Organza Shadowbox Ornament

Illuminate your holiday decor with this unique shadowbox ornament! Two layers of sheer embroidered organza create a beautiful scene with depth and dimension. When lights shine through, this wintry scene becomes magical!

Wind a bobbin with the same thread you'll be using for the top of the embroidery.

Since the designs for this ornament are stitched on sheer organza, the embroidery will be visible from both the front and back.

There are a couple of different kinds of water-soluble stabilizer that we recommend. One is clear and plastic, and that brand is Sulky Ultra Solvy. The other is soft and fibrous, called Vilene. Both will work very well. Vilene is used in this demonstration.

Use a size 11 or 75/11 sharp sewing needle. A sharp sewing needle has a smaller, finer point than an embroidery needle. That means it will make smaller holes in the stabilizer.

Lightly spray the stabilizer with temporary spray adhesive, and smooth it onto the back of the organza.

Hoop the stabilizer firmly. Make sure it is nice and tight with no wrinkles.

This design consists of two files, one for each layer. Load the "a" file onto the embroidery machine, and embroider the design.

After the embroidery is finished, cut away the excess stabilizer.

Repeat to stitch out piece "b" on organza in the same way.

Follow the instructions on the stabilizer's packaging to remove the excess stabilizer. For Vilene, soak the organza pieces in water for a few moments.

Let the organza air dry, then press using a pressing cloth between the iron and the embroidery, with the iron set on a low heat setting.

To assemble the ornament, first lay each organza panel face up, and mark the center top of the design using an air erase pen.

Lay piece "a" face up over the inner hoop of the hand embroidery hoop.

Place the outer hoop over the fabric, so that the mark lines up with the center of the hoop screw. Press firmly so that the fabric lays smooth and taut. Tighten the hoop screw. Do not trim the edges.

Repeat this step for design "b".

Lay the embroidery hoops with the raw edge of the fabric up, and trim the excess fabric. Try to get as close to the hoop's edge as possible.

On the back of the hoop, containing design "a", apply hot glue by running a line of glue along the edge of the hoop.

Attach the front of the embroidery hoop, containing design "b", to the back of the design "a" hoop, and press firmly for ten seconds.

To finish the ornament, measure and cut a piece of ribbon to wrap around the outside of the embroidery hoop. Use hot glue to attach the ribbon to the hoop.

Slide a ribbon through the hoop screw to create a hanging loop for the ornament, to display it in a window of on the Christmas tree.