Gemstone Ornaments
Finishing Instructions

Materials needed:

• stiff posterboard or mat board
• needlepunch
• backing fabric
• cording
• matching sewing thread
• white glue (Tacky, Sobo, etc.)

Use the ornament shape template as a pattern to cut the following:

• 2 pieces of stiff posterboard or mat board.
• 3 or 4 layers of needlepunch (a dense type of "batting" used for quilting/quilted clothing and found in quilt shops). You can use other kinds of padding if desired.

Enlarge the ornament shape template by one half inch on all sides. Use this to cut a piece of backing fabric.

1. Trim one piece of stiff board so that it is slightly smaller than the original template (approximately 1/16 inch trim).
2. Dot this with glue and place 2-3 layers of padding on it, dotting a bit of glue on each layer. Trim the padding so that it is the same size as the stiff board.
3. Trim the canvas to 2/3 inch beyond your stitching (continental stitch outline for canvas) or the drawn template (surface embroidery). Attach to the padded board according to the instructions below for the specific shape of the ornament.

Circle (June Pearl) -- Using matching sewing thread (doubled), stitch a running stitch halfway between the cut edge of the canvas and the continental stitch outline. Center the ornament on the padding. Pull up the running stitches so that the canvas is gathered on the back side and knot securely. No matter what you do, this will not be tight. Lift the gathered edge up a bit, insert the tip of the glue bottle and squeeze some glue under the gathered edge. Press the edge to the board with your fingers, holding it until it is somewhat set (or you can secure it with clothespins.

Pear Shape (July Ruby) -- Curved edge follow the same running stitch procedure as for the circle shape. Straight edges after you have glued the curved edge to the stiff board, run a thin line of glue and glue the straight edges to the board. At the top, you will need to clip the canvas in about 3 places in order to maintain the small tight curve.

Marquis Shape (August Peridot) -- Stitch a running stitch as you did for the circle and pear shapes as follows. Begin at the top point, stitch one half of the shape ending at the bottom point. Work the running stitch on the opposite side of the ornament with a new length of thread. When you pull up the running stitches, you may need to clip a small "V" out of the canvas at the points to eliminate excess canvas causing a "lump". Glue the canvas edge to the board as explained in the circle shape directions.

Ogee Shape (September Sapphire) -- Follow the same running stitch procedure as for the circle shape, but do this in two steps. Begin the running stitch at the top of the ornament, stitch one side, and end at the bottom of the ornament. Repeat for the other side of the ornament. You may need to clip a small "V" out of the canvas in the tightly curved areas at the top and bottom of the shape. Glue the canvas edge to the board as explained in the circle shape directions.

Pear/Teardrop Shape (October Opal) -- Follow the instructions for the Pear Shape.

Rectangle Shape (November Topaz) - There is no shape template. Take your completed ornament to the closest Xerox machine. Make a copy and use the Xerox copy as your pattern to cut the mat board and backing materials. Glue the canvas edge to the mat board, cutting out "Vs" at the corners to eliminate bulk. Repeat with the backing piece.

Square Shape (December Turquoise) -- There is no shape template. Follow the instructions for the Rectangle Shape.

Heart Shape (February Amethyst) -- There is no shape template. Follow the instructions for the Rectangle Shape to make a pattern for the mat board and backing materials. Follow the instructions for the Marquis Shape to assemble the ornament.

Diamond Shape (March Aquamarine) --  Follow the instructions for the Rectangle Shape above.

Irregular Polygon (April Diamond) --  Use the ornament template to cut the mat board and backing materials. Follow the instructions for the Rectangle Shape above to assemble the ornament.

4. Follow the same procedure for the back of the ornament. Trim the board, glue one layer of padding onto it and trim. Attach the backing fabric to the board following the same general method as you did for your canvas according to the shape of your ornament.

Option 1 - Decorative Cording with Separate Ornament Hanger

1. Make the ornament hanger by gluing a loop of narrow ribbon or fine twisted cord at the top center of the ornament back.
2. Using matching thread, whip stitch or slip stitch the two sides of the ornament together. Be sure to leave a little space to tuck in the start and end of your cording.
3. Make a twisted cord (if you follow the link,scroll down the page to find the twisted cord directions) using the same thread as your ornament or threads of your choice. Another option is to purchase decorative cording. Using matching thread, sew the cording to the edge of the ornament, tucking in the ends and fastening securely.

Option 2 - Decorative Cording with Continuous Ornament Hanger

1. Using matching thread, whip stitch or slip stitch the two sides of the ornament together. Be sure to leave a little space to tuck in the start and end of your cording.
2. Make a twisted cord (if you follow the link,scroll down the page to find the twisted cord directions) using the same thread as your ornament or threads of your choice. Be sure that the finished length of twisted cord allows for a large hanger loop. Another option is to purchase decorative cording. Using matching thread, sew the cording to the edge of the ornament until you reach the center top of the ornament. Loop the cording to use as the ornament hanger (see Ruby Ornament picture) and secure the two lengths of cording to each other at the bottom of the loop using tiny stab stitches. Complete sewing the cording to the edge of the ornament, tucking in the ends and fastening securely.