Here she is for you, finally!
A little ornament DIY to whip up if you still have to decorate your tree or if, like me, you like to add a little ornament tied to the top of your gifts. :) Enjoy!
I'm a fan of the traditional round ornament shape, especially this year, and wanted to make my own (quick!) version of it that had a handmade touch or two but was easy-peasy to put together - here's what I came up with!
Click here to download the free DIY pattern, so you can make one, too!
It comes with two original ornament design options/embroidery patterns.
The goodies/supplies you'll need:
- a piece of cotton to embroider on
- embroidery thread & needle
- a sewing machine
- coordinating fabric (for the back of the ornament)
- felt scraps
- pencil or disappearing ink pen
- sharp sewing scissors
- metal ornament-hanging hooks
Step 1: Print out the free embroidery pattern (that I made based on my own sketches for my ornaments just for you), and using a light table or window & your disappearing ink pen/pencil, trace the design onto a piece of cotton.
**Make sure you trace the entire design - including all of the outer outlines - onto your fabric, and leave about 2 inches or so of extra fabric around the outside of the pattern so it's easier to sew later. The extra fabric will also allow you to embroider with a small hoop - this helps speed things up!
Step 2: Embroider your design onto the cotton in your favorite colors!
Step 3: Once your embroidery is done, cut a piece of fabric for the back of the ornament the same size as your embroidered piece (with extra fabric around the ornament design). Place the front and backside of the ornaments wrong sides together - with the embroidery and bright side of the backing fabric each facing out.
Step 4: Using your sewing machine, stitch around the outer edge of the ornament (the grey edge on the pattern), leaving an inch or so open at the top so that it can be stuffed.
Step 5: Trim the extra fabric from the sides of your ornament, using your scissors, until there's about 1/4 of an inch on the outer edge, but keep the extra fabric on the top (open) section - you'll need about an inch, there.
Step 6: Stuff a teeny bit of stuffing into the ornament using your fingers or a skinny knitting needle. Make sure you don't overstuff your ornament, or the seams will buckle in, just put enough in to give it a little body & fluff it up!
Step 7: Using the pattern, cut 2 pieces of felt from your felt scraps in a coordinating color to be used at the top of the ornament. Take one of them, fold it in half hotdog-ways (lengthwise), and cut two slits in it with your sharp sewing scissors (this is to slip the metal hook into to hang it).
Don't cut all the way through the top and bottom, just simply make a slit on two places so that when you fold it back open, there are two side-by-side slits.
Step 8: Pin the front and back felt pieces onto the front and back of the top of the ornament (the piece with the slits will go in the back). Line up the edges and pin them together onto the ornament.
Step 9: Using your sewing machine, being very careful to keep the felt in place, stitch around all 4 edges of the felt piece. Now the top of the ornament is all in place! Just slip the metal hook into the slits on the back of the ornament, and she's ready to hang!
Cute and lovely, no? They look adorable, hung up!
Have fun ornament-making! :)
This is always the kind of thing I save for the last minute - lol - so hopefully it's helpful & inspiring to you, as you put the finishing touches on your home & gifts!
If you make an ornament, please link me up! I'd love to see!! :)
