if I can remember everything...

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  13. don't know how to get on yourmailing list. please enter my name in your giveaway....

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Thank you so much for your sweet comments. I just love hearing from you!!
Have a Happy Quilting Day :)

Melissa