A couple years back I participated in Heather’s ornament exchange, as part of Handmade Christmas 2010.
I am SO glad I did. It was SO much fun, and completely pulled me out of my comfort zone of No Sewing.
I do not sew.
Well, I guess I do now. 
I must have known I’d love this, because I signed up for the maximum of five. I make five ornaments, I get five in return. Then I told Heather (because I love her and because she organized this) that I would make one for her too. So, six.
What will I make, what will I make? What have I gotten myself into?
So, I’d give anyone who reads regularly or knows me, a HALF a guess as to what I would make.
Okay, onto the tutorial.
Gather your tools: Embroidery thread, sharp scissors, a needle, a chopstick.
Gather your material: Felt and stuffing.
Gather your inspiration: Dachshunds Basil, Jake and Elwood.
Basil !
Jake !
Elwood !
um, Elwood giving me the side eye.
Elwood!
ah… the inspiration is my favorite. 
Draw your shape, in this case, a dachshund. make a stencil. Ink an outline onto felt.
Cut out your template. You will use as a guide to cut out all doxies.
You need two pieces of felt for each dachshund.
Fold over a piece of felt, pin down template doxie, cut.
Cut two ears.
Now you are ready to start sewing! I used the blanket stitch:
Bring the threaded needle from the back of the fabric through to the front at the desired distance from the edge – this determines the width of the stitch. I start from the inside the pieces of felt, so the knot doesn’t show.
To sew the first stitch, put the needle into the fabric from the front, the same distance from the edge as the thread came through in Step 1 and to the left. The distance between the two should remain consistent. When pulling needle / thread through, I stick my finger out to catch the loop before I pull all the way through.
Pass the needle through the loop and pull tight.
To sew the second stitch, put the needle through the back, at the same distance as the first, pull needle through to front, catching loop with finger and pass needle through loop. Pull tight. Repeat!
Then do the same stitching on each ear!
I actually stitched the ears first, then when I got to the top of each doxie head, I’d stitch the ears on as I went along… an ear for each side, flappable.
For these dachshund shapes, I began at the left of the belly, by the back leg, and sewed away from the belly all around the dachshund.
I take out the needle, but leave the thread in. After you stuff, you can keep sewing!
Ready to stuff!
Use very small amounts of stuffing at one time…
This is where the chopstick comes in.
Poke the stuffing into the leg, the tail if possible (the tail sticks up on its own), the head, front leg.
You need to hold the belly together to finish sewing…
Then sew a nose.
After the nose, stick the needle inside the head, poking out where you want the eye.
Sew an eye, poke through to the other side, sew another eye.
Well, Hello.
Hello Everyone!!
Next, pick another color of felt and cut a scarf.
Wrap around doxie, sew down in the middle, add a button. I used a silver charm on each one.
Using 1/8th inch satin ribbon, sew a hanger loop in the middle of the doxie back.
Completed Dachshund!
I made two for each recipient of the ornament exchange. I estimated they took about 2 1/4 hours each, and as I got into a groove, it was under 2 hours per pup.
I also made a few for a couple friends with dachshunds.
This one is custom:
I wish I had the time to make them for all the doxies I know!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS !
{ 117 comments… read them below or add one }
that is so freaking cute!!! great work! i have made some catnip toys in the past but not with as much care because i knew they would be ripped. i’d love to make these.
Thanks!!
oh, yes, you kinda want to leave the catnip a little sloppy, so they can get into them!!
Wow. You did such an amazing job with the ornaments. They’re too cute!
I can manage basic projects with a sewing machine & by hand but nothing too elaborate.
Thank you!!
thats some serious craftiness! They look adorable!! I will be saving this tutorial.
LC
thanks, Lindsay! I hope you make some with this, I want to see!!
Little miss creative! I do not sew…
ha! I don’t really either !!
This is about to get adapted into a Lab shape! Yay!
AWESOME !! I want to see !!
I do not sew but those are adorable and super easy! Love it!
they really are easy!!
