Creating Ugly Christmas Sweater Gnomes with Fairfield World was the perfect solution to my recent trip to Goodwill in search of sweaters to upcycle. I know that you have seen all of the cute and woodsy Gnomes out there, but I like to stand out and not blend in. Since I live in Florida the pickings were mighty slim, but I was able to find a red cable knit and a pretty ugly Christmas sweater AND I even received a senior citizen discount for being over 50 years old. Don't be jealous!
Fairfield World makes the BEST products for stuffing all the Gnomes including Poly-Fil and Poly Pellets.
Let's Create a pair of Ugly Christmas Sweater Gnomes!
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Here's What you need to make upcycled Sweater Gnomes:
- Fairfield World Poly-Fil
- Fairfield World Poly Pellets
- Recycled Sweaters, one solid and one plain
- Fake Fur – white
- Chenille Yarn – white
- Cotton Lace – forest green
- Wooden Plugs – 1″ in diameter (2)
- Ribbon – Red, two 12″ lengths
- Chenille Stems, two per gnome
- Sewing Machine and Thread (this Singer is a great all-purpose machine!)
- Straight Pins
- Scissors – Fiskars are my favorite!
- Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
- Ruler
- Permanent Marker – Tombow MONOTWIN is the best!
- Tape
- Chopstick or Pencil
- Plastic Zipper Bags – Snack Size, two
- FREE PATTERNS – download below at the bottom of this post ⇓
How to Make Christmas Gnomes from Ugly Sweaters:
STEP ONE
I always wash and dry sweaters and any soft goods from the second-hand store. Cut sweaters apart at their seams and remove the cuffs and sleeves. Download the UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER GNOME PATTERNS at the bottom of this post. Print the patterns, then cut them out with scissors and assemble the hat with tape.
Fold sweater sections in half, line up patterns on folds, as indicated, and pin patterns in place with straight pins. I used the red cable knit for the gnome body and the ugly Christmas sweater for the gnome hat.
STEP TWO
Cut out two body patterns for each gnome. Remove straight pins and patterns.
Cut out two hat patterns for each gnome. Remove straight pins and patterns.
Line up sweater pieces with right sides together, facing in, and pin them together. Since the sweater is bulky, place the pins close together. Repeat with the hat pieces.
STEP THREE
Sew body and hat pieces together on a sewing machine, using the presser foot as the seam allowance. Leave a four-inch section open at the top of the gnome body and the base of the gnome hat open for stuffing.
Turn the body and hat pieces right side out. Use a chopstick to get into the smaller areas. Don't push too hard or the chopstick will break through the knit of the sweater.
STEP FOUR
Fill two snack-size plastic zipper bags with Poly-Pellets using the handy pour spout that is built into the package.
Place the zipper bags of Poly-Pellets into the base of each gnome.
STEP FIVE
Stuff the gnome's body with Poly-Fil using a chopstick to get into the corners. Make sure to stuff around the bag of Poly Pellets.
Twist two chenille stems together at the top and position them inside the gnome hat. The wire in the chenille stems will allow you to position the point of the hats. Stuff the hats with Poly-Fil, using a chopstick to get into the corners.
STEP SIX
Secure the top opening of the gnome's bodies and close them with a glue gun and glue sticks.
STEP SEVEN
Trace the beard pattern on the back of the fake fur and then carefully cut it out to retain the length of the fur.
Attach the beard to the top center of the boy gnome's body with a glue gun.
STEP EIGHT
Cut nine lengths of chenille yarn that are twelve inches long each, lay them out on your work surface, and tie them at the top with another piece of yarn. Separate yarn into three groups of three strands each, braid then secure at the bottom with another piece of yarn. Repeat, making a second braid.
Attach to the top right and top left of the girl gnome's body with a glue gun.
STEP NINE
Glue hats to gnome bodies with a glue gun and glue sticks.
STEP TEN
To finish, glue forest green cotton lace to the bottom edge of both gnome hats.
Accent girl gnome braids with red ribbons tied in a bow.
Attach wooden noses to both gnomes, just under the edge of the hats with a glue gun.
Download the Ugly Christmas Sweater Gnome Patterns Here
Gnomes made from Upcycled Ugly Christmas Sweaters
Here is a detailed photo of the boy Gnome with his dapper beard and button nose, he is sure to bring Christmas cheer to your holiday home decor. The chenille stems make his hat totally poseable.
And here is the girl Gnome with her sweet braided hair complete with red bows, and her green lace trim, she is sure to be the perfect companion to her gnome partner.
Upcycled Ugly Christmas Sweater Gnomes
I hope you have enjoyed my Ugly Christmas Sweater Gnomes and that you will use my tutorial as a jumping-off point to showcase YOUR Fairfield World creativity! With a wide variety of stuffings, pellets, weighted blankets, pillow forms, quilt batting, and more the makers of Poly-Fil have you covered for all of your crafting needs!
I was able to make three pairs of Ugly Christmas Sweater Gnomes from the two upcycled sweaters. Handmade Christmas presents for my Mom, Bestie, and Sister are done early – CHECK!
Additional Christmas-Inspired Crafts with Poly-Fil
I love everything rainbow. This Christmas Lights Felt Garland stuffed with Poly-Fil® from Fairfield World™ has been an idea rolling around in my brain for a while now. This year I put it down on paper, created it in my favorite rainbow colors of Kunin® Classic™ Felt, and am offering FREE Patterns just for YOU.
The holidays are just not complete for me without some new holiday throw pillows. Am I right? Today I am sharing a quick and easy Upcycled Christmas Tree Pillow. The Poly-Fil Premier Lumbar Pillow Form from Fairfield makes it soft and cozy just the way a throw pillow should be! Check out my step-by-step tutorial with free printable patterns.
Creating year-round also lets me keep the spirit of Christmas in my heart and mind always. I am starting with a Trio of Felt Trees Stuffed with Poly-Fil®, but I know an entire forest is in my future. Get the tutorial and FREE Patterns to make your own!
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Too busy to make these DIY Gnomes from Upcycled Ugly Christmas Sweaters right now? Pin it for later! I'd love for you to pin this project to your favorite craft board on Pinterest and then it’ll be waiting for you when you’re ready.
I'd love to hear what you think about this project, or if you want to know more about Gnomes. If you've made your own Christmas projects, I would love to see your creations! Share them on Instagram, and Facebook, or leave a comment/photo on the project pin on Pinterest! #CreativelyBeth
Thanks for stopping by!
I have to say that this design is something I’d never have thought of! Thank goodness we have so many creative people in his world to come up with such things!