THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY FACE TUTORIAL

The Little Drummer Boy Pattern, Block 10.  From the 2020 Christmas Carol Mystery Quilt Sew Along.

Many have asked for some help in appliquéing this sweet little face. 

To follow the helpful hints below you will have to print out the actual size of his image which can be found in the PDF file I have created.  

For the printable PDF file and instruction

CLICK HERE

Below is duplicate information of what you can print out on the PDF link above. 

Hope you find this helpful.

The Little Drummer Boy's face is actually quite simple. The pattern covers most of this info but here are some helping hints.
The positioning of the Cap and facial features can make a big difference.  The distance between the eyes and how far down or up you locate them render completely different expressions.  The pattern shows positioning but here i have scanned his head.  If you print this out the image should measure 2.75w x 2.56h.  It will match up with your pattern templates.
You may have seen the tutorial i posted here on this Blog,  and also on my FB Page and the Mystery Quilt FB Page about using vinyl or a sheet protector, and a dry or wet erase marker.  This works perfectly for the Face.

• Place your vinyl over this face image and trace the shapes and details.  
• Once you have your appliqué pieces cut out, position as directed on pattern.  Place this traced vinyl over the head,  carefully lift one end and then line up the Cap & Scarf in line with your traced vinyl.
• Get your head and Cap stitched in place as directed in the pattern.
• Reposition the vinyl over head.  Position Eye Circles and stitch them on with the large dark blue French knots.  With a disappearing ink marker, lightly mark nose, mouth and a bit of the hair using the traced vinyl as your guide.   Stitch as directed in pattern

Here are some additional hints:

• Fabric:  I like to use cotton for appliquéd faces rather than wool.   Stitches are better defined on cotton for a face.  For The Little Drummer Boy i used medium weight Monks Cloth in the color Nut Shell.  I carry this on my website.  This color is a nice golden skin tone.  You can use any cotton skin tone that you might have.  Fuse it well.
• Eye Circles:  Bluish/Grey wool was used.  Cut out the Eye Circles with your fusible webbing, pressing the webbing to the back of the wool a bit longer than usual.  
• Mouth:  You can stitch with floss or cut out a tiny rectangle of fused wool and round it on the ends.   Hold in place with a few slip stitches in a matching color sewing thread.
• Nose is stitched with thin black quilting thread, one stitch down and one short stitch over.
• And the powder rouge for his cheeks is a must.  It is the finishing touch.  Apply lightly a little at a time and blend.