DaWanda Backstage

Have you ever tried sewing onto paper? Well now you’ve got the perfect opportunity to try it and see what lovely patterns you can create – we’ve got some DIY instructions for you to make your own gift tags this Christmas. Come and have a look:

1. Getting Ready
- Print out our DIY sheet, and cut out the star template.

- Cut a gift tag shape out of some strong paper (e.g. craft paper), and fold it in the centre (later we’ll be sticking it together, to hide the back of the embroidered star).The longer the name of your recipient, the longer the gift tag should be, so you can fit everything onto it!

- Select a fine thread (normal sewing-machine yarn is fine), and a thin needle.

2. Pin on the pattern
With the gift-tag paper unfolded, pin the star pattern to the left-hand side of the front of the tag. Then use a needle to make holes in the tag underneath, based on the star pattern. A tip: put a cushion under the paper, so the needle can go through it easily, but without causing any painful accidents!

3. Sew the first rays
Pull the thread from the lowest hole in one ray to the highest hole in the next ray to the left. Now on the back of the tag, pull the thread back through the hole immediately below this one, and then thread it back through the second-lowest hole in the ray you started with. Keep going like this – always go one hole upwards in your starting ray, and always go one hole downwards in the neighbouring ray, until all the holes have been threaded, and you’re left with a lovely net-like pattern. You can find exact instructions and the pattern to follow in our printable DIY sheet.




4. Sew the next rays
When you’re done with the first couple of rays, your thread should finish up coming out of the highest hole of the ray you started on. On the back of the tag, pull the thread back through the lowest hole of the closest ray on the right, and carry on as in Step 3, i.e. keep sewing up to the left etc.








5. You’re done!
When the star is finished, snip off the end of the thread. Pull the folded halves of the tag closed and stick them together. Punch a hole in the tag for its ribbon, and you’re done! Write the name of your recipient with a suitable pen (it’s best to mark it out in pencil first).

A tip: You can also create Christmas Tree ornaments or Greeting Cards, using the same principle. Either stick the embroidered piece onto a folding card, or embroider directly onto the card, and mask the back of the star. You can try out different colours – the star also looks great if you use different coloured threads for different rays!

We’ve got some short and easy instructions for you on a DIY sheet, including patterns to cut out, which you can come back here to pick up again if you need more. Just click here or on the image below to download the sheet:

Have fun crafting and decorating your Christmas gifts! Did you enjoy this DIY post? Then we’d love it if you’d let us know in the comments, and tell your friends, too :)