How-To: Felt Photo Frame

Materials

2 sheets of wool or acrylic felt I’m using 1 sheet of patterned felt and 1 sheet of plain here.
Sheet of cardstock
Downloadable template
Photo wallet size
Straight pins
Scissors
Tacky glue
1/8″-wide ribbon
Needle and embroidery floss
Assorted embellishments
Lanyard clip Available in the jewelry section of craft stores or online.
Download the felt frames template PDF.

Directions

Step 1: Print out the template. Cut out the pieces and pin them to the felt. You’ll need 2 pieces, either the same color or different colors, as shown here. You’ll also need to cut a piece of cardstock that’s slightly smaller than the template.

Step 2: Here’s a good way to cut out the center of the felt frame. Fold the felt in half lengthwise. Fold the template in half, too, and cut out the center. Pin the 2 pieces together as shown. Then, carefully follow the pattern to cut out the center.

Step 3: Glue the cardstock to the back of the frame. As you can see, you don’t need to use much glue.

Step 4: Glue your photo to the cardstock, placing it in the center.

Step 5: Apply a little glue to the back of the frame, and press it over the photo. You’ll have a few minutes before the glue dries, so you can adjust the placement of your photo if needed.

Step 6: While the glue is still wet, peel the top of the frame open. Apply a generous dot of glue between the layers at the center top of the frame, as shown. Cut a 1¼” length of ribbon and fold it in half.

Step 7: Tuck this ribbon loop in between the layers and press the felt over it.

Step 8: Time to whipstitch the edges of the frame together. Thread a needle with about 18″ of embroidery floss, and tie a knot in one end. To begin stitching, bring your needle up through one layer of felt only. This allows you to hide that knot between the layers.

Step 9: Next, bring the needle up through both layers of felt. Repeat this stitch and work your way around the edge of the frame.

Step 10: When you reach the ribbon loop at the top of the frame, you’ll alter your stitch a little. Bring your needle up through all the layers, but then pass it back down through the ribbon only.

Step 11: Then, bring your needle back up through all the layers for the next stitch, and then pass it back down through just the ribbon. Repeat this process until you’ve stitched your way past the ribbon loop. Then return to regular whipstitching.

Step 12: When you’re ready to knot the floss, take one last stitch and leave a small loop in the floss, as shown.

Step 13: Pass your needle through this loop twice. Pull the knot tight, and then cut the floss.

Step 14: Have fun embellishing your frame. I glued on some flat-backed gems and added a border of glitter glue. You could also add buttons, rickrack, puffy paints, or anything else you like.

Step 15: Slip a lanyard clip through the ribbon loop, and your felt frame is ready to clip on your bag.

About the Author

Diane Gilleland produces CraftyPod, a blog and bi-weekly podcast about making stuff. Her first book, Kanzashi In Bloom is currently out in bookstores.