Rag ball

Merry Christmas to you and your family!   I made a few rag balls this Christmas from the Quilting Arts Gifts Magazine - 2011.  My daughter (VT grad) and my son-in-law (Charlotte grad) decorate their tree in orange, maroon, green and gold.

Simple easy to make. 

Rip 2 - 1/2 WOF pieces, iron them.  Start at the top of the ball, secure with a pin and begin wrapping.  I found that it two pieces to cover the ball and you may have to cut some off.  I tried it with 2 different pieces of fabric but it didn't look very good. 

Once the ball is covered - that's a 2 1/2" styrofoam ball - add pins, ribbons, fabric sequins, to embellish it.  

For the hook, I took a piece of 20 guage wire cut about 2 inches, fold in half, add a bead or two and then push it into the top of the ball - this is the most difficult step as you are going through multiple layers of fabic to get to the ball - pre-poking with a needle or a wire end helps!

Hope your holidays are going as planned and you are making wonderful memories!