DIY Pom Pom Making

Pom poms say 70's to me throughout the year but around the holidays they just seem festive and fun. They can be snowflakes, ornaments, jumbo, tiny and any color.  Last year I made a few large turquoise ones for my tree. This year I started an Advent Branch, making a pom pom for each day before Christmas. Here is how you make pom poms with the pom pom maker, which makes life much easier.

I have to say when I first bought this instrument I was completely dumb founded.  And this past year a friend borrowed it and it confused her as well.  So I decided to break it down for you and take photos of each step.

1. Buy a Clover Pom Pom maker.  I bought mine at Purl Soho.

2. The maker opens up 2 ways.  Open up so both sides pull over to one side.  Wrap yarn around colored plastic piece until yarn becomes almost flush with both flat pieces.

3. Now that yarn is wrapped around both sides get your scissors.  Note I am showing photos from two different types of yarns.  The turquoise yarn is Cascade Magnum and nice and fluffy!  The purple below is Madeline Tosh, that has a nice varigated dyed look.

4. Cut yarn. 

5. Then cut a long piece of yarn, about 18" and pull the yarn thru the pom pom maker.  See where the yarn was just cut thru?  That is where you are wrapping this new piece of yarn around.  This is going to keep your short yarns of the pom together.

6. Pull tight and make a knot.  Then pull apart the pom pom maker.

Last step you need to trim and fluff the yarn.

Now you can trim the tree or make your own Advent branch. 

Happy Pom Making!

Christmas Fabrics are Here.

I have to say it bothered me a little that the day after Halloween the Christmas tree was up in a local restaurant and some stores were already decking the halls.  Too soon! Today I received three Christmas catalogs in the mail and Thanksgiving is next week.  I am working on Christmas stocking samples for a holiday workshop so I think it is safe to say the holiday season is upon us.  I posted some of my holiday napkins in my etsy shop so if you are interested in purchasing some you can click on this link.

If you are interested in runners or making a special order of napkins or runners, I am currently working on table linens in these fabrics:

I also do have other designs but in smaller quantities.  If you are looking for something in a certain color or motif please ask!

Everything is 100% cotton and pre-washed for softness and shrinkage.

Please feel free to email me if you have a request. Now it's time to get sewing!

tracey@traceytoole.com

I love Christmas!

Thanks and happy Monday!

New class! Holiday Workshop; Make some ornaments!

I am so excited about this class coming up on December 9th.

And I am so excited to start making samples. I love Christmas! So much that my sister calls me Tracey Christmas.  I love Secret Santa, love leaving cookies out for Santa, love the real Christmas Tree, the list goes on.  On December 9th I will be teaching a Holiday Craft Workshop at Purl Soho.  Don't worry if you don't know how to sew because I will be teaching hand sewing and machine sewing techniques.  We will be making three projects; a felt star tree topper, a felt snowflake ornament and a fabric stuffed bird ornament. You can choose whatever colors and fabrics you want to adorn your tree with. Or why not  hang the bird as a desk ornament. It just doesn't have to be for the holidays!

Photos from the Purl Bee website.

Are you a Christmas fanatic like me?

What is your favorite part?

Christmas Fabrics, I love em!

Started working on new Christmas items, napkins, placemats and cat nip toys. I love the holiday season and my new holiday fabrics have that bit of retro feel. I hope they make you feel cheery too!