It's only the beginning of November, but soon there will be craft fairs and last minute overseas posting dates! If you are anything like me, you should have started in July at the latest and here you are, deadlines approaching, panic rising.
I made a start with these St. Nicholas figures:
He's made from a needle felted collage of fleecy fabric and wool roving layered over ecofelt. This was then machine quilted and sewn into the body shape. I sewed on the face and arms and embroidered him after stuffing. Down the front is a row of interlaced chain stitch, with elongated holding stitches at the sides. I use this because it reminds me of the fastenings on a period soldier's dress tunic. There is also herringbone, Cretan and chevron stitches, and some trellis around the face. Here it is before I added any beads:
