Pojagi Star Ornament Tutorial
This project is a great example of three-dimensional pojagi. It only uses the basic pojagi seam, but with great impact. It’s a fun project that looks more complicated than it is.
If you want to try a new technique, this is a great option because it doesn’t require a huge commitment. For more small pojagi projects, check out this collection of tutorials.
Materials
Fabric
Traditionally pojagi is made with silk or ramie fabrics. These are beautiful, but can be difficult to find. The sample is stitched in lightweight linen, which is a good alternative. If you know a dressmaker, you may be able to get some scraps to use.
Thread
Choose the thread to match the fabric you are using. For lightweight linen, size 8 perle cotton is a wonderful choice.
A contrasting colour is used and the stitches are part of the design.
Other things
- needle
- Hera marker
- small amount of stuffing
- lightweight cardboard for template
Cutting the pieces
Make a 1″ square template with cardboard, and trace with a Hera onto the linen. Be sure to leave 1/4″ seam allowance for each square. You will need five each of three different colours.
Cut them out and finger press the creases.
Making the stars
With the first colour, join two pairs using the pojagi seam. Notice that the stitching is done only on the edges of the squares, not in the seam allowance.
Join the upper squares of these pairs with a pojagi seam. The lower squares are not joined.
In the bottom opening, join the fifth piece. This makes the star for one side of the ornament.
Make a second star with another colour.
Assembling the ornament
Take one square of the third colour and join two sides of it to the edge of one of the stars.
Join the rest of the squares in the same way.
Join the other sides of the edge squares to the second star.
Leave one piece open.
Insert stuffing through this opening. Stuff it firmly.
Stitch the opening closed.
Tacking stitches
Bring thread up near the centre of one of the stars, but in fabric — not the hole in the centre.
Put it in at a place across the centre on one of the other pieces.
Bring the needle all the way through and out near the centre of the other star. Pull the thread firmly so that the centres of the stars are squeezed together. Take 4-5 stitches between the top and bottom, moving the needle around so that the stitches join different parts of the star. Don’t make them directly on top of each other.
Move the thread through the inside of the ornament, and come up at one of the inside points. In the same way, take a few stitches at the point of the star, pulling the thread firmly.
Gradually move around the star, tacking all five points.
Knot the thread, and bury the knot and the end of the thread on the inside.
The tacks pull the two sides together.
Tie a loop of thread, and it’s ready to hang!
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