Your dog is adorable! I love the faces! I don’t sew but watching you makes me wanna!
aw, thanks… and Basil says thanks!
you should try these, it’s fun and pretty easy!
you go girl! That’s great. I do actually sew. I grew up watching my mom sew – she’s unfreakingbelievable. Her mother was a seamstress. I don’t have a ton of patience though is my downfall. But I’ve made most of the curtains and pillows in our house.
that’s awesome! my mom is a sewer too, she made many of my clothes when I was little – really cool clothes!!
These are SO cute!!
Next year you should figure out how to make just as cute pug ones…..
Thanks, Kelly!! yes, I think PUGS would be just as popular…
Oh my gosh, they are too cute! I saw the ones you sent to Caitlin… adorable!
I don’t sew, minus buttons. I tend to ruin things when I try to sew them
I don’t even sew buttons…
Those are SO AWESOME! I can’t believe how long they take to make! I totally understand that you can’t make them for all the doxies you know because of this. That’s a commitment! Maybe I’ll attempt this project, but I’m admittedly intimidated!
you are next on my list for a Custom Clyde… <3
OMG these are the most adorable ornaments I’ve ever seen! You are quite talented!!
hee !!
thanks! as you can see, I had some pretty CUTE inspiration! 
These are so freaking cute they made me cry! Well, maybe the crying was from being pregnant but these are adorable just the same! My mom has an Advent Calender for Christmas with similar felt figures and you pin them into the Christmas tree scene each day. We are missing two figures so I think, after watching this, I will make them! Thank you sista friend!
<3 Love You, Sarah…
Those are seriously adorable! I love the step by step because you make it look easy!
they really are pretty easy, and if I AM saying that, you KNOW it’s true!!
Was your site overloaded with cuteness. Are you kidding me?! This is absolutely the most precious things. AWW!!
Do you do jack russells, lol?
hmm… give me some Jack Russell time… perhaps for next year?
This is SO CUTE! I passed it along to my friend, Hilary, who has two doxies. I wonder if these will be on her tree next year. Thanks for sharing!
oh, I HOPE SO !!
thanks for sharing !!
These doxies turned out just adorable!!!I am so proud
of you!! For not knowing how to sew….you did a terrific
job and I know you had fun watching them take shape…
..great tutorial….Love ya….
Mom, I LOVE YOU !! I SO could not have done this without you !!
<3 <3 <3 XXOXO !
Jason and I had SUCH a fun time yesterday, can't wait to see you again in a few !
MAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGIE
<3 <3
SO cute! I love that they are wearing scarves.
but of course!!
LOVE it!!
I have to make a cocker spaniel one!
DOOO IIIIT !!
I don’t sew at.all. But these ornaments are definitely a good excuse to start doing it! Way too cute!!!!
I don’t sew either !! you can do this !!
TOO cute. Bookmarking this!
Thanks, Anna!
That is sooo cute! Thank you for the instructions. Next year I really want to make my own ornaments.
um, here’s a hint, Lisa – START EARLY ! like, now!
KRIS! I am so impressed and think these are the most adorable ornaments I’ve ever seen. I loved reading this post – Elwood’s side eye. Haha! And flappable ears. I bet you never thought you’d use that phrase on your blog. You could start an Etsy shop with these little guys.
xoxo
aw, thanks, my friend! <3 yep, flappable ears. gotta have them. and Elwood's got the side eye perfected, don't you think??
This is super duper cute! I don’t have a pet, but this would be so great as a gift to someone who does
Happy Holidays, and yes, I used to sew, stitch, name it 
Thanks, Kiran! I think dachshund people, especially, are a rare breed
… crazy for their pups!
I’m so in love with these!! Great job!!
aw, Thanks, Jessica!
Saw them on Caitlin’s blog. So cute! Great job, and it’s nice that you ventured into unknown territory. I can handsew. I can’t really use the machine.
Thanks!!
yeah, hand sewing is fun, once I got the hang of it and kinda found a groove!
Awwwww. I love them. You are so crafty and talented girly! Add it to your list, girl. Jill of all Trades.
ha! Thanks, sweets!
