Materials needed:
– Felt in various colors (mainly red, white, and skin tone)
– Scissors
– Sewing needle and thread
– Polyester stuffing
– Small dowel or stick
– Fabric glue or hot glue gun
– Embellishments (optional)
Step 1: Start by cutting out the gnome’s body. Take a piece of red felt and fold it in half. Draw a half-oval shape on the folded edge, ensuring that the width of the shape is slightly wider than the desired size of your gnome. Cut along the lines, and when you unfold the felt, you will have a full oval shape.
Step 2: Cut out a rectangular piece of white felt to create the gnome’s beard. The size of the rectangle should be a little longer than the length of the gnome’s body and about twice as wide as desired for the beard. Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise and use scissors to make small snips along the folded edge. Be careful not to cut through the fold completely.
Step 3: Attach the beard to the body. Apply fabric glue or use a hot glue gun to secure one end of the beard along the curved edge of the gnome’s body. Gradually glue the rest of the beard, allowing the snipped edges to create a fluffy look.
Step 4: Cut out a small circular shape from the skin-toned felt to create the gnome’s face. Use a sewing needle and thread to stitch on the face, including eyes, a nose, and a mouth. Alternatively, you can also use glue or draw the details with a fabric pen.
Step 5: Fold the body felt in half again, with the beard on the inside. Begin sewing along the curved edge, starting from the bottom and working your way up. Leave a small opening near the top for stuffing.
Step 6: Stuff the gnome with polyester stuffing through the opening. Use small bits of stuffing at a time to ensure a smooth and even shape. Once you are satisfied with the firmness, sew the opening closed.
Step 7: Cut a small triangular-shaped piece of red felt to create the gnome’s hat. The size of the triangle will depend on the desired length and pointiness of the hat. Fold the triangle in half lengthwise and stitch or glue the two long edges together to form a cone.
Step 8: Attach the hat to the gnome’s head. Apply fabric glue or use a hot glue gun to secure the base of the hat to the top of the gnome’s head. You can also sew the hat directly onto the gnome if desired.
Step 9: To give your gnome some stability, insert a small dowel or stick into the bottom of its body. You can secure it with glue or sew it in place.
Step 10: Finally, add any additional embellishments you desire. You can glue on small felt flowers, bells, or even a miniature felt sack. Let your creativity shine!
Now that you know the process, it’s time to gather your materials and get started on your felt gnome-making adventure. These whimsical creatures will surely bring joy and character to your home or make delightful gifts for friends and family. Happy crafting!