'Peppermint Swirl' Ornament Tutorial

Today is Friday. I actually thought that it was Thursday until hubby told me otherwise. Silly me. Evidently, I have been so busy that I've lost track of the days of the week.

My intent was to bring this to you earlier in the week but each attempt at writing up the tutorial was futile. Each evening I'd sit my notebook on the arm of the recliner (big mistake) and attempt writing up the tutorial. Close to midnight, I'd wake up with my notebook still balancing on the arm of the chair with hardly a sentence written. This scenario took place 3 nights in a row. It is now Friday morning, and I have decided that I need a new strategy to accomplish this task. So, with coffee in hand, I am now going to write up this tutorial; once and for all.

This is a smaller version of the 'Simply Peppermint' Pincushion that I made back in January of this year. Ever since making the pincushion, I have wanted to create Christmas tree ornaments just like it. Well, since I was making a prototype, I thought that I'd drag you along for the ride.

This can be made as large or as small as you would like. You could make a miniature ornament all the way to a gigantic pillow by adjusting the size of the circle.

The supplies that are needed for this project are: fabric, paper and cardboard for pattern, scissors, Heat 'n Bond Ultra, an iron and pressing surface, felt, fiberfill, button, needle and thread, and sewing machine.

Begin by creating the triangle swirl pattern. Fold a paper circle into 8 pie-shaped pieces. For this project, I used a 3-1/4-inch circle. With a ruler, draw a 1/4-inch border around the straight edges of one of the triangles. This will allow you a 1/4-inch seam for sewing. With scissors, cut out the pattern piece from the circle.


For this project, I used a 3-1/4-inch circle for the body of the peppermint. Cut 2 circles from fabric. Cut 8 triangular pieces from fabric, 4 for the outside and 4 for the lining.


Pin one triangular lining piece and one outside piece together, right sides facing each other. Sew along the straight edges of the triangle, leaving the rounded edge open for turning. Repeat this step with the remaining triangles. Trim each seam close to the sewn edge. Turn right side out. Press flat.


Place one fabric round, right side facing up, onto a flat surface. Place one triangle, right side facing down, onto the fabric round. Sew this in place using a 1/4-inch seam.


Pin the remaining triangles, right sides also facing down and spaced evenly apart, onto the fabric round.


Place the remaining fabric round over the triangles, right side facing down. Pin in place. Sew around the perimeter being sure to leave a small space for turning above the previously sewn triangle.


A close up of the area that is left open. Again, please note that the area that you are leaving open for turning is above the triangle that had been previously sewn into place. Failure to sew the triangle into place ahead of time will result in a loose triangle that will need to be hand sewn at the completion of the project.


Turn right side out and stuff with fiberfill through the opening.


Hand sew the opening closed. This seam will not show as it will be covered when the triangles are anchored into place.



Create the holly leaves:

You will need 3 holly leaves for this project. To create the leaf pattern, start with a rectangular piece of paper the desired size that you would like your leaf to be (approximately 1/3 of the size of the body of the peppermint). The holly leaf shown in the diagram is for a 2-inch leaf. The holly leaves that were used for this ornament started off with a rectangle 1-inch in length. Divide the paper into three parts as shown in the diagram. Draw a holly leaf shape within the space as shown.

Cut the shape from the paper and transfer the shape to cardboard. This will become your holly leaf pattern.


Trace 3 holly leaf shapes onto the non-glue side of a sheet of Heat 'n Bond Ultra. Iron the Heat 'n Bond onto the wrong side of a piece of green fabric. With scissors, cut out the leaf shapes.


Remove the paper backing and iron the holly leaf shapes onto white felt, being sure to leave a minimum of 3/8" between the shapes.


Cut around each leaf shape leaving a scant 1/8" margin of felt around the edges.


To complete the ornament, bring all 4 triangles to the center and tack in place. To create a tufted look to the piece, bring your needle up and down through the center several times. Secure with a knot. Before cutting the thread, sew the holly leaves and a decorative button to the center. Add a loop of thread or fishing line for hanging.


I hope you enjoy making this project. Start now and you will have a tree full of peppermint goodies before the holidays.

It's back to the sewing room for me. Take care, everyone!

Aloha!