tomten stitching

There’s been a LOT of tomten busyness here in the Boot household.  I’ve written the instructions, Julian’s drawn the pattern pieces and designed the document’s layout.  And now I’m working on the Tomten class of 2008 - from my newly written pattern - to test out what I’ve written and see where I need to improve or change the instructions.  

I’ve stitched on the most exquisite woolen faces - thanks to my lovely blog friend Diane of Persnickety Quilts (if you’re not already a regular reader, do check out her beautiful quilts - her current blog header is one of my favourite!) who sent me a breathtaking box of wools and felts earlier this year.  This cream wool is of a quality and beauty I’ve not seen here in Australia so I’m taking my time with delving into this box of woolly dreams - I want every piece I sew to be worthy of Diane’s generosity.

A wee mouth and dash of a nose.

Beady little eyes - it’s amazing how moving them closer or further apart bestows such character upon their simple faces.

I attached the ribbon- at which point I might add, I completely ignored my own instructions - to my DETRIMENT!  When I wrote, 1/4 inch wide ribbon, I clearly knew what I was talking about.  Lord only knows what I was thinking when I bought this 3/4 inch wide ribbon - ’cause I don’t!  Now strangely enough, the red ribbon went on and in effortlessly despite it really being too wide for the job - the green ribbon was a complete disaster.  No matter how neurotically I pinned that bloody green ribbon, everytime I sewed up to the point of the tomten’s head and down the other side, the ribbon flung itself over to one edge, became completely caught up in the side seam and came out crooked and STUPID!  I unpicked each green beribboned tomten at least 4 times.  In the end, even Julian began to wonder if the ribbon was manufactured crooked!  However, the answer to this dilemna is FOLLOW THE PATTERN - and buy the right width ribbon :-)

Turn out, stuff, and my favourite bit - chalk up a pair of rosy cheeks with a pretty pastel.  

Now they just need to be stitched shut.  And I’m off to buy some different ribbon.