Cross stitching patterns by Funk and Weber Designs

Needlework Nutshell: FOBulous Fob Finishing Tutorial
	Step 1 Stitch designs on front and back of fobulous fabric. Backstitch around the perimeter of each. I like to use pearl cotton for this, size 12, 8, or 5 depending on the fabric, and I sometimes backstitch over 3, 4, or 5 threads instead of 2, pulling the stitches somewhat tightly. To distinguish the edge stitching, I've used blue for backstitches and will use orange for the whip stitches.
	Step 2 Trim the fabric to 1/2-inch beyond backstitching and press toward the back. If you've used a pulled backstitch, it's probably enough to finger press the fabric. A hot iron works, too. Align the front and back fabrics, wrong sides together. Think sandwich: the backstitches are the crust.
	Step 3 Begin in one corner. Match the backstitches from the two fabrics, and whip them together. Not sure what a whip stitch is? Slip your needle upward, under the bottom backstitch, then under the top backstitch, being sure not to catch any fabric. You're picking up the backstitches only. Leave a 4- to 6-inch tail to secure later.
	Step 4 Now bring your needle up through the next 2 backstitches, and on and on and on. How simple is that?! Your working thread will look a bit like a rope as it spirals around the backstitches.
	Step 5 If you're attaching a cord or ribbon to your fob, knot the ends and sandwich the knot between the front and back layers. Take extra stitches around, over, or through the knot to secure it. Continue whipping until you have 3 sides stitched. Stop. Instead of using cord or ribbon, I strung beads and a swivel hook onto a split ring. I whipped the split ring onto one corner, using extra stitches to secure it.
	Step 6 Fill your fob with batting, fiberfill, plastic pellets, rice, beans, lavender, or something else. Some people add a quarter or nickel to weight the fob. You could add a magnet. Finish whipping the backstitches, then secure and hide the tails. For a fancier fob, add beads to each or select whip stitches. Or charms. Or both. Or go back and whip in the opposite direction with a different color fiber. Work some needle lace around the edges. So many FOBulous possibilities!
	Step 7 Like a kid stretching the time before bed, I wasn't ready to stop, so I did some arthroscopic stitchery. Okay, there was no arthroscope, but I cinched the sides of the square in by going through a tiny opening in the center of the crescent. With my strong beading thread (Fireline) and a needle, I went in through the center opening, looped around one edge (between the backstitches and whip stitches so it can't be seen), went back through the middle of the fob, looped around the opposite edge, and came out the center where I started. I pulled until the sides indented, then tied my thread. I did the same to the other sides, and to the centers of the crescents. Now I'm done.

Mike and Jen Funk Weber
Funk & Weber Designs
35232 W Pinochle Trail
Sutton, AK 99674
(360) 546-2800
mail@funkandweber.com

Needlework Nutshell: FOBulous Fob Finishing Tutorial