Christmas is still 4 months away, but it is never too early to begin that special needlepoint gift – a personalized needlepoint Christmas ornament. My new design was inspired by metallic threads and a shimmering gold fabric I saw at JoAnn’s.
![FinishedGeorgia](https://www.needlepaint.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/finishedgeorgia.jpg?w=225)
The needlepoint canvas section is a 2.5 x 10 inch band to done in a variety of stiches selected from one of my favorite reference books, Jo Ippolito Christensen’s The Needlepoint Book.
![Thestitches](https://www.needlepaint.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/thestitches.jpg?w=300)
- Red ornament – horizontal brick stitch
- Green ornament – diagonal plait stitch
- Yellow ornament – slanted Gobelin variation
- Light blue ornament – vertical beaty
- Pink ornament – Parisian stripe with 2 shades of pink
- Orange ornament – Byzantine stitch
- Dark blue ornament – pavilion diamonds
- Background – reversed mosaic
- Lettering and ornament tops – continental stitch
The finished canvas is sewn onto a 6 x 11 inch piece of fabric. (Layout is shown below.) Trim the canvas, leaving a ½ inch edge and fold under as shown below. I got carried away with trim and used a 1/8- inch gold ribbon. (If you don’t use a narrow ribbon for trim, the canvas should be bound as described in my blog on Needlepoint Napkin Rings.)
![Layout](https://www.needlepaint.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/layout.jpg?w=300)
![Assembly4](https://www.needlepaint.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/assembly4.jpg?w=300)
![Assembly1](https://www.needlepaint.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/assembly1.jpg?w=300)
Sew narrow hem at bottom of the fabric and place trim at top. (Optionally the top can be finished with a narrow hem.) With right sides together sew the 6-inch edges of the ornament together along the end of the worked needlepoint. Trim seam to ¼ inch and turn.
![Assembly2](https://www.needlepaint.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/assembly2.jpg?w=300)
Gather the bottom tightly to close and stuff the ornament with a polyester fill or other light weight filler.
![Assembly3](https://www.needlepaint.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/assembly3.jpg?w=219)
Gather top, attach a hanger, and a bow at the bottom. Your Christmas ornament is ready to hang for 2011 and for many more holiday seasons to come!
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