Ebenezer Ornament Series

My Ebenezer Ornament Series is a set of heirloom hand-sewn ornament patterns which are inspired by the 1843 Victorian novella, A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. This hand sewn wool felt pattern series will feature the most memorable characters from the well-loved story.

Hashtag: #ebenezerornamentseries
Tag me! Love to see what you make in this series. Also tag #mmmcrafts and @mmmcrafts on IG.

SKILL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
(If you have completed my Twelve Days Ornaments, you are ready!)

PATTERNS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE:

Pattern No. 5 – Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come

This silent spectre is the third and final of three spirits sent by Marley in an effort to save the unrepentant curmudgeon, Scrooge. The climax of the novella comes as the spirit points silently toward a a neglected gravestone and Scrooge is terrified to realize it is his own! He begs this spirit to know if he might change his future, and we see as the spirit’s kind hand wavers that there is hope yet for Scrooge! This pattern includes the ghost figurine and also a bonus gravestone ornament. 

Purchase Yet To Come pattern  |  YTC Color Guide

Pattern No. 4 – Ghost of Christmas Present

The second of three spirits to appear to the hapless Scrooge, as foretold by Marley. This short-lived spirit is a cheerful giant, wearing a long, fur-trimmed robe and holding a magical torch with which he spreads Christmas peace and joy. He also features a holly crown, jeweled belt, and empty scabbard trimmed with a jingle bell and sprig of berries. The best part for Dickens devotees: Inside his robe are hidden the pitiable figures of Ignorance and Want!

Purchase Christmas Present pattern  |  Color Guide

Pattern No. 3 – Ghost of Christmas Past

The first of three spirits to visit the hapless Scrooge, as foretold by Marley. This strange candle-like youth/old man ghost with long white hair and a flowered tunic will take Scrooge on a spirit journey to his younger days. Mr Past here is sporting a crown of light, a snuffer hat tucked under his arm, and is holding a staff of fresh holly. 
Purchase Christmas Past pattern  |  Color Guide

Pattern No. 2 – Mr. Marley

Jacob Marley is Scrooge’s first nocturnal visitor in Dickens’ yuletide ghost story. He appears in the same garb that Scrooge always saw him wearing in life – pigtail, waistcoat, tights, and tasseled boots, with his spectacles pushed up on his forehead. His chin and head are bound in a folded kerchief, and he is wrapped in the long chain he forged in life, complete with wrought metal money boxes, padlock, key, and purse.
Purchase Mr. Marley pattern  |  Color Guide

Pattern No. 1 – Mr. Scrooge

Ebenezer Scrooge is the miserly protagonist in Dickens’ yuletide ghost story. He is sporting an embroidered, beaded, and sequined Victorian era dressing gown, night shirt and night cap, and holding a single ‘dip’, by which meager light he is peering into the penurious darkness of his chilly house. Little does he know, his night is about to get pretty interesting. (Bah! Humbug.)
Purchase Mr. Scrooge pattern  |  Benzie Color Guide

THIS PATTERN SERIES IS ONGOING! More patterns are to come in this series each year until it’s completed. Each new pattern will be released as soon as I complete it, and I will post about it on all my channels anytime that happens. The best way to keep current is to follow me on my IG or FB feeds and subscribe to my newsletter.

WHEN WILL THE SERIES BE COMPLETED? As I am a part time designer, I hope to release at least one pattern per year in this series until it’s completed, two if possible. (I’ve had to scale back my previous expectations on this because of my chronic back problems, alas.) My maximum working capacity is 2-3 new patterns per year, but I’ll be working on another different series in tandem with this one. If there are more that are completed, I’ll gladly release them! I have to work with limited time. Don’t we all! Thanks so much for your excitement and enthusiasm! I really appreciate it. It keeps me going.

  • Total number of patterns in the series: TBD, but very likely nine
  • Average size of the finished ornaments: About 3.5 x 5 inches (9 x 13 cm) Of course, it varies because the shapes will vary, but that will give you an idea.
Mr. Scrooge is about 3.5 inches wide and 5 inches tall, not including the loop

WHERE TO BUY THE PATTERNS: You can purchase my patterns exclusively from my Etsy shop and download them at your convenience. Your pattern download links do not expire:

PLEASE NOTE: InternationalVAT and/or other applicable taxes will be added on at checkout according to your nation’s tax law.

