Secret Santa – Finishing Template
Thank you for stitching this somewhat silly, a touch of sparkly, with a dash of secret… series!
By now you know the big secret (you get a portion of the 9th Santa on each of the 8 releases!) & are ready to finish!
I’ve provided a template which is the exact size that was used in the pictured finishes. You just need to grab some matboard, cardboard, batting, ribbon & all of those extra little bits to fully-finish your series!
Please follow my other Flat-Finishing tutorials for guidance on setting up your cut boards, lacing & stitching front to back. Print out this page & adjust as necessary so that the dimensions of the template measure what it should be.
I chose to use ribbon for a hanger & add a secondary bow—it is just put in place with a coordinating ball head pin.
You will need to cut 18 pattern pieces in all to complete all 9 ornaments. I would trace this onto a piece of cardboard & cut to use as a template. This will make your tracing more consistent.
Holly Beads
The ladies at Just Another Button Company designed a great new bead to coordinate with my series. Be sure to order them through your local or online shop. They are also available at www.justanotherbuttoncompany.com—10474.G—I’ve provided a few photos to show you how they are attached.
Grab some small red seed beads – I had these red beads in my stash from a former craft shop purchase.
Anchor 2 strands of coordinating red thread (I used the red that was in the series) on the inside of the laced stitching with a knot. Push the needle & thread through the linen so that the point of the needle comes out at the bottom tip of the linen.
Thread the needle through a seed bead, next through the Holly Bead, & finally through another seed bead.
Snug the beads up to the point of the ornament.
Thread the needle back through the Holly Bead and the 1st seed bead. I pushed the threaded needle through the linen close to where you previously came through in the 1st step.
Knot the thread through the linen a few times & trim.
I attached the holly bead to the linen side so that when I laced the front to the back & attached cording, the cording would run behind the bead.
Have fun finishing & be sure to show your finishes using the hashtag — #secretsanta.
Enjoy the stitch,
Cathy, Hands On Design
Hi cathy,
is this pattern released after the Nashville needle market? just found your blog and this post! great website too!
michelle xx
Thank you Michelle – yes, this series kicks off at Nashiville – contact your shop to order the series!
I heard a rumor that there’s a trick to getting all 9 santas on 1/2 yard of fabric. True? Where can I find the secret to the secret santas?
Thank you Michelle – yes, this series kicks off at Nashiville – contact your shop to order the series!
Hi Helen – I responded in an email to you – I hope that you received it! -c
What floss did you use to make the cording for the edges?
Amanda- I believe that I used 3811 – it closely matched the linen.
-c