Christmas Carousel with The Blue Flower

This class is an optional paid part of the Jingle Ball.  You will need an entrance ticket to the Jingle Ball as well as a class ticket to attend.  Jingle Ball tickets and class tickets go on sale on October 17th.  Class previews are so you can see what classes will be available for you to purchase on that date.  
All classes will be recorded so that paid students may access them for up to 30 days after the Ball concludes.
  • CLASS:  Christmas Carousel with The Blue Flower
  • TIME:  CLICK HERE TO SEE THE EVENT SCHEDULE
  • COST:  $35 / $110
  • AVAILABLE:  PDF worldwide, KITS U.S. only
  • TICKET TYPES:  PDF Only, Full Kit
  • DURATION: 1.5 hours

This design was inspired by a carousel at the Dallas zoo, which I used to visit when I lived there. The design includes eight warm-weather animals, all decked out for winter weather. But what brings the carousel theme to life is the stand designed by Matt Twist. The stand will hold all eight designs (plus scissors), and will even spin for the carousel effect! The stand is ready for your own finishing, with paint or stain, in any color you like. And since the ornaments are attached to the stand with magnets you can easily swap them out for something different during the year.

You can stitch up the animals before class, or just follow along with me (and my lovely assistant Robert) on the day. Then, if you’d like to take more time, you’ll have 30 days to access the video after the Jingle Ball. I’ll also be sending out detailed finishing notes after the Jingle Ball so you can have those as a reference.

Note on schedule – I will be traveling from October 16-20 so kits will be shipping starting October 21.


SKILLS REQUIRED: cross stitches, straight stitches, French knots and hand sewing.


CLASS OPTIONS: pdf and kit.

Option 1 - PDF only ($35) Available Worldwide – you will receive the pdf chart and a supplies list. You’ll be able to stitch your ornaments and bring them to class so we can go through the finishing. There may not be enough time to complete the finishing process for an ornament during class, particularly if you have any questions or want to just watch and learn, but I’ll go through the whole process so you can see it.

With the pdf class purchase you’ll also receive a link or code to purchase the wooden stand directly from Matt Twist. This will allow you to pre-order the stand directly from Matt. The stand was designed specifically for this project so we wanted to give you the option of purchasing them. Depending on demand the stand may not arrive until well after the Jingle Ball, but you will have a chance to purchase them before the general release. These will not be available for general sale until next year, so this is your chance to get one for your ornament set.

This class calls for the following supplies:

  • A 14x25 piece of 32/16 fabric. (If you’d like a different count of fabric, this will change the amount you need.) There are multiple individual designs, so they could be laid out different ways depending on your preference. You don’t need too much fabric in between each design but at least 2-3 inches is preferable.

  • Backing fabric to coordinate with your fabric and with the stand color

  • Sewing thread

  • Threads – a full list is included in the pdf chart you will receive, along with a list of (approximate) DMC substitutions.

  • Fill material of your choice. The model uses wool roving, because it’s not too heavy for the stand, but you could easily use polyfill. I’d stay away from anything too heavy, though.

  • A chopstick or pencil to pack your fill material

  • The wooden stand (if you want to use it) from Matt Twist, finished as desired

  • Magnetic clasps (if using the wooden stand)

  • Ribbon embellishment

  • Needle, sewing thread and scissors


Option 2 – Full Kit ($100) US shipping only – you will receive a printed chart and the supplies needed to stitch the eight ornaments, plus the unfinished wood stand. The kit will include instructions for finishing the stand (with paint or stain) according to your preference. The class will go over finishing the ornaments in detail. These kits will be ready to ship starting October 21, so you’ll have time to stitch the ornaments before class if you’d like to.

Included in your kit:

  • 32 count “Beanstalk” linen from Fiber On A Whim

  • DMC threads – 166, 471, 948, 3041, 3371, 3768, 3771, 3830, 3865

  • DMC Color Variations thread - 4124

  • Weeks Dye Works threads – Winter Wheat (2), Pecan, Roasted Figs, Kris’ Bon Bon, Glacial Melt

  • Classic Colorworks thread – Persimmon

  • Cottage Garden Threads – Van, Candlestick

  • Roxy Floss Co threads – Green Thumb

  • Plaid backing fabric

  • Wool roving for stuffing

  • Embellishment ribbon

  • Magnetic attachment

  • Unfinished wood stand

  • Mini craft level

In addition, you’ll need the following supplies:

  • Sewing thread

  • A waxer (not required but helpful)

  • Paint or stain for wood stand

  • A chopstick or pencil to pack your fill material

  • Scissors and needle

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