LodeStar Series

LodeStar means guiding star – the perfect name for this two-pattern short series of hand sewn wool felt stars to add some sparkly magic to your Christmas tree! This series came about because of my fruitless search for a pretty star to top my own tree. I designed these projects to be perfect complements to your other MmmCrafts ornaments.

SKILL LEVEL: BEGINNER FRIENDLY
LodeStar Ornaments:
Start with the ornaments if you are new to this type of sewing.
LodeStar Tree Topper:
Same skill level, but a lot more pieces! Patience required!

The stitches and skills required for both these patterns are not advanced, but it is slow sewing! If you can sew a backstitch, whipstitch, and can work with sequins and beads, you got this. My detailed directions will take you from there, and Sulky Stick ‘n Stitch makes it easy. See more info about that here.  

Ramp up the sparkle and shimmer: The LodeStar series is an ideal way to showcase metallic felts in combination with regular wool felts! 

Short on time? Lodestar is easy to simplify. Omit the embroidery and keep the sequins/beads. Or omit both and use a combo of glitter/metallic felts for visual interest. Still so charming!

Explore what mmmakers are posting on Instagram:
Hashtags: #lodestartreetopper #lodestarornaments
Tag me! Love to see what you make in this series. #mmmcrafts and @mmmcrafts on IG.

BOTH PATTERNS ARE NOW AVAILABLE:

Pattern No. 2 – LodeStar Ornaments
The 2nd and final pattern in this short series. This pattern features two beginner-friendly layered ornaments: the Original and a Bethlehem star variation. Both ornaments use basic shapes and stitches. A combination of metallic and wool felts (or all metallic) is recommended. Also included are instructions to repurpose parts to make mini ornaments, mini tree topper, and garlands.

SKILLS NEEDED: Backstitch, whipstitch, beading, cutting star shapes
Purchase ornament pattern | Color guide coming soon

Pattern No. 1 – LodeStar Tree Topper

This is the first of two patterns in this short series. Inspired by my own long and fruitless search for the perfect Christmas tree star, this pattern not only guides you to make a lovely heirloom tree topper or pendant, but also shows you how to repurpose parts of it to make ornaments, mini ornaments, mini tree topper and garland. Also included are tips to make an ‘easy button’ version which omits the embroidery and uses fewer sequins. One of the best features is the lollipop stick attachment. If you’ve ever shared my frustration with the cones which come attached to retail tree toppers, you will love the lollipop stick. Very easy to attach, and stays straight!

SKILLS NEEDED: Patience, backstitch, whipstitch, beading, cutting various shapes
Purchase tree topper pattern | Color guide

WHERE TO BUY THE PATTERNS: My patterns are available exclusively from my Etsy shop. Purchase them year-round, 24 hours a day, and download them at your convenience. Most forms of online payment are accepted, and your pattern download links do not expire:

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

HAVING TROUBLE? Check here for tips, and message me anytime at mmmcrafts.etsy.com regarding your order. I will get back to you promptly.

FREQUENTLY QUERIED QUESTIONS:

Q: HELP! WHAT COLORS SHOULD I USE?
Any colors you like! You can never go wrong with a classic gold/silver/white combo. But there are endless color possibilities, which makes it easy to match your own Christmas decor. However, I know that picking colors can be intimidating and stressful to a lot of folks. Worry no more! I always make samples in delicious Benzie Design color combos and share all the series color guides right here, along with handy links to buy the felt/floss kits. Here are the LodeStar guides for you:

Q: ARE THESE DIFFICULT TO MAKE? 
Nope! All it takes is patience plus some basic hand sewing and embroidery know-how. If you can sew a backstitch, a whipstitch, sew on beads/sequins, and cut out star shapes, then you can make this series and make it well. The secret to success is Sulky Stick ‘n Stitch. All you have to do is print my designs on the stabilizer, then embroider/bead right on the lines. Like all of my patterns, there are detailed step-by-step instructions and diagrams/photos to make the process fail safe. 
Click here to see how Sulky Stick ‘n Stitch actually works – it’s so awesome.

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. Lost the email? Your patterns are also backed up under your Etsy account, and can be found by logging in with a browser and checking your purchases. NOTE: Etsy also allows guest checkouts, but the only way to access guest purchases is through your email receipt. Guest purchases will not show in your Etsy account unless you link them. It’s easy.

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 wool felt, stabilizer, sequins, Pellon, and other stuff needed?
I have lists of US sources for materials in the back of all my patterns. Also Benzie Design puts together lovely kits for my patterns 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 Christmas patterns some lovely holiday sparkle. Check out this post to get the skinny on what they are, where to get them, and what they each do best. 

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

LODESTAR ERRATA:

  1. In the earliest Tree Topper pattern upload, there was a minor error in finished size notation on pages 3 and 10. The finished size of the tree topper star is 11.5 x 11 x 2 inches (without the dowel). It was just a typographical correction and did not affect the pattern in the slightest.
  2. Tree Topper: On page 10, I clarified step 39 by adding “BOTH:” to the beginning.

SHARE YOUR PHOTOS! Use the tag #lodestartreetopper or #lodestarornaments on Instagram and Facebook to share what you make. Be sure to tag me with @mmmcrafts on IG. Note: Please do not share images or video of my actual pattern pages.

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

LODESTAR ON PINTEREST: Here’s my board.

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!

Questions? Message me at mmmcrafts.etsy.com for the quickest answer.