Mistletoe Sprigs 3D Ball

 

A five-sided hollow form holds several dozen leaf stems 

plus trio berry stems to create a fun and festive 

oversized ornament. Hanging twine is threaded through 

opt. bead, top panel, through form, 

then out bottom panel hole, 

with added “anchor” bead at bottom, for security. 

Elevate your Christmas decor by hanging from

 an open room chandelier or door frame. 

Base (interior) form measures approx. 4.125” tall x 

3.625” across mid section. 

Finished size of model 

measures approx. 7” tall x 4.5” diameter. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A hull upper dome   B hull lower dome

C interior collar reinforcement for lower dome

D finger access window covers for upper dome (3)

E top large sprigs disc  F top small sprigs disc

G bottom large sprigs disc  H & I bottom single sprigs

J & M small trio leaf sprigs

K & N large trio leaf sprigs

L & O small full sprigs

P berries stems (16-17)

NOTE SHOWN: large full sprigs,

long full sprigs for bottom,

berries long stems for bottom

To cut multiple sprig shapes effectively on 12x12 mat

(or smaller mat) rotate to position the leaves, both short and

full, to use the cutting space to produce most shapes,

as can be seen in this example below.

NOTE ABOUT SPRIG QUANTITIES TO CUT:

Each maker will produce a unique version of the ball.

Cut 1 of each of the "unique" shapes: top sprigs disc,

bottom disc & indiv. sprigs, long sprigs for bottom.

Cut multiple sprigs from remaining varied shapes,

following notations in cut file regarding large full sprigs

(uses fewer just around middle). Trio sprigs are used

for top portion of ball, full sprigs are used for lower.

For the sample shown, two full or nearly full 12x12

sheets were used for each of the two greens.

2. Prepare the upper dome shape by bending back

on all perforation lines for panels and tabs.

3. Begin upper dome assembly by bending the first

two top segments slightly inward so that the straight

edge of second segment overlaps first segment

wedge tab to perforation line, and gluing seam.

4. Continue to join top edge seams as in Step 3,

until all four are joined.

5. Form the upper dome into a "tube" to align the

lower portion straight edges to overlap the opposite

tabs to perf lines and glue two-part seam.

6. At dome top, bend the wall tabs inward, bend

the top pentagon down into position with tab

perforations and glue in place.

To help attach top pentagon, invert the dome onto flat

surface and press from backside.

7. Prepare the lower dome shape by bending back on

all perforations for wall and bottom panels, and tabs/flanges.

8. Form the shape into a "tube" to align and join

the side seam.

9. Bend bottom tabs inward, bend bottom pentagon

"lid" down into place, adjust to align with tab perfs,

and join in place.

Invert the dome onto flat surface to apply pressure

to backside to secure seams in place.

10. Bend edge flanges of interior reinforcement "collar"

back.

11. Insert collar face down into opening of lower dome . . .

. . . rotate to align collar perforations with walls just

below valley "points" low angle where it fits snugly. 

Keep it parallel with bottom "lid",

and hold in place with pressure until secure.

12. Apply glue to the upper angled edge flange tabs

of lower dome, then align and fit together the first

two edges of one angle to straight edges of first point.

Use finger access window openings to apply pressure

to the seam being joined. Then continue to work

around the two halves, adjusting, aligning and

attaching each angle until all are fixed in place.

Keep in mind that this zigzag seam is a bit tricky

to join, as well as the face that the interior form

should be well hidden with the sprigs. If straight edges

overhang adjoined edges, simply trim as desired

to remove excess.

13. Add glue to underside edges of window opening

covers, place over openings to fully conceal them

and hold in place until secure.

14. With leaf shape placed face-up on work surface,

use a small to medium small stylus or similar tool

with a straight edge to score a "vein" line down the center

of each leaf of each sprig, ending just short . . .

. . . of leaf-to-stem end (don't score into stems)

as can be seen here.

15. Gently bend each leaf forward to add a slight

cup to each leaf, making it appear more realistic.

Also, add a bit of curl to stem, as desired.

To assist with attachment, bend a little bit back

at stem end.

16. Begin at bottom of form with bottom trio leaf set

and 2 separate leaf sprigs. Bend trio leaves back to

nearly right angle. Apply glue to backside of center

platform, then fit onto form bottom with

punch holes matched up, and attach securely.

17. Fit and attach separate leaves into half-circle

 "puzzle" cut outs.

18. Position and attach bottom "long" sprigs to bottom

platform inside of trio sprig stems . . .

. . . until enough are added to make a good transition

from trio sprigs length to longest sprig.

19. Continue to position and add "long" sprig units,

alternating colors randomly. Occasionally, position

and attach the stem end of a berries shape.

20. Continue in same manner to add varied size,

length and color sprigs to fill in around bottom

foliage . . .

. . . using longer sprigs at middle of form until nearly

to the transition top angles of . . .

. . . the pentagon walls.

When sprig or berries stems are tool too long and

may interfere with the sprigs hugging the next form

face, simply snip ends even with form angles.

Feel free to clip away berries stems (and leaves)

as well, before or after being attached.

21. Continue adding short stems of intermittent colors,

with berry stems interspersed, until 

the upper segments are filled in.

22. Prepare the top sprig unit by layering one on top

of the other, with star cutouts aligned in orientation so

that leaves overlap as little as usual. Glue together.

23. Position the top unit onto top panel, rotating so that

it relates to previously-placed sprigs. Make sure that

the top hole is centered within the star window,

then attach in place.

24. Cut a 24-26" length of twine for hanger. 

Fold in half and thread twine ends onto a long doll or 

upholstery needle - or fabricate a substitute needle

from floral wire. Thread twine cut ends through optional

decorative bead. At loop end tie a knot (to keep bead in place),

then leave a  1.5" - 2" loop at fold end. 

25. Insert needle through top hole,

through internal reinforcement collar hole, and . . .

. . . out the bottom end. 

Add a second "stop" bead, move bead close to 

bottom leaves/platform and tie a double knot

(or larger) to keep bead in place. Trim excess twine.

Here is the completed mistletoe ornament.