How To: Christmas in July Felt Candle Tutorial

I know, I know.... it's the middle of Summer (and yes, it even feels like it here in the UK!) but it is July and that means only one thing..... Christmas In July!

This is an American 'thing' that's become quite big, especially for us designers and makers of handmade goods.

For the last couple of years I've taken part in the the Etsy-wide Christmas In July sale and this year I've also teamed up with a lovely bunch of ladies for a tutorial link-up, run by the fab Deby at So Sew Easy and this is what I'll be showing you how to make:

You will need:

1 Piece of White Felt 10cm x 18cm

2 Pieces of Yellow Felt 2cm x 3cm

2 Pieces of Orange Felt 3cm x 4cm

Seed Beads

Ribbon

Embroidery thread to match the felt

Pins, Scissors, Templates

Instructions:

1. Using 2 strands of yellow embroidery thread, sew one yellow flame onto one orange flame, with a simple running stitch. Repeat with the other yellow & orange flame.

2 & 3. Place the ribbon in between your orange flame pieces (with the yellow flames on the outside of your sandwich) so that the loop is at the top and the tails are both at least an inch below the bottom of the flame sandwich.

4. Sew up the orange flame pieces using 2 strands of orange embroidery thread. Again use a running stitch.

5. Fold over one of the short ends of the white felt rectangle, about an inch in and pin the ribbon to one end.

6. Sew the ribbon into place with a couple of stitches. These won’t be visible when you are finished, so don’t worry about colour or neatness.

7. Then roll up the white felt piece as tightly as possible. Pin it together to stop it unravelling while you sew up the edge with a single strand of white thread. Sew it using a neat whip stitch. Then tie off the thread, but don’t cut it.

8. Then using a very slim needle, thread seed beads along the white thread until you have enough to wrap around the candle in a spiral. Wrap the seed bead thread around the candle in a spiral and sew the end of the thread tightly to the bottom of the candle. 

WELL DONE - YOU HAVE A CANDLE CHRISTMAS DECORATION!

This tutorial is for personal use only, but please feel free to make as many of these candle decorations for friends and family as you would like. If you would like to reference this tutorial anywhere online or in person, please feel free to borrow a picture, but please do link back here for the full tutorial.

Happy Christmas (In July!)