Make Your Own Jolly Old Saint Nicholas Scrap Fabric Craft

“The giver of every good & perfect gift has called upon us to mimic His giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.”
– Saint Nicholas of Myra

Welcome Salvage Friends!

Today, our friend Jessica, from Cozy Traditional Home, is here to share this Jolly Old Saint Nicholas Scrap Fabric Craft.  If you haven’t seen some of her previous projects, you can see more here, Fabric Scraps Pot Holders or here, Scrappy Denim Boho Necklace. 

So, here’s Jessica……

Saint Nicholas Scrap Fabric Craft

We have always celebrated St. Nick’s day with our family. It’s part of our German heritage, and this year will be no exception. I had fun making these crafty, old fashioned St. Nick’s to add to our Christmas decor. They are easy and inexpensive to make with the addition of a few extra supplies from the craft store.

These little St. Nick guys are made from cardboard tree bases and covered with wool. My wool scrap bin came in handy and I was able to adorn them with little robes, patches of fur trim, and pouches for holding gifts. The eyes are made from stick pins with dark colored heads, the nose from a wooden piece of herb (astragalus root) which has been in our spice cabinet forever and I can’t bring myself to eat. We are firm believers in using what you have on hand to make things, why buy stuff when you don’t have to?

The wool in my scrap bag is from quilting crafts, thrifted cut up cashmere jackets, mens suits and old wool trousers. These pieces are very fine quality and I have had them forever because I couldn’t bear to part with them. How can you possibly throw away cashmere???

We are just getting started on our Christmas decor, but getting ready for St. Nick’s Day takes priority. Even though our kids are adults, I can’t help but keep the tradition going.

The St. Nick’s feature wind blown beards and warm furry hats. Little scraps of wool cut into leaves and pinned in place with red headed stick pins give them an old fashioned festive look. A few tiny wreaths from the craft store here and there add character to his appearance. Here’s what you will need to make your own St. Nicholas.

Saint Nicholas Scrap Fabric Craft Supplies:

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•  Paper mâché tree forms in two sizes
• •Scraps of wool fabrics (tan, beige, red, green, multi-colored plaid, or black)
• Craft glue or a hot glue gun
• Stick pins with colored heads for eyes (mine had black or red heads), broken tooth picks, herbal roots or tiny scraps of wood for the nose
• Craft fur
• Faux suede leather shoe laces or faux suede for making necklaces (used for the belt and tying on the waist pouch)
• Mini holly berries and mini wreaths, from the craft store, for decorating

 

Directions:

1. Wrap the fabric around the tree base at a 45 degree angle, gluing as you work with the hot glue gun. Trim away excess at the bottom edge so the St. Nick will sit on a flat surface.
2. Let the fabric extend above the tree top 3-4″ to make the pointed hat. Glue edges in place.
3. Add a strip of craft fur 4″ down from the tip of the hat to make the hat trim.
4. Glue a small piece of fur on the tip of the hat for trim.
5. Stick the black headed pins in place for eyes just under the fur rim of the hat. Cut a long triangle of fur for the beard. Add the wooden nose between the eyes. Then place the beard,  just under the eyes and nose. Fluff the fur out over the cut edges to look wind blown.
6. Secure the facial features and beard with glue.
7. To complete the St. Nick, cut a “robe” from a rectangle of wool fabric about 6″ x 8″. Use pinking shears to trim edges if desired. Fold the top of the rectangle down 2″, then wrap around the “shoulders” of the Saint Nicholas. Tie in place with a length of faux suede or shoe lace around the waist.
8. Add a small piece of fabric at the belt for the gift bag, tie in place with the faux suede. Attach faux mini wreaths, holly berries and tiny scraps of green wool for holly leaves on the belt, hat or lapel to decorate.
9. Finally, display on wooden candle holders or on a flat surface.

Thanks to Salvage Sister and Mister for sponsoring this post!

Looking for more Christmas Craft ideas? Try these:

• Timepiece Christmas Ornament
• Buffalo Check Log Carrier Ornament
• Living Room Christmas Decor
• 31 Days of Pintrest DIY: Day 16 Christmas Wine Bottles

A big thanks to Jessica for sharing this wonderful Saint Nicholas Scrap Fabric Craft.  If you make one, be sure to let us know!

Jolly St Nick Scrap Fabric Craft

Print

Use your scrap fabrics to make a vintage looking St Nicholas

Materials

• Paper mâché tree forms in two sizes
• •Scraps of wool fabrics (tan, beige, red, green, multi-colored plaid, or black)
• Craft glue or a hot glue gun
• Stick pins with colored heads for eyes (mine had black or red heads), broken tooth picks, herbal roots or tiny scraps of wood for the nose
• Craft fur
• Faux suede leather shoe laces or faux suede for making necklaces (used for the belt and tying on the waist pouch)
• Mini holly berries and mini wreaths, from the craft store, for decorating

Instructions

1. Wrap the fabric around the tree base at a 45 degree angle, gluing as you work with the hot glue gun. Trim away excess at the bottom edge so the St. Nick will sit on a flat surface.
2. Let the fabric extend above the tree top 3-4" to make the pointed hat. Glue edges in place.
3. Add a strip of craft fur 4" down from the tip of the hat to make the hat trim.
4. Glue a small piece of fur on the tip of the hat for trim.
5. Stick the black headed pins in place for eyes just under the fur rim of the hat. Cut a long triangle of fur for the beard. Add the wooden nose between the eyes. Then place the beard, just under the eyes and nose. Fluff the fur out over the cut edges to look wind blown.
6. Secure the facial features and beard with glue.
7. To complete the St. Nick, cut a "robe" from a rectangle of wool fabric about 6" x 8". Use pinking shears to trim edges if desired. Fold the top of the rectangle down 2", then wrap around the "shoulders" of the Saint Nicholas. Tie in place with a length of faux suede or shoe lace around the waist.
8. Add a small piece of fabric at the belt for the gift bag, tie in place with the faux suede. Attach faux mini wreaths, holly berries and tiny scraps of green wool for holly leaves on the belt, hat or lapel to decorate.
9. Finally, display on wooden candle holders or on a flat surface.
10. 
    

Recommended Products

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• 
  Paper Mache Tree Cones
• 
  Tacky Glue
• 
  Craft Fur

Did you make this project?

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