Bright felt ornaments go together in a snap - Christmas tree's ornaments

Sunset, Dec, 1989

Bright felt ornaments go together in a snap One of the joys of Christmas is creating ornaments to give as gifts or hang from your tree. But who has time to make them? Unlike some projects, these felt decorations are quick and easy to assemble. In fact, they're so simple that children can join in the fun. You can make dozens in a few hours; materials for five ornaments cost about $6.

Use felt scraps you have on hand, or buy 9- by 12-1/2-inch felt rectangles from a fabric store. For best results, use craft glue when assembling the shapes.

Cut out a large number of 1/2-inc-wide strips in various colors. One rectangle yields enough strips for one ornament.

To make a circle, tightly roll a strip from one end (see diagram A); add occasional dabs of glue within the roll for strength. When you reach the strip's end, begin a new color by gluing the beginning of a second strip against the end of the first (do not overlap strips). Add strips and colors until the circle reaches the desired size; glue end to secure. For a spiral, roll two different-colored strips together.

For a two-color rectangle, glue two strips of different colors together and fold accordion-style (see diagram B); glue the strips in place with each pleat. Make a triangle the same way, but gradually increase the size of the folds.

Glue circles, triangles, and rectangles together to create different shapes; let glue dry. The make a thread loop in the top of each ornament for hanging.