It is the time of the year when we all look for simple Christmas gift ideas. Over the years I shared quite a few Christmas sewing tutorials on my blog: Easy Christmas ornaments from upcycled denim, Christmas Bauble coaster, Scandinavian Christmas ornaments, quilted fabric basket, mini house gift box and Sustainable Fabric Gift Wrapping Ideas.
As much as I love making those, I must admit that each of them takes time to complete. This year my sewing time is rather limited, so I came up with an idea for using my scraps for Christmas ornaments that don´t require sewing machine or hand stitching. Today I invite you to make a super easy and quick Christmas ornament from leftover pieces of fabric. Let´s start!
You will need (all measurements are width x height):
- Fabric: (2 pcs) 3" wide x 3 1/2" long (7.6 x 8.9cm)
- Double sided fusible web: (1) 3" wide x 3 1/2" long (7.6 x 8.9cm) (I use Lite Steam-A-Seam 2)
- Twine: (1) 13" (33cm) and (1) 9" (22.9cm)
- Wooden bead: (1) 5/8" (1.6cm) in diameter
- a sharp thick needle (I use a Milward Mattress Repair needle (by Milward), 10" (25cm) long x 2.4mm thick) or Sewing awl
- a rotary cutter, quilting ruler and cutting mat.
Please note that Steps 1-3 are for the Lite Steam-A-Seam. If using another brand of double sided fusible web, follow the manufacturer´s instructions.
1. Peel off one of the liners from the double sided fusible web. Place the sticky side to the wrong side (WS) of one of the fabric pieces.
If needed quickly pass your DRY iron securing the paper with fusible to the fabric.
2. Peel off remaining paper liner and stick the second fabric piece of fabric on the fusible (right side of the top fabric is UP).
3.Press for 10-215 sec when using cotton fabric (cotton iron setting and steam). Let it cool.
4. Trim the interfaced piece to 2 3/4" x 3 1/4" (7 x 8.3cm).
5. Cut (5) strips 1/2" x 3 1/4" (1.3 x 8.3cm). Use a rotary cutter. Make sure you have a new blade as it makes a huge difference for a clean cut.
6. Trim the height of the (3) strips:
(2) 1/2" x 2 1/2" (1.3 x 6.4cm), (1) 1/2" x 2" (1.3 x 5.1cm)
You will have 5 strips of different height:
(2) 1/2" x 3 1/4" (1.3 x 8.3cm) - Long
(2) 1/2" x 2 1/2" (1.3 x 6.4cm) - Medium
(1)1/2" x 2" (1.3 x 5.1cm) - Short
7. Using a small quilting ruler make 2 markings on each strip (at the top and bottom) in the middle at 1/4" (0.6cm) from the top and bottom edges.
8. Using a thick needle or an sewing awl pierce the holes in the strips right on the marks.
9. Thread needle with a 9" piece of twine and pull the thread though the holes in the strips in the following order: Long, Medium; Short; Medium; Long. If using directional prints, pay attention to the pattern placement (this is going to be the bottom of the ornament).
10. Tie the ends of the twine as close as possible to the edge of the fabric.
11.Thread both ends in the needle and pull the needle through the bead.
12. Secure the bead with a knot and trim the twine ends as desired. I prefer to leave them long approx. 1 1/2" - 1 3/4" (3.8 - 4.5cm).
13. Repeat steps 9 - 10 for the top of the ornament. Tie a knot at the ends for to create a hanging loop.
Your ornament is ready!
You can also play with the length of the 1/2" wide strips.
For example, I used (5) strips of various lengths to create an angel ornament:
(1) 4 1/2" (11.4 cm) - Long
(2) 3 1/2" (8.9 cm) - Medium
(2) 3" (7.6cm) - Short
Here is the placement of the strips Medium, Short, Long, Short, Medium. Assemble the ornament in the same way as the previous one.
These ornaments are quite addictive to make as they are so simple and quick. I made only a few as I ran out of the fusible.
You can use them as a tree decoration.
They will adorn any gift wrap and add a perfect handmade touch to a present.
Happy crafting!♥
P.S If you make ornaments from this tutorial and share your made items on social media, please tag me at @nordiccrafter and use the hashtag #nordiccrafterpatterns so I can admire your work!