So cute! Thanks for the tutorial. I have a Dachshund, too, and it would be lovely to have an ornament of him!
ah! what’s your dachshund’s name?? I’ll add them to my DOXIE PAGE !!
These are so freaking cute! Next year you should consider making them ahead of time and selling them!
THANK YOU !!
Yep, I’m now considering it… 
THESE ARE SO CUTE!!!!!!! I can’t believe you were worried about pulling this off, these look like you are a sewing pro!!
Thanks, Jennifer!!
I wouldn’t say a PRO… 
I had fun, though!
Adorable!! What a fun project for the tree!
Thanks, Sarah! it was fun!
you are SO dang crafty!!! wow. love it.
Thanks, Elise!! It was fun!
girlfriend! These are the cutest things ever!! I’m terrible at sewing, in fact, my husband is better at it than me. shameful. I’d love to make one of these as a Yorkie for my little Taxi
I may not be able to sew, but I like glue 
ha! actually, I think Jason sews better than me too!!
it would be easy to make this into a Yorkie!! 
These are adorable! I don’t really sew but I would love to make some of these ornaments! I too have a doxie and would love to adorn my tree with these
wouldn’t that be FUN ? a big ol’ tree FULL of doxies!!
what’s your dachshund’s name? I can add your blog to my DOXIE PAGE !!
You are so flippin crafty! I took a sewing class once. Note that it was singular class, I sucked.
Basil is so dang handsome, yay for pups!!
Basil says Thank You ! and also HELLO to Linx!
I saw your ornaments over on Caitlin’s blog and you did SUCH A good job. Very talented
Thanks, Paige!
I was SO excited when I made the Maggie one for Caitlin… with her spots and all… 
These are ADORABLE! You are a sewer at heart. Nice work!
Thanks, Erin!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU !!
I love these sooo much! You should sell them, cause I bet you the doxie lovers of the world would buy them! I would! Plus, I love your photos of your dogs…Molly gives me the “side eye” quite often :/
yep, the doxies have that “side eye” down! I am thinking of an Etsy store for a DIFFERENT item, but can probably add these!
That is the most adorable thing I have ever seen, you are so talented!! P.S. I count my steps as I run too…maybe, we are OCD!
we are!! and that is okay!! most of the time I am counting and don’t even realize it…
wow, amazing job for someone who doesn’t sew. i’m impressed. the only thing i can really sew is a hem. haha.
ha! I can’t really even do that…
So cute! You sure make it look easy with the step by step instructions. I almost think I could do it!
Thanks!! and yes – you TOTALLY could !!
definitely no on the sewing (though I wish I did!), and man—you give Martha a serious run for her money.
AW ! that’s a definite compliment! these little weenies were pretty fun!
You are so talented! These look absolutely adorable. You should open an ETSY shop.
THANKS, Amanda! I am actually thinking about it, for something ELSE. Hmm…
Ok, so I totally raved about these on Twitter, but didn’t leave a comment!! I absolutely freaking LOVE these with all of my heart!! They are so cute and so creative!
I sew some. I used to sew a lot when I was younger – my cousin and I (7 months apart, grew up like sisters) took sewing classes together. I made all my clothes in 7th grade. Now I’m not so confident, though. I sew aprons and sell them on Etsy. Also I sewed felted stockings for me and J. His is a dino claw and mine is a ballet slipper! hehe
Thanks, Christina !! they were pretty fun to make, and I love thinking of them all traveling around the country…
I am going to go look at your Etsy shop now!
It’s http://www.etsy.com/shop/DinneratXtinas
And I totally forgot to add a comment about the “side eye.” I love that you captured that and pointed it out. Corky does it too and it CRACKS me up!!!
i admire your patience and creativity.
Those are awesome! And your “models” are precious!
THANK YOU!!
Oh my goodness, I love them!
I want them! 
And I can’t believe you made so many! 
Hi just stumbled upon your website… Just love the Christmas ornaments. Might just be a few adorning our tree this year! Will send you photos if we manage to get round to it!
