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These gnomes are simple to make and spread cheer like no other! Plus they can be customized in scores of ways -- between different vest colors + Dresden accents + festive miniatures, you can create a completely unique set to match even the most special decorations. Completed figures are about 4" tall.
Supplies: 3/4" Spun Cotton Heads, Spun Cotton "Shoes", 3-1/4" Chenille Bumps, Dresden Bows, Top Hats, Festive Miniatures, Small Dresden Trims, Crepe Paper, Clear-drying Glue (like Alleen's or E6000), Needle-nose Pliers, Scissors, Template, Paint, Pipe Cleaners or Skewers,
Template: Click here to download a free pdf of our Gnome Vest Template + Accordion. (Print at "actual size.")
Step 1: Arrange your supplies. To make 1 gnome you will need: 1 head, 3 chenille bumps (1 for arms, 2 chenille bumps folded in half for body/legs), 1 vest, 1 bow and 1 piece of Dresden border for buttons. 1-2 items to hold, 2 spun cotton shoes.
Paint spun cotton shoes to compliment your gnome's attire. Use skewers or pipe cleaners as handles while painting and for drying.
Step 2: Bend two chenille bumps in half to create the body and legs. If needed, pinch the top of the bumps together with your pliers so it will better fit in the spun cotton head.
Step 3: Create arms by placing 1 chenille bump between the bent bumps. Just below the arms, twist the "body" 1 full turn to secure the arms in place and make a unitized figure. Bend the arms slightly downward.
Step 4: Cut vest pieces out of crepe paper. On vest back, fold small tabs on shoulders and at sides. Apply glue to shoulder tabs and glue vest pieces together. Let dry.
Step 5: Put vest onto figure and glue at sides. Let dry. Put spun cotton head onto figure and adjust vest if needed. Glue head into place.
Step 6: Glue Dresden trim down center of vest. Glue bow slightly under beard. Let dry.
Step 7: Glue on shoes and top hat. Let dry. Shoes can be bent upward; top hat can be tilted to the side for character.
Step 8: Use pliers to create small loops that will serve as your gnome's "hands" for holding his items. Apply a small drop of glue in the loop, hand him his item and let dry Repeat for each side.
Step 9: As always, display proudly! These guys look charming tucked into tree branches, accessorizing gifts and packages, and helping make merry on tablescapes and in dioramas.
There are so many ways to make your gnomes unique. Below are some of our favorites with tips.
Match shoes to hats: black hats + black shoes makes for a cohesive look, like below Left and Center Right.
Gnomes love mushrooms: have him hold a cluster of tiny toadstools. Leave stems long like below Center Left, or twist and trim like the mixed cluster below Right.
Go all in on different shades of red and green: you can't go wrong with a Christmas classic. Below Left, Center Left and Center Right all have variations of red and green in their vests, bow ties and accessories. Center Left and Center Right are even made with red and green chenille bumps.
Feeling lucky? Go from Gnome to Leprechaun in four easy tweaks: gold chenille bumps + green vest and buttons + gold Dresden star shoe buckles and bow tie + Dresden shamrock to hold. Now if below Right will just lead us to that pot of gold!
Mix bump colors: try one color for arms and one for legs for an extra level of customization, like below Center Right.
Mix in other spun cotton heads: achieve a charming result with other 3/4" heads like the figures below. Left, Center Right and Right all follow a Christmas theme with their red and green color schemes, but we couldn't resist making a Fall friend as well. The adorable pumpkin below has escaped from the patch with gourd in tow. Like the Leprechaun, simply change up the color scheme: green chenille bumps + orange vest and green buttons + autumn accessories. Twist the gourd stem around a pencil or paintbrush handle for interest. Don't tell the gnomes, but the pumpkin is one of our favorites :)
Item No. DFW852AG
Sheet of 240 classic Dresden stars, each measuring 1/4". Antique gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW847LGR
Sheet of 40 Dresden Shamrocks, each measuring 5/8" wide x 3/4" tall. Light green foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW847GR
Sheet of 40 Dresden Shamrocks, each measuring 5/8" wide x 3/4" tall. Green foil on front, off white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW847DKB
Sheet of 40 Dresden Shamrocks, each measuring 5/8" wide x 3/4" tall. Dark blue foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW847AG
Sheet of 40 Dresden Shamrocks, each measuring 5/8" wide x 3/4" tall. Antique gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW782SF
Sheet of 10 medium Dresden bows, each measuring 1" x 1/2". Aqua foil on front and ivory paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW782S
Sheet of 10 medium Dresden bows, each measuring 1" x 1/2". Silver foil on front, white or tan paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW782R
Sheet of 10 medium Dresden bows, each measuring 1" x 1/2". Red foil on front, off white paper on back. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW782LPU
Sheet of 10 medium Dresden bows, each measuring 1" x 1/2". Light purple foil on front, white paper on the reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW782LGR
Sheet of 10 medium Dresden bows, each measuring 1" x 1/2". Light green foil on front, white paper on the reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW782GR
Sheet of 10 medium Dresden bows, each measuring 1" x 1/2". Green foil on front, tan paper on the reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW782G
Sheet of 10 medium Dresden bows, each measuring 1" x 1/2". Gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW782AG
Sheet of 10 medium Dresden bows, each measuring 1" x 1/2". Antique gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW278SB
6 strips each measuring 21" long of petite flower Dresden trim, for a total of 126". Steel blue foil on front, white paper on reverse. Design is 1/8" wide. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW278S
6 strips each measuring 21" long of petite flower Dresden trim, for a total of 126". Silver foil, white paper on back. Design is 1/8" wide. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW278R
6 strips each measuring 21" long of petite flower Dresden trim, for a total of 126". Red foil on front, white paper on reverse. Design is 1/8" wide. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW278LG
6 strips each measuring 21" long of petite flower Dresden trim, for a total of 126". Light green foil on front, white paper on back. Design is 1/8" wide. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW278AG
6 strips each measuring 21" long of petite flower Dresden trim, for a total of 126". Antique gold foil, white paper on back. Design is 1/8" wide. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW203S
15 strips each measuring 22" long of petite rope twist Dresden trim, for a total of 330". Silver foil on front, tan paper on reverse. Design is 1/16" wide. Made in Germany. A trim this petite is ideal for restorations, cloisterwork and any project where the tiniest of trims is required.
