Hand stitched Christmas cards for adults and older children

Cards using patchwork techniques.

1. Prairie points or Somerset Folded Patchwork.

Cut small squares of plain and patterned fabric – about 2 inches (5 or 6cms) square. Fold in half to form a rectangle.
Bring the folded edge corners down to meet in the centre to form an arrowhead and iron.
Place four points together to form a square, stitch into place on a scrap of background fabric, then arrange two rings of eight overlapping points as in picture.
Mount in a card with a circular aperture with double-sided sticky tape.

2. Prairie point Christmas tree.

Cut five squares of fabric, one 3cm, one 4cm, one 5cm and two 6cm.
Fray the edges of the fabric squares slightly.
Fold into prairie points and iron.
Arrange as shown and attach to a piece of background fabric with beads and/or sequins.
Mount in a card with a rectangular aperture.

You may find this design needs a thin piece of wadding the same size as the aperture of the card to make it stand out a little.

3. Traditional Patchwork patterns.

Iron whatever fabrics you want to use onto Bondaweb or Wonderweb so that small pieces can be cut and used without fraying.
Arrange shapes into your chosen pattern and carefully iron onto a background fabric.
Stitch across the joins with any decorative stitches you like and embellish with further stitching, couched threads or beads.

Click on the pictures above to see larger versions.