6. Legs: Turn under 2 cm (3/4 in) around bottom edge of each pyjama leg; whipstitch folded edge around top of foot, enclosing and concealing gathers.
7. Arms: Cut red toe tip in half along each side edge and around toe to make 2 strips; fold each in half so terry sides are together and long edges are even and stitch together down long edge. Turn terry side out; turn under 1.5 cm (5/8 in) around each end for pyjama arms. Whipstitch 1 folded edge of 1 arm around top of hand, enclosing and concealing gathers; whipstitch other folded edge securely to "shoulder" just below collar. Repeat with remaining hand and arm.
8. Nightcap: Turn red cuff section terry side out, then turn under 1 cm around cut edge; arrange folded edge over top of head and whipstitch in place. Sew line of running stitches around top, approx 2 cm from edge, then pull thread to gather and form ruffled tip, and tightly knot. With 6 strands of white floss, backstitch Xs around ruffle.
9. Face: With chalk pencil and compass, mark 4 cm circle on red fleece, for nose; cut out. Sew line of running stitches around circle, approx 6 mm from edge. Place firm handful of stuffing on wrong side, then pull thread to gather and form ball, and tightly knot. Place top of nose against face, enclosing and concealing gathers; whipstitch to face. With 6 strands of black floss, backstitch slightly curved line for each closed eye. With six strands of red floss, backstitch smile. Handstitch gold star appliqués in place for cheeks and silver for belly button.
10. Scrunchies: From calico, cut 4 rectangles, each 30.5 x 7.5 cm (12 x 3 in); press under 6 mm along each long edge. Fold each rectangle in half so right sides are together and short ends are even; stitch together along short end to form loop. Fold each loop so wrong sides are together and pressed edges are even; edgestitch, leaving 1 cm opening. From elastic, cut four 10 cm (4-in) lengths. With bodkin, thread 1 length in through opening in each loop, around loop and back out; overlap ends 1 cm and stitch together. Push ends inside; edgestitch openings closed. Slip scrunchie onto each arm and leg, tack in place, if desired.
Designer's tips
• If elf is for very young child, replace nose and appliqués with embroidery to avoid any chocking hazard.
• If you like, you can stuff elf's bottom, hand and feet with stuffing beads - wrapped with batting and stitched to form a ball to fit each - for even more flop.
• You can make matching scrunchies for child's pyjama cuffs or ponytail, cutting 50 x 10 cm (19 3/4- x 4-in) calico strip for each, and using 20.5 cm (8-in) or 23 cm (9-in) length of elastic, respectively (before stitching elastic ends together, try cuff scrunchies on child and adjust, if necessary).
Check out more of our favourtie holiday crafts here!
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