Item No. DFW203LG
15 strips each measuring 22" long of petite rope twist Dresden trim, for a total of 330". Light green foil on front, white paper on reverse. Design is 1/16" wide. Made in Germany. A trim this petite is ideal for restorations, cloisterwork and any project where the tiniest of trims is required.
Item No. DFW203AG
15 strips each measuring 22" long of petite rope twist Dresden trim, for a total of 330". Antique gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Design is 1/16" wide. Made in Germany. A trim this petite is ideal for restorations, cloisterwork and any project where the tiniest of trims is required.
Item No. DCP-3406
1 folded sheet of two-tone double sided Gloria Doublette crepe paper in orange and goldenrod yellow. Sheet measures 25 cm x 125 cm (which is 10" by 49") and has 135% stretchability. Made in Germany.
Item No. DCP-3340
1 folded sheet of two-tone double sided Gloria Doublette crepe paper in fern and grass green. Sheet measures 25 cm x 125 cm (which is 10" by 49") and has 135% stretchability. Made in Germany.
Item No. DCP-3331
1 folded sheet of two-tone double sided Gloria Doublette crepe paper in red and wine. Sheet measures 25 cm x 125 cm (which is 10" by 49") and has 135% stretchability. Made in Germany.
Item No. DCP-3300
1 folded sheet of double sided Gloria Doublette crepe paper in all white -- both sides are the same shade of white. Sheet measures 25 cm x 125 cm (which is 10" by 49") and has 135% stretchability. Made in Germany.
Item No. CB3-METS-BULK
This is a 10 meter length (just over 30 feet!) of retro-style wired bump chenille in Metallic Silver. Each bump measures 3-1/4" long and 3/4" wide. A 10 meter length will include approximately 120 complete bumps. Made from Lurex -- will not tarnish.The tinsel is more soft than stiff, and is an ideal small size for winding through tree branches as a garland, crafting retro-style ornaments, using as...(click for more)
Item No. CB3-METS
This is a 1 yard length of retro-style wired bump chenille in Metallic Silver. Each bump measures 3-1/4" long and 3/4" wide. A 1 yard length will include 12 complete bumps. Made from Lurex -- will not tarnish.The tinsel is more soft than stiff, and is an ideal small size for winding through tree branches as a garland, crafting retro-style ornaments, using as arms and legs for chenille figur...(click for more)
Item No. CB3-METR-BULK
This is a 10 meter length (just over 30 feet!) of retro-style wired bump chenille in Metallic Red. Each bump measures 3-1/4" long and 3/4" wide. A 10 meter length will include 120 complete bumps. Made from Lurex -- will not tarnish.The tinsel is more soft than stiff, and is an ideal small size for winding through tree branches as a garland, crafting retro-style ornaments, using as arms and legs ...(click for more)
Item No. CB3-METR
This is a 1 yard length of retro-style wired bump chenille in Metallic Red. Each bump measures 3-1/4" long and 3/4" wide. A 1 yard length will include 12 complete bumps. Made from Lurex -- will not tarnish.The tinsel is more soft than stiff, and is an ideal small size for winding through tree branches as a garland, crafting retro-style ornaments, using as arms and legs for chenille figures ...(click for more)
Item No. CB3-METGR-BULK
This is a 10 meter length (just over 30 feet!) of retro-style wired bump chenille in Metallic Green. Each bump measures 3-1/4" long and 3/4" wide. A 10 meter length will include 120 complete bumps. Made from Lurex -- will not tarnish.The tinsel is more soft than stiff, and is an ideal small size for winding through tree branches as a garland, crafting retro-style ornaments, using as arms and legs ...(click for more)
Item No. CB3-METGR
This is a 1 yard length of retro-style wired bump chenille in Metallic Green. Each bump measures 3-1/4" long and 3/4" wide. A 1 yard length will include 12 complete bumps. Made from Lurex -- will not tarnish.The tinsel is more soft than stiff, and is an ideal small size for winding through tree branches as a garland, crafting retro-style ornaments, using as arms and legs for chenille figure...(click for more)
Item No. CB3-METG-BULK
This is a 10 meter length (just over 30 feet!) of retro-style wired bump chenille in Metallic Gold. Each bump measures 3-1/4" long and 3/4" wide. A 10 meter length will include approximately 120 complete bumps. Made from Lurex -- will not tarnish.The tinsel is more soft than stiff, and is an ideal small size for winding through tree branches as a garland, crafting retro-style ornaments, using as a...(click for more)
Item No. CB3-METG
This is a 1 yard length of retro-style wired bump chenille in Metallic Gold. Each bump measures 3-1/4" long and 3/4" wide. A 1 yard length will include 12 complete bumps. Made from Lurex -- will not tarnish.The tinsel is more soft than stiff, and is an ideal small size for winding through tree branches as a garland, crafting retro-style ornaments, using as arms and legs for chenille figures...(click for more)