project: christmas unicorn felt ornament

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When I started the Craft a Song of Christmas series, I promised that there would be both new and traditional songs featured, and while this one is a fresh song this year, it's sure to become a traditional. Well, maybe not. But it will be for me. I give you, the Christmas Unicorn.


Did you listen to all 12 minutes and 28 seconds? When I first heard Sufjan Stevens' new song, I knew it would become an ornament here on my blog. There's just so much crazy awesome in the song!

Now, if you've been paying attention and clicking musical links during this series, you may have noticed quite a few are for Sufjan songs...and there will be more. I make no apology for for my obsessive devotion completely healthy, non-creepy admiration for him and his music. A few years back, Christmas made me sad. I can't even say what it was about it, because I still loved the celebration of Jesus' birth, but I felt melancholy and not joyful. Sufjan's Songs for Christmas changed that, and I began to soak up the lyrics of each carol and embrace the crazy things that make each of us the Christmas Unicorn. Thanks, Mr. Stevens for helping me cherish everything about this season!



Now, let's make an ornament! Here's what you need:

Wool Blend Felt (I used BenzieBazaar felt - see note below)
Embroidery Floss (I used DMC 151, 347, 168, B5200, 937 and 310)
Needle
Scissors
Pinking or Scallop Shears (optional)
Christmas Unicorn Pattern PDF

A Note on Wool Blend Felt: This December, all of my felt projects are using felt provided by BenzieBazaar. I am seriously smitten with this felt! It's almost, almost as lovely as 100% wool, but at a fraction of the cost. By purchasing the Glitter and Glass collection, plus a small piece of Purple and Seaside, you'll have all that you need to make all of the small felt projects this month (at least six ornaments and two gift toppers!).



Cut out all of the pieces as shown. I used a scallop scissors on the smaller backing piece for extra unicorn magic, but that's optional.



Embroider the details onto the unicorn head and wreath piece. You can stitch the bow and berries a bit freehand, but I recommend following the pattern for the unicorn's face.



Layout the pieces like you see here, then start stitching the layers down, removing pieces and replacing them as you go. Sometimes it helps to replace everything with each new layer so that you are still making sure that they fit properly.



After all the pieces are stitched down, use red embroidery floss to stitch the striped details onto the horn.




Stitch the smaller backing onto the larger backing using tiny running stitch and floss that matches the back. In areas where the unicorn overlaps the edge, take stitches behind the ornament so that everything in securely attached, doesn't show on the front, but still looks uniform on the back.




Stitch a hanger through the back layer of felt, then tie it with an overhand knot and trim the ends. Your Christmas Unicorn is ready to grace the tree!



PS: The thing I'm most excited about this December? Even more than the Christmas day celebrations? Seeing Sufjan in Chicago, singing along with Christmas Unicorn, and even more so, with traditional songs about Jesus...it's gonna be a good night!