How to Make Christmas Gnomes

For each gnome:

- 1/4 yard fleece in desired color (red, white, green, etc.)

- Felt scraps for nose and cheeks

- 1/4 inch wide elastic

- Cotton batting

- Scissors

- Sewing machine or needle and thread

Instructions

1. Cut your fabric

- Cut a 9x12 inch rectangle from your fleece fabric.

- Cut a 3x10 inch rectangle from the felt for your gnome's beard.

- Cut two 1-inch circles for your gnome's cheeks.

- Cut a small triangle from felt for the nose.

2. Create the pocket for the elastic.

- Fold the top 2 inches of the 9x12 rectangle down towards the wrong side of the fabric. Sew a 1/4-inch seam along the top of the fold to create a pocket for your elastic.

3. Stitch the sides

- Fold the rectangle right sides together. Sew the two long edges, stopping about 1 inch before the top edge.

4. Make the beard.

- Fold the beard into thirds lengthwise, so it measures about 1x10 inches.

- Sew the long edge of the beard close to the folded edge.

- Clip the corners and turn right-side out.

5. Assemble your gnome.

- Turn the gnome body right-side out.

- Stuff the hat with cotton batting.

- Tuck the raw edges of the bottom 1-inch down inside the gnome's body and sew closed to seal the bottom of the hat.

- Insert the beard into the hat and pin it in place.

- Sew it in place around the bottom of the beard and remove the pins.

- To make the cheeks, lightly glue the circles of felt to the gnome's face, just above the beard.

- Glue the triangle nose in place between the cheeks.

- Cut a piece of elastic to the desired length around your child’s neck, stretch the elastic slightly, fit it into the pocket, and sew the ends together (or tie in a knot).

TIP: Instead of tying a knot, try putting a bead or button on either side of the elastic to act as a stopper and prevent the elastic from pulling out.