DIY Valentines Gnome: Meet Gnomeo (Free Pattern)

Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love and show appreciation for your special someone. Instead of traditional gifts, why not surprise your valentine with a unique and heartfelt present? A Valentines Gnome!

In this DIY tutorial, we’ll guide you through creating your own adorable Valentine’s gnome—a charming symbol of affection and a creative way to express your love.

Handmade gifts have a special touch that can’t be replicated, and crafting a gnome adds a personal and whimsical element to your Valentine’s Day surprise.

So, let’s dive into the magical world of gnomes and spread some love!

Materials Needed

• Red felt or fabric (30cm x 30cm)
• Glitter foam (25cm x 15cm)
• Scrap material for shoe soles (2 x 5cm x 5.7cm squares)
• Foam polystyrene egg (13.5cm x 11cm)
• Decofoam (round) polystyrene shape (50mm)
• Pantyhose (natural or any color)
• Small bag of hobby fill
• Pipe cleaner (optional)
• Trim of your choice (85cm)
• Small silicone bands
• Faux fur (small amount)
• Small hearts (7-10)
• Craft flowers (small bunch)

Tools Needed

• Craft knife
• Pair of scissors
• Needle and thread
• Hot glue gun with glue

Instructions: How To Make A Valentines Gnome

Now that we have all our materials and tools ready, let’s dive into the step-by-step instructions to create your adorable Valentine’s gnome.

Cutting and Preparation:

• Cut out the paper pattern. Adjust the size if desired, such as making a shorter peak.
• Cut the body, shoes, hat peak, and small circle from your main fabric. Ensure the fabric is a no-fray material. Cut the arms and hat brim from glitter foam.

Making the Nose and Hands:

• Cut three pieces of pantyhose (single thickness).
• Take the first piece of pantyhose and fill it with hobby fill. Finish by securing it with a silicone band. Repeat for the other hand.
• Repeat the process using more fill to make a bigger nose.

Making the Hat:

• Apply glue along the long edge of the hat peak. Place the pipe cleaner (if using) and ensure there is enough room for a seam.
• Glue along the outer edge next to the pipe cleaner. Fold over the opposite side and hold it together for a few seconds.
• Softly stretch the bottom edge of the peak (where the brim will be attached) to give it a slight flare.
• Fold the brim in half and make a small snip in the middle. Unfold, turn halfway, fold again, and snip, creating a small cross in the center.
• Position the peak onto the brim and carefully glue it together. Take your time as this step can be fiddly.
• Add trim, embellishments, and hobby fill as desired.
• Carefully stretch the brim to give it a wavy and characterful appearance.

Making the Body:

• Hold the large polystyrene ball on the fabric. Ensure there is more material on one side than the other.
• Put a little glue on the fabric where the middle of the ball is and stick it down.
• Fold the rest of the material around the ball, pulling firmly to cover the entire ball. Glue at the middle, aligning the edges at the top and bottom. Secure the edge with glue.
• On the shorter end, sew a gathering stitch close to the edge.
• Put some glue in a circle on the top of the ball. Pull the gathering thread to make the fabric sit nicely around the bottom of the ball. Hold for a few seconds.
• Finish off the sewing and cut the thread.
• Glue the small circle over the gathered end to tidy it up.
• At the other end of the ball, put some more glue around the top part of the ball. Ease the fabric up so that the center part of the material on the ball looks smooth. Twist the material and wind a silicone band around it to finish it off. Trim if necessary.

Making the Arms:

• Take a hand (already made) and trim off the excess pantyhose, leaving a little bit at the end.
• Put a small amount of glue at the front, in the middle of the triangle (with the longest side as the front). Place the hand there, ensuring the silicone band is hidden by the material and won’t be visible on the other side.
• Glue each side on the front edge next to the hand. Fold the triangle in half, glue up the edge, and hold the sides together to create a sleeve. Repeat for the other arm.
• Add trim and embellishments, making sure to do opposite arms.

