Simple shapes compose this Santa Head,
with dimensional tiny rosette
"tassel"
that can be tied with twine
bow accent.
Mustache and beard are accented using
hand-applied blanket over-edge stitching.
(Separate substitute shapes also included
to omit the stitching if preferred.)
Structure allows card to be displayed as self-standing.
Card base back includes
perforation to allow it
to bend out of the way to reveal space for
message
plaque to be attached behind card front.
Measures approx. 5" wide x
6.625" long when folded
(fits into a 5x7 envelope.)
ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A card base front B card base back (with perforation)
C sentiment "label" D card base front back "cover"
F silhouette for assembling card front shapes
G beard shape H mustache shape
I face with eye cutouts
J hat fur shape K hat shape
L hat tassel rosette pleating strip with
front and back button discs
2. Position beard shape over the silhouette base
and match up the beard stitching holes over
the silhouette shape; attach in place.
needle will help make sure holes are aligned.
over the card front base and line up the
stitching holes over the inner holes on
card front. NOTE: the outer stitching holes
of base will fall near the edge of the beard edge.
Attach in place.
Use the sharp tool to align stitching holes.
4. Select and cut a long length of
the stitching "thread". The sample
uses black DMC perle cotton no.12.
Embroidery floss (6 strands as twisted in skein)
is another good choice.
Thread onto a blunt tapestry needle.
near the end of the stitching holes run that makes
best sense for the dominant hand of the stitcher -
right side in this case.
6. NOTE the stitching style for the beard imitates
a blanket stitch, but is actually a back stitch
where the needle will pass through some holes
more than once.
Begin the stitching run by inserting the needle
from backside up to front in the top-most hole
which is on the outer row, and . . .
. . . pull up slack.
7. Insert the needle downward through the next
hole on the outer row (through base only)
and pull up slack (pull up for each successive step
unless otherwise indicated).
from last hole stitched through that pierces beard,
then insert needle downward through the previous
hole that completed the first stitch in beard outline.
9. Continue in the same manner to complete
one of line stitches that fall at beard edge then
the next perpendicular stitch inward in sequence.
10. At the "space" where the mustache overlay will
be placed, the stitches are omitted, since they will
not show. The first section of stitches ends with
the beard edge stitch, then the thread moves across
the space on the backside then the stitching begins
again with the beard edge stitch.
11. Continue to stitch across bottom, skip
the second mustache overlap transition,
then complete the final stitches, ending with
the final beard edge stitch where the needle
will insert from front toward back.
12. On the backside, trim excess thread
with about a 1 inch tail, and anchor the tail
with a small piece of cello tape.
13. If a second length of thread is needed,
tie off first piece with tape and tie on new length
with tape, as can be seen on the backside
of the assembly in this image.
14. The mustache "applique" is blanket stitched
in a more conventional stitching pattern.
Thread a length of thread onto the blunt needle,
then select a starting place (recommended to be
away from any corners) and anchor the tail with
a small piece of thread on
the mustache shape backside.
from backside toward front and pull up slack.
16. Take a "whipstitch" - which is to say, insert
the needle in the next hole in same upward, back
to front direction. Then . . .
. . . before the thread is pulled up tight,
slip the needle through the loop.
Pull up the stitch only moderately tight,
to allow for the final connecting stitch to be made.
17. Continue the whipstitch plus inserting needle
through loop action to add stitching to the edge
of the mustache shape. NOTE that at the tips,
two stitches are taken through the same hole.
Endeavor to keep the top loop of each stitch
positioned at mustache shape edge as shown.
18. Complete the stitching circuit. Then when
the final hole has a stitch, imitate taking one more
stitch, except only slip the needle through . . .
. . . the loop of the beginning stitch.
(This image shows more clearly that the needle
is under the first "loop".)
endeavoring to have the first stitch appear
like all others, then . . .
backside, trim for a 1" tail, and anchor with
small piece of cello tape.
over the assembly, with tips lined up
with the silhouette base shape that is
still exposed, and attach in place.
20. To hide the stitching and anchor tape,
position and attach the card front back cover shape,
match up edges as precisely as possible,
and attach in place.
21. Prepare the card base back shape by bending
the top portion forward along the perforation line.
portion of the front card assembly, and attach
the two surfaces between perforation line and
top of hat. (If you look closely, you CAN see
the card front assembly under the left hand.)
to the inside of the card, on the backside of
the front panel.
24. Prepare the tassel rosette by pleating the strip,
working from the left edge (face up), bend the first
perforation line as a "valley" fold, then alternate
"mountain" and "valley" folds across the strip.
25. Identify the left end tab, then form the strip into
a "tube" to attach the tab in front of the first pleat
segment wall.
hot melt glue), place the rosette ring on the working
surface, and begin to gather the pleats into the center,
working slowly . . .
rosette eventually can be laid flat . . .
Apply glue around the center opening edges,
then quickly . . .
Immediately continue to force the pleating inward
to be as tight as possible, endeavoring to keep
the pleat spacing even all around.
27. Repeat the glue application to the backside
around the pleating opening, then position
and attach the backside button.
28. Thread a length of twine down and up again
through button holes, then tie a knot and bow.
29. Position and attach at top of hat.
Here is the completed stitched Santa card.
