Angel Felt Gift Tag - Quick Craft

I'm not the most experienced with felt. In fact, I've only completed a few projects in felt simply because I always thought it would require too much hand sewing. The moment I discovered I was wrong, I started getting all kinds of ideas for what I could do - but finding time to do them has been another matter entirely.

The one project that I've recently found the time to create in felt was one that I made the time for because I just loved the idea of it. In concept, it is this: a felt tag to be used on Christmas presents. When the gift is opened, the tag makes a tree ornament. The back has a pocket that's exactly the right size for a gift card or just a candy cane.

Quick, easy, and very cute. Here's how to make your own.

Angel Felt Gift Tag: The Steps

There are several steps to creating the gift tag, but they're really quite easy so don't let the number fool you. When the front of the tag is complete, you might like trying embroidery floss hair on the angel - it was something I thought of after I'd completed the project.

1. Prepare the Pattern - First, you'll need to grab a copy of the pattern which can be found here. Print the pattern (it looks huge, but I promise it will print on a regular sheet of computer paper) and cut out the pieces. Each pattern piece is marked with a name and the number of felt pieces you'll need to cut from it. I would keep all the pattern pieces in a little sandwich bag for safekeeping.

2. Cut the Felt - Each piece is marked by how many pieces of felt need to be cut from it, but you'll need to use your imagination when deciding what colors to use. In the example I've created, there are 7 colors of felt used: Dark brown for the tag and back pocket, light tan for the tag center and dress ribbon, yellow for the star, red for the dress, dark tan for the angel's body pieces, sparkling white for the outer wing and light blue for the inner wing. You'll want to use embroidery floss that is similar to each color of felt used.

3. Begin Assembly - The front of the tag and the back of the tag are assembled separately and then sewn together when each one is complete. Start with the back of the tag. You'll want to finish the top edge of the back pocket with a blanket stitch using the same color of thread that you will use to sew the front & back of the tag together. Tack the pocket to the back of the tag with a small piece of tape, but do not sew. You'll sew the pocket to the back when you sew the front on.

4. Assemble the Front - The front of the tag requires more work, obviously. This is the order in which you should attach pieces to the front of the tag:

a. Sew the tag center to the front tag.
b. Sew the star to the bottom right corner of the tag.
c. Sew the inside wing to one of the two cut outer wings. Sew outer wings together. Sew the finished wings to the tag, attaching at the base (bottom line) of the wing only.
d. Sew the back hand to the back sleeve.
e. Sew the back sleeve to the dress.
f. Sew the dress ribbon to the dress.
g. Sew the two back legs and two front leg pieces to each other.
h. Sew the back leg to the tag, and then the front leg to the tag overlapping the back leg. Each should be attached at the top of the leg only.
i. Sew the dress to the tag, making sure to cover the bottom line of the wings and the tops of both legs.
j. Sew the front hand to the front sleeve.
k. Sew the front sleeve to the dress and tag.
l. Sew the head to the tag.

5. Combine Front & Back - Carefully place the front and back of the tag together, making sure that you fold the wing and legs inward so that they don't get sewn into the seam. Use a blanket stitch to combine the front, back, and pocket of the tag into one piece.

6. Add an Eyelet - The finishing touch to this tag is the eyelet added at the top center of the tag. Run a ribbon or thread through the eyelet, attach to your gift, and give!