Making the Shoes:

• Cut the foam egg in half to create two shoes.
• Hold each half egg on the material with the curved side up, next to the material. Position it to ensure there is excess fabric on all sides.
• Glue the front (pointed end) on the top, then push the fabric down and around, easing in the material and avoiding bumps.
• Repeat the process for the back and sides, ensuring the fabric goes all the way to the edge. Neatness is key for a tidy shoe appearance.
• Trim off the excess fabric and repeat for the other shoe.
• Find a scrap of material for the soles. Glue each shoe down and trim off the excess.
• Add trim and embellishments. Make sure to join the inside of the shoes, with the rounder end at the back.

Attaching the Beard, Nose, and Arms:

• Cut out the beard square from your chosen faux fur, being careful to only cut the base of the fabric and not the fur itself.
• Trim the bottom into a V shape if desired. Position the beard onto the body, ensuring the seam edge is off to the side, and glue it on.
• Trim the excess from the nose, leaving a little bit.
• Place a small amount of glue on the top of the beard and stick on the nose. Make sure the silicone band end is pointing upwards, as it will be covered by the hat.
• Position the arms on each side, ensuring the side join is covered and the embellishments are on the outsides. Check to see if the arms look even. Glue them at the top and down the side if they are sticking out.

Attaching the Shoes:

• Place the feet in front of you, ensuring the fronts are facing you and the trim joins are in the middle.
• Sit the body on top to determine where to glue the shoes. The front of the body should be facing you. Avoid putting the body too far back as it may cause the gnome to fall backward. Think about balance.
• Put some glue on the body where the shoe needs to be placed. Push the body onto the shoe where the glue is and hold for a few seconds. Repeat for the other side.
• If your gnome is off balance and falling back, add more glue at the front where the body meets the shoe. Hold the body down and forward until the glue dries. Do this on both sides.

Attaching the Hat and Finishing Touches:

• Place the hat on your gnome, ensuring the seam is at the back or on the desired side.
• Hold the hat on but lift up the front brim. Put glue along the front, just above the nose (where the silicone band is). Push down the brim and hold for a few seconds.
• Turn your gnome around and glue inside the hat around the edge. Pull down and hold for a few seconds.
• Decorate as desired.

Free Pattern Download

If you’re eager to get started on creating your Valentine’s gnome, “Gnomeo,” I have a special offer for you. You can download the detailed written instructions for free, which will serve as your handy guide throughout the gnome-making process. Simply click the link below to access your free instructions and begin crafting your very own “Gnomeo.”

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For those who prefer a more detailed visual demonstration, I’ve also created a comprehensive video tutorial. This tutorial provides step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure that your “Gnomeo” turns out just the way you want. You can download the video tutorial for a one-time fee of $7.99.

Whether you choose the written instructions or opt for the video tutorial, I’m confident that you’ll find joy in the process of creating your own handmade Valentine’s gnome, “Gnomeo.” So let your creativity flow, gather your materials, and embark on this delightful gnome-making adventure!

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing your adorable Valentine’s gnome!

This handmade gift is sure to bring a smile to your valentine’s face and show them just how much you care.

The personalized touches and love put into creating this unique gnome make it a truly special present. Remember to add your own creative flair with embellishments, trim, and even a bunch of craft flowers.

Enjoy the process of making and gifting this charming gnome, and remember to tag us in your social media posts!

Where to Buy Materials

• United States:
  • Felt and Craft Stores: Joann or Michaels
  • Glitter Foam: Amazon or Hobby Lobby
  • Polystyrene Shapes: Hobby Lobby or Walmart
  • Pantyhose and Silicone Bands: Target or Walmart
  • Hobby Fill and Trim: Joann or Michaels
• Australia:
  • Felt and Craft Stores: Spotlight or Lincraft
  • Glitter Foam: Eckersley’s or CraftOnline
  • Polystyrene Shapes: Spotlight or Bunnings
  • Pantyhose and Silicone Bands: Big W or Kmart
  • Hobby Fill and Trim: Spotlight or Lincraft
• New Zealand:
  • Felt and Craft Stores: Spotlight or The Warehouse
  • Glitter Foam: The Mad Scrapper or Craftables
  • Polystyrene Shapes: Spotlight or Bunnings
  • Pantyhose and Silicone Bands: The Warehouse or Kmart
  • Hobby Fill and Trim: Spotlight or The Warehouse