A Beautiful Heirloom Christmas Angel

There is something so special about making Christmas decorations. I love the idea that they will become heirlooms passed down the generations, decorating the family homes of the future.

I make new decorations every year and have now built up quite a collection. I’ll add another post in a few weeks time (when the decs come out) of the decorations I’ve made in the past.

This year I wanted to make a few large angels to dot around the house. One either side of the fireplace, maybe one or two on the book shelf, I’m even thinking about having them going up the stair banister.

I found a lovely little pattern on Etsy called the Odiva doll, which is quite similar to a Tilda angel, but a little more shapely and a little larger. There are also patterns for different styles of clothing to fit her. I purchased the doll pattern, wings, double circle skirt and shoes.

This version was attempt 1, a bit of a practise run to test out how she came together. She wasn’t very difficult to make, just a little time consuming. Didn’t she turn out lovely!?

I used Tilda doll fabric for the skin colour, 2 x Liberty of London fat quarters for the patterned body and 2 x Liberty fat quarters for the skirt (which is a double circle so there is loads of volume). I will eventually make some kind of petticoat to place underneath to really show off that skirt.

I shortened the skirt quite a lot so that I could fit it onto fat quarters. It is totally removable so I can swap and change it as I change my decor themes.

Next time I will definately use wool stuffing to stuff the angel (rather than polyester) as I always find that the latter tends to go a little lumpy which is noticeable in the legs.

How cute are her little shoes! Again they are totally removable so can be changed to match a new outfit.

Her wings were made from cream quilting cotton, they are lightly stuffed and then I quilted a little pattern to add texture. I really like this larger wing version rather than the smaller ones you often see on Tilda’s.

A Christmas angel also needs a little sparkle! I added diamanté to her neckline and hair buns. Speaking of which, the hair was made from alpaca wool and hand stitched in place.

I totally love how she turned out and I’ve already started my second version. This will be the same body, but a different colour way of skirt. I’ll also try a different hairstyle on the next.

I can’t believe that in a few weeks it will be time to start sorting out the Christmas decorations, I’d better get my sewing skates on!!