There is something special about making your own ornaments to decorate your tree. I make homemade Christmas ornaments each year. Sometimes they have a special meaning for an event that happened during the year, and sometimes it is just an inspiration I have or a technique I want to try. We’ve got some great ideas for DIY ornaments for Christmas.
Making your own ornaments gives you the opportunity to easily personalize each small work of art and gives you a chance to be creative during the busy holiday season. There is something about taking time out from a hectic time of year just to create.
Ornaments are a small piece of art that you make for yourself and to give to others. They can be made from a variety of materials and use many techniques. You can use paper or ribbon, paint them and glue pieces together. There are recipes for using salt dough and cookie cutters for making ones that look like cookies.
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Here are our ornament project ideas. Most involve fabric and stitching. Some are of these Christmas ornament crafts are easy, and some, well, are more complex like the Morovian Star English Paper Pieced ornament! All of these link to detailed instructions on how to make ornaments.
Make a Moravian Star Ornament
English paper pieced Moravian Star Ornaments made with diamonds are an adaptation of an 1830’s geometry lesson. The first known star, made in a German boys’ school had 110 points! This version is much simpler with 12 points, but still spectacular! Not a beginner project, but worth the effort if you are up to it!
Make a Fabric Honeycomb Ornament
Add some charm to your holiday decorations with a honeycomb ornament made from fabric. This craft project allows you to create a stunning three-dimensional ornament that resembles the intricate structure of a bee’s honeycomb. With just a few simple materials and some basic sewing skills, you’ll be able to create a beautiful and eye-catching decoration that will impress all your friends and family.
Make Sashiko Ornaments
Making Sashiko ornaments is a great way to see what the slow-stitch movement is all about. It’s slow stitch, to be sure, but the projects are so small you can complete them in short order.
Free downloadable pattern with four stitch designs.
Gift Box Ornaments
Why should the gifts only be under the tree? Make these adorable ornaments to go on your tree!
Make these quick and easy gift box ornaments with fabric scraps, heavy-duty double-sided interfacing and some ribbon. Perfect project even for beginners.
Scribble Bird Ornaments
No two birds are the same.
All you need is some scraps of fabric (preferably with fusible web already on the back), a little felt, a small piece of ribbon and one bead or sequin for the eye! Fuse the fabric, add some scribble stitching and you’ve got some adorable birds for your tree!
Scandinavian Star Ornament
Learn how to make a Scandinavian star ornament from fabric with our step-by-step tutorial for this no-sew tree ornament. You use four fabric strips to make these stars and can use one, two, three or four different fabrics! In this tutorial, I’m using four (4) fabrics from the same line, so the colors go well together.
English Paper Pieced Tree Ornament
Get some hexi EPP papers and some holiday inspired fabrics and make this simple English Paper Pieced tree ornaments. This is a quick and easy ornament project that can be done in just a few hours. Turn on your favorite holiday movie and get in the spirit stitching!
English Paper Pieced Wreath Ornament
Another simple, quick and easy ornament is the EPP Wreath ornament. Use your Hexi papers and some of your fabric scraps and sew this festive ornament in just an hour or so.
English Paper Pieced Star Ornament
A large English Paper Piecing (EPP) project can seem daunting. But a small project, such as an ornament, lets you try the technique on something easy. And it’s something that you will actually use! Not naming names, but some people always have a portable EPP project ready to go. Ahem. Here is how to make an EPP star ornament using diamonds.
Wool Appliqué Flower Ornament
Dress your tree up with colorful wool flower ornaments. This is a perfect project if you’ve been wanting to try your hand at wool appliqué. Or, if you have some small wool scraps left from a project. Pull out your embroidery floss and stitch! Free downloadable pattern.
Yarn Doll Ornament
Have some left over yarn scraps? All you need is a piece of cardboard and some yarn to make these adorable vintage-inspired yarn doll ornaments.
Felt Ornament Party
Gather some supplies, invite your friends and make some ornaments! Channy gathered felt, scissors, glue gun and glue, needle and thread and a variety of accessories. Serve some great food and drinks and see what your guests create at your felt ornament party! Most of all, have fun creating!
Enjoy these DIY Christmas ornament ideas? Browse through more DIY holiday projects on Create Whimsy.