The Down Under Long Dogs
Evie, Quincy, Podge & Meah (who is not a Dachshund, but eats like one) and the Slave Libbie
hello Libbie, Evie, Quincy, Podge and Meah!!
Basil sends *wag wag wags* too. Thanks for stopping by and saying hello, and if you do make the ornaments PLEASE share photos! 
they are really fun to make.
I have added you to my dachshund page –> DOXIES
Cheers!
These are so cute! I hope to make some this year for my friend who has 4 Doxie rescues ! ….and if I get even more creative I will make some out of “organic” material in the shape of an Italian Greyhound for my daughter-in-law..your tutorial makes this look easy…I hope I can do it
Wow, these are great. It’s March, but it takes me a long time to project. I have a dachshund/beagle (Teddy) and a corgi (Buddy). It would be so easy to do both of their shapes. Excellent idea!
you are smart to get started now!!
these are not difficult, but they DO take some time, for sure. Teddy and Buddy definitely fit the Long Dog shape – let me know how they turn out, maybe send a photo if you can? Cheers!
Thank you SO much for this lovely tutorial! I have three dachshunds so I guess you can figure out how many of these I will be making this year!
love, love, love your dachsies!!!! can’t wait to make these, thanks so much for sharing.
thank you Kristen!! enjoy!
Hiya~I came to your blog for a cupcake recipe and, being a dachshund lover, latched on to this post immediately…even before reading the cupcake recipe! I love this tut and will be pinning it to my Doxies! board on Pinterest. What a surprise and complete blessing this has turned out to be.
Thanks for this!
P.S. You may want to come have a gander at my board, https://pinterest.com/princessp60/ Please visit my Doxies! board…You might just find something you like! Going to finish ogling your blog now.
Oooohhhh! I just love this. I saw this on Pinterest as I follow Cathy Ds boards and I have got to make one, but in black for my 7-year-old Wonder Weiner – A. J (Astro-Jr). Might have to put a little cape on him too.
Wonder Wiener – I love it!! and it sounds like the felt version of Astro DOES need a cape… enjoy!!
Yay Susan! Please make a comment on a pin in my Doxie! board so I can be sure I’m following you back!
What a small world, eh Kristina?
Cathy D
yes! I love how social medias bring like minds together – in this case, us crazy dachshund ladies!!
“like”
hi Cathy!! so happy you found these, I sure had fun making them!
I LOVE your doxie page on pinterest… the dog sitting up – my childhood doxie (Hansel) did that, so cute! and the socks as new doxie puppy sweater tubes, we have done that too!
Cheers – hugs to a fellow Long Dog fan!
Thanks Kristina~Do you pinterest? Do you have a doxie board there? I want to make sure I follow it if you do.
Little Long Dogs Unite!! lol
YES I am on pinterest – here is my doxie board –
http://pinterest.com/spabettie/dachshunds/
and did you see all the links on my dachshund page here?
http://spabettie.com/basil/
lots of fun doxies…
You have a doxie mobile on your pin board! Hopefully mine will look similar (I think I’ll do it all doxies tho, no bones).
I did see your dachshund page. I started going through them, one by one!
This has sure been fun!
C
Gah! I soooo have ADD…lol I wanted to say (before my mind so rudely distracted me), that I plan on making a mobile for our new little grandbaby due in January, and I’m going to use doxies following your tutorial. I think it’ll be adorable!
Cathy D.
ah, that sounds SO fun!! little grandbaby will love it, get them started on dachshunds early!
I have a red dachshund myself, and its so funny because when he looks at us sideways we say “Oh, he’s giving us the side eye!” His name is chocolate love nugget. Mostly we just call him nugget. I love your dachshund ornaments. I’m a dog groomer and I’m going to start making them now to give to my clients as gifts for next year. I might make big ones out of fleece for their pups to use as toys.
hi Aubrey!
aren’t dachshunds the best? and they are so good at giving the side eye!
I love that you will be making these for your clients – they will LOVE them! and bigger versions for doggies? perfect! (mine would just rip it apart, however…)
Basil and Rosemary send wags,
Kristina
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