Angel Delight

You can download a pdf copy of the original magazine pages for this project here, Angel Delight

Note: These angels and stars make lovely decorations, but are not suitable for a baby or small child, because of the buttons.

Cutting Instructions

The materials and cutting instructions provided will make enough angels and stars for both the wreath and the garland.

1. Carefully cut 7in wide strips of pink stripe, star and plain pink fabric, joining the fabric as necessary to make a 7 x 54in long strip of each one.
2. Using tracing paper, make card templates of all the pattern pieces on the pattern sheet, except the squares.
3. Carefully cut 28 rectangles 6 x 5in; cutting 18 from check fabric, six from striped fabric and four from stars fabric.
4. Carefully cut ten 6in x 9in rectangles from cream fabric. Cut ten 4 1/2in x 6 1/2in rectangles from white fabric and cut five 4 1/2in x 6 1/2in rectangles from the wadding.
5. Trace 14 large squares and ten small squares onto the paper side of the Bondaweb. Press onto the wrong side of a mixture of fabrics and cut out.

Figure 1: Plait the fabric tubes

Angel Wreath

1. Cut three strips of wadding 7 x 54in, joining if necessary, and pin to the wrong side of each of the long fabric strips. With right sides together, fold in half lengthwise. Stitch across the top and down the side, through all layers, to form a tube.
2. Turn right side out and pin the three open ends together. Plait the three strips as in Figure 1, and sew the closed ends together at the bottom. Sew the three open ends together, turning in the raw edges. Bend the plait into a circle, overlapping the ends, and stitch through all layers.
3. From the check fabric cut a strip 3 1/2 x 12 1/2in. With right sides together, sew.across the top and down the side to form a tube. Turn right side out. Neaten the raw edge and stitch to the centre back of the wreath, top and bottom, tensioning it to hold the circle shape.

Making the Stars

1. To make the four stars, draw around the star template onto the right side of three check rectangles and one striped rectangle. Take four of the large fabric squares with Bondaweb backing, and press one onto the centre of each star. Applique around the edges of the squares with a straight stitch to secure in place.
2. Place an appliqued star onto a corresponding rectangle of fabric, wrong sides together. Stitch on the drawn line on the right side, leaving a small gap as shown by the dotted line on the pattern. Stuff the star and hand stitch the gap to close.
3. Using pinking shears, trim around each star about 1/4in from the drawn line. Stitch a button onto the centre of each star, through all layers.

The Angel

1. Use the templates to draw an angel and two legs onto the wrong side of a cream rectangle. Place on top of another cream rectangle, right sides together. Stitch on the drawn line, leaving a gap as indicated by the dotted line on the pattern.
2. Cut out, adding a good 1/4in seam. Clip the curves and turn right side out. Stuff the legs and body. Slip the legs inside the angel and hand stitch to close the gap.
3. Sew on beads for eyes, and embroider the mouth and nose using one strand of thread as in Figure 2. Carefully apply a little blusher to the cheeks using a cotton bud. It is best to use very little blusher to start with and build up the colour bit by bit.

Figure 2: Embroider the face

The Dress

1. Press a large fabric square with Bondaweb backing to the centre right side of a 6 x 5in check rectangle.
2. Applique around the edge with a straight stitch and sew a button onto the centre. Turn, press and stitch a double %in seam on the wrong side of the 6in edges, to create the neck edge and hem.
3. Place the appliqued rectangle onto a corresponding check piece, right sides together. Stitch down V2infrom the neck edge on either side, leaving a gap of 1in for the armholes. Sew down the side seams and press open.
4. Run a row of gathering stitch around the neck edge. Slip the dress over the head and pull the arms through. Gather the neck edge and fasten off.

The Wings

1. Draw around the wing template onto the wrong side of a white rectangle. On the right side of the wings, press a small square of the fabric with Bondaweb backing, using the picture as a guide. Applique around the edges with a straight stitch.
2. Place the appliqued wings right sides together on top of a corresponding white rectangle. Place a piece of wadding underneath and stitch on the drawn line through all layers, leaving a gap for turning as indicated on the pattern.
3. Trim about 1/4in from the stitched line, clip the curves and turn right side out. Hand stitch to close the gap and stitch onto to the angel's back.

To Finish

1. Cut a strip of fabric 8 x 1/2in. Fray the edges, tie into a bow and stitch to the top of the angel's head.
2. Refer to the picture for positioning. Attach the four stars and the angel to the wreath. Make a hanging loop from ribbon and stitch to the back of the wreath

Angel Garland

1. Draw around the star template onto the right side of three check rectangles, one striped rectangle and one star rectangle. You will also need five large fabric squares with Bondaweb backing for the applique. Make up the five stars in the same way as for the Angel Wreath.
2. Use the templates to draw four angels and eight legs onto the wrong side of four cream rectangles. Make up the four angels in the same way as for the Angel Wreath. Add the facial features as before. See Figure 2.
3. To make the dresses, press a large fabric square with Bondaweb backing to the centre right side of two check 5 x 6in rectangles, one stripe 5 x 6in rectangle and one star 5 x 6in rectangle. Hem and gather as for the Angel Wreath. Dress the angels.
4. For the wings, draw around the wing template onto the wrong side of a white rectangle. On the right side of the wings, press a small square of the fabric with Bondaweb backing. Applique around the edges with a straight stitch. Assemble and attach the wings as before.
5. Cut four strips of mixed fabric 8 x 1/2in. Fray the edges, tie into a bow and stitch to the top of each angel's head.
6. Join the four angels and five stars together, using buttons stitched through the angel hands and the points of the stars.
7. Make two hanging loops from ribbon and attach to the back of each end of the garland. Neaten the hanging loops by stitching a button to the bottom of the ribbon.

Or Why Not Try...

Using the pattern sheet templates, and star or angel instructions above, make individual Christmas decorations. Add a loop of ribbon and hang them on your Christmas tree, use them to decorate a special parcel, or give them as Christmas party favours.

First published in Popular Patchwork Christmas 2007