Celebrate
the Nutcracker Ballet (or a young dancer)
with this “sweet” dimensional
ornament.
Build youthful ballerina front and back layered “bodies”
with vellum
layered wings on clear base,
then use torso band and top hexagon cap with
hang-hole to adhere to cello-wrapped regular size
peppermint candy stick (candy
stick should be
approx. 5.75” tall x .5”
to .625” diameter; file includes
shapes to prepare a substitute “stick” tube
in
short or full-size lengths.)
Snowflake tutu skirt ring is pleated then gathered
on
threaded twine, glued around torso.
(Model also includes triple layer gathered
tulle
netting underskirt.)
Ornament as shown measures
approx. 6.6” tall x 3.75
wide.
NOTE: Dancer front and back assembles can
alternatively be glued back to
back with twine hang loop
sandwiched between, omitting the candy stick.
ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A silhouette base front (reversed from assembly shapes)
B torso/head (shows thru as arms)
C (*shape was modified) left leg/tights
D right leg/tights
E face, hair, hair band
F leotard base (shows thru as straps), overlay
G & H right & left slippers and ribbons)
I eye & mouth contrast insets
J wing clear base with vellum overlays
K attachment band for candy stick
L snowflake skirt ring
M silhouette base back (reversed from assembly shapes)
N torso/head (shows thru as arms)
O (*shape was modified) right leg/tights
P right leg/tights
Q hair, hair band
R leotard base back (shows thru as straps)
S leotard back overlay
T & U right & left slippers and ribbons)
Substitute shapes for candy stick:
V tube base
W interlocking reinforcement inserts
X attachment cap (for BOTH candy stick, alt. tube)
B) insert and attach eye contrast, mouth contr. shapes;
C) overlay hair with band on face shape;
D) overlay slippers over ribbon bases;
E) overlay leotard front onto base;
F) align and attach head assembly, slippers
assemblies, leotard assembly onto main silhouette.
3. Press assembly under a heavy flat weight
until dry (several hours or overnight) to help
the shape dry flat, avoid warping or curling.
4. Assemble the dancer back shapes:
A) align and attach torso/head, tights to base;
B) overlay hair with band on head portion of torso shape;
C) overlay slippers over ribbon bases;
assemblies, leotard assembly onto main silhouette.
5. Press assembly under a heavy flat weight
until dry (several hours or overnight) to help
the shape dry flat, avoid warping or curling.
6. Using an appropriate clear adhesive, position
and attach bottom smaller "leaves" over clear base
where edges align, then position and attach
top larger "leaves". If desired, cut duplicate "leaf"
shapes for the reversed side of clear base.
back dancer assembly where "tab" portion of
clear base fits within the leotard back neckline,
and centered, then attach in place with clear adhesive.
Position the band behind the front dancer assembly
9. Prepare the attachment band by adding back
curl using a round tool such as a pencil.
at "straight" side edges portion of torso,
and attach securely just at vertical center,
to allow band to wrap around candy stick.
10. For candy stick version, prepare a hanging loop
and knot the ends.
11. Prepare the top cap by bending back the six edge
tabs. Insert the loop end of hanger UP through
back from underside, thread bead onto loop if desired.
Slide knot up behind cap backside, loop down to touch
cap hex panel.
of cap and tabs. Position cap over top of candy stick
(cello wrapped recommended) and hold in place
until firmly attached.
13. For ALTERNATIVE paper "stick", prepare the tube
shape by bending back on all perforation lines for
tube segments, top and bottom tabs and end caps.
. . . slide down fully into position inside tube.
Bend top tabs inward, hex cap into place.
Form the shape into a tube to bring straight side
edge to overlap opposite long flange perf line
and glue in place.
NOTE that the symmetry of the tube shape will allow
the shape to be pressed flat to apply fingertip pressure
along seam to secure the seam.
Re-configure to rube shape. At "bottom" end,
bend tabs inward, cap hexagon shape down into place,
adjust so that cap edges align with wall/tab perf lines,
and glue in place.
Prepare the "strut" interior reinforcement by
interlocking the slots, then . . .
. . . sliding the two "legs" together until tops and
bottoms are even.
Bend "top" tabs and hex cap out of the way,
insert strut reinforcement X into end of tube so that
the X ends it into angles of tube, then. . .
Adjust and glue securely in place.
Prepare hanger by cutting twine or ribbon approx.
20" length, folding in half and tying ends together
in a knot. (Model includes a flat wooden bead as
additional "stop" on bottom knotted end.
Thread loop end through long needle (upholstery
or doll making needle; or fabricate equivalent from
strong floral wire).
Insert needle from bottom end, through end hole,
up through center of tube while avoiding strut inside,
and out top end.
Thread top wood bead on if desired, then
remove needle.
14. Position and align candy stock behind front dancer
body assembly so that it matches head/torso/straight leg.
Hold in place while adjusting and wrapping attachment
band around stick, then . . .
. . . glue wrapped ends.
NOTE: if stick is cello wrapped, adhesive could also
be added above and below attachment band.
15. Position dancer back assembly in place on
back of stick, adjust so it aligns as closely as
possible with front assembly edges, then glue in place
to band and stick.
16. Prepare the snowflake tutu skirt by bending
and creasing pleats at partial perforations.
Bend the "long" perforations at center of long extensions
as MOUNTAIN folds, "short" perfs as VALLEY folds.
17. Thread a 22-24" length of perle cotton or twine
onto a blunt tapestry needle. Insert from front-side
through pair of holes on each side of "long" pleat
as shown. Pull through, leaving a 6-7" tail for tying,
then continue around the entire skirt ring.
18. When circuit is complete, tie a single overhand
knot, then cinch up temporarily.
(If NOT adding tulle underskirt, skip past next step.)
19. The model includes a triple layer of tulle netting.
If desired, cut a one-yard length x 6" width of netting "trim"
into three 1.75" strips. Layer and pin strips with top
straight edges even. Thread needle with strong thread
such as quilting thread or buttonhole thread, then . . .
. . . hand-gather across the width.
Position netting skirt around dancer with end edges
at center back. Adjust gathers evenly, with enough
at center back to hide cut edges, then tie
gather threads to hold ruffles. Slide underskirt
down slightly below "waist line", and glue top
edges in place to body front and back.
20. Slide snowflake skirt ring over loop and
head of dancer, and down into position at
waistline, with cinch twine at center back.
Cinch thread ends as tightly as desired,
then tie double knot and bow and trim excess
threads beyond desired streamer length.
Adjust pleats to best arrangement around
dancer waist/stick, then glue in place behind
twine cinching all around.
Here is the completed sugar plum fairy ornament.
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