FREQUENTLY WONDERED QUERIES:

Q: HELP! WHAT COLORS SHOULD I USE? 
Choose any colors you like! You can use your own favorite wool felt and floss colors or coordinate with your Christmas decor. I’ve seen sets in every color combo imaginable (tagged on Instagram) and never one I didn’t like. However, I know that picking colors can be intimidating and stressful to lots of folks. Worry no more! I always make samples in delicious Benzie color combos and share the color guides right here, along with handy links to buy the felt/floss kits:

Q: HOW DO I FIND MY PATTERN DOWNLOAD?
Etsy sends automatic email receipts with download links to your account email address. Check your spam folder if it’s missing. You can also download from your account purchase history. Other issues? Check my troubleshooting guide.

Q: I DON’T HAVE A PRINTER. DO I NEED ONE?
In short, yes, at least for the pattern pages themselves to print on regular paper, and also to print or copy the pattern pages to the Sulky stabilizer. Once you have a master set of pattern pages on regular paper, keep ’em handy. Then you can use a copier. Suggestions:

  • Perhaps you have a friend/son/daughter/life coach/tolerant neighbor/secret crush that has a printer you can borrow?
  • Perhaps you work somewhere that will allow you to print a few personal pages?
  • Libraries and churches often have copiers and printers you may use and may charge per page.
  • Note: office supply stores will not print my patterns without checking with me first because my patterns are copyrighted. Just contact me via my Etsy shop if you run into that issue: mmmcrafts.etsy.com

Q: WHERE DO I BUY THE MATERIALS like felt, stabilizer, sequins, and other stuff needed?
I have lists of US sources for materials in the back of all my patterns. Also Benzie Design is offering lovely kits to go with my detailed color guides that include most of what you need!   

Q: I’M OUTSIDE THE US. WHERE DO I BUY THE MATERIALS?
I’ve compiled a short list of international wool felt vendors here, recommended to me by their customers. Also, Benzie Design gladly ships internationally.

Q: I’M NEW TO METALLIC FLOSS AND THREAD. WHAT’S THE BEST KIND TO USE?
I specify several kinds of metallic flosses and threads in my patterns to give my Ebenezer ornaments some lovely Victorian glitter. Check out this blog post to get the skinny on what they are, where to get them, and what they each do best. 

Q: ARE THESE DIFFICULT TO MAKE?
Because of the small scale, these ornaments are not beginner projects, but they are easier than you think! If you are familiar with hand sewing and can 1) sew basic stitches neatly (running stitch, backstitch, and whipstitch) and 2) cut and assemble small pieces with precision and 3) work with sequins and seed beads, then you can make these ornaments and make them well. Why? Because of a magical Sulky stabilizer called Stick ‘N Stitch. If you use the stabilizer, there is no tedious pattern tracing or embroidery transferring involved. You simply use a printer or copier to print my patterns to the stabilizer, peel off the backing, adhere it directly to the wool felt, and then stitch right on the lines. You can read more about that process here. In addition to the stabilizer advantage, you’ll find my patterns are chock-full of very clear instructions and detailed diagrams to guide you through each and every step.

NEED ADDITIONAL HELP?
Click below for additional posts to help you perfect your mmmaking skills:

SHARE YOUR PHOTOS! Use the tag #ebenezerornamentseries on Instagram and Facebook. If you search that tag on Instagram you can view ornaments that others have made! Be sure to tag me with @mmmcrafts on IG. Note: Please do not share images or video of my actual pattern pages. 

VIEW EVERY EBENEZER BLOG POST: If you’d like to read and see more photos of all the patterns and prototypes, click here for a chronological sorting of all my blog posts.

PINTEREST BOARD: A handy way to view lots of my Ebenezer Ornament Series samples in one place.

ARE YOU HAVING TROUBLE with washing away the Sulky stabilizer? Does it still feel gummy/sticky no matter how many times you soak it?  Please read this post!

I hope this resource page has been helpful to you! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via my Etsy shop! That is the quickest way to get an answer. Merry mmmaking! 🙂