Contemporary/Christmas/Decorative Balls

Something old is new again in a different way and more decorative way. These are styrofoam balls carved with a design to resemble a quilt block. What is neat about them is that they don't have to be Christmas. They can be out anytime, in a basket or just hanging somewhere.

The technique is called, Kimekomi and is a Japanese craft from around the first half of the 18th century. The original items were carved in wood and then the fabric was pushed into the grooves. You can do a search on the web and read about it.

I started with a book and read it twice lol. Here is a small tut of how it goes together. First you divided the ball into section according to instructions. Then you trace two or three shapes between the sections. Then you cut into the lines, 1/2 inch deep.

Here is the styro ball with the pattern drawn on and then cut to a depth of 1/2 inch.

These are the pattern pieces for this ball, which is a 4 inch ball. The pattern consists of the batting patt and the fabric patt.

The batting patterns are cut first and glued on with some temp glue. I did one row at a time, starting at the top. I would glue the batting on just the row I was working on and then start pushing the fabric in.

Here is the top with the first fabric and batt on it. Now on to the second row.

Here is the second row....

Here is the complete ball, two views.

After the fabrics are all in, the rattail cording is glued on. A hanger is optional.

Here are a couple other patterns that I did on 3 inch ball.

I will be demonstrating this technique at the The Sewing Studio Super Fabric Store on the 16th of July, when they have their, Christmas in July special.