A few years ago I used this wonderful idea from Kreinik to stuff clear Christmas balls with metallic threads. The instructions are no longer there, but essentially you stuff a clear ornament with metallics. If it splits in half, cover the split with glued on metallic ribbon.
I used the ornaments you fill from the top.
Because my son & his friends are doing my house decorating tomorrow, I need to do a bunch more of these this weekend.
I started by buying 30 2 1/4″ plastic ornaments at Hobby Lobby. They are patterned not smooth to give me a different look. Then I went through my metallic stash and put into a basket all the threads I wasn’t planning on using.
Then the fun begins. I pick similar colors, unscrew the top of the ornament and stuff the thread inside using a chopstick. To do this I unwind yards of thread, wad it up and then stuff.
I’ve averaged using 4 full and partial packages per ball, so between 40 and 70 yards of thread.
These will be going deep inside the tree near the inner lights to pick up and magnify the light. If they will be on the outside of the tree think about using pretty overdyes. If I run out of metallics I’m doing that next.
In doing this I discovered some great tips:
- Thicker threads are easier to stuff than thinner threads.
- Use spools, cards or uncut skeins. Cut skeins have too many ends.
- Colors don’t have to match exactly; there is fun in variety.
- Using a basket or bin is great to control your thread packages.
Besides hanging them on the tree, these could be gifts, party favors, or, with a nametag & tied onto a napkin, place cards for Christmas dinner.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
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