Adorn your tree this year with a hand-sewn Cathedral Window tree ornament. Make them as gifts or use them to decorate packages this season. It’s a perfect take-with-you hand sewing project. It’s small and portable. And, they are a perfect way to use up scraps of fabric!
All you need are two pieces of fabric and a bit of ribbon. You can make this all by hand, or start the window using your sewing machine.
Yield: One (1) Ornament
How to Make a Cathedral Window Tree Ornament
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Active Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Difficulty: Confident Beginner
Learn how to make this Cathedral Window Christmas Ornament with our step-by-step instructions.
It's a perfect hand-sewing project to take with you on the go. And, is great for using up some of your scrap fabrics!
Credit to my sister, Bobbie, for streamlining the sewing process with these directions!
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Materials
- 6-1/2 inch square of fabric for the window frame / the main outside fabric
- 3-inch square of fabric for inside the window
- 6-inch piece of ribbon, yarn, or string for the ornament hanger
- Coordinating thread
Tools
- Hand sewing needle
- Embroidery scissors
- Iron
- Pressing surface
- Corner turner
- Optional: Sewing machine
Instructions
- Start by cutting a 6-1/2 inch piece of fabric for the main fabric for your ornament. I chose a red square. I like to call this the window frame fabric.
- Fold it in half making a rectangle.
- Sew a 1/4-inch seam allowance on both short ends of the rectangle. I used my sewing machine for this step, but it can also be done quickly by hand.
- Here is the rectangle with both short sides sewn closed.
- Take your rectangle and fold the two seams you just sewed to the center.
- Match the seams. This makes the rectangle into a square shape. I pin the seams together to match them. You can either have the seams open or nest the seams - it's your preference.
- Next, you want to sew along this open side.
- Leave about a 1-1/2 inch opening along the edge for turning the window frame fabric. I've marked where I stopped stitching and where I'm beginning the stitching again. NOTE: It is easier to have the opening off center, not where the seams match in the middle.
- Here is the seam sewn and I've marked where my opening is.
- Here is another view of the piece sewn and ready for trimming and turning. Look closely and you'll see the opening.
- Trim the corners to reduce the bulk of the fabric when you turn this right side out.
- Grab your corner turner and begin to turn the window frame right side out.
- Using your corner turner, gently nudge each corner to a sharp point. Making nice points will make it easier to make a nice center for your ornament.
- Here is the window frame with the corners all poked out. You can see where I have my opening for turning. I prefer it to be off-center. This makes it easier when pressing to turn the seam allowance to the inside. It will all be covered when we add our window fabric.
- Press this square flat.
- Go to your pressing surface and press each of the corners to the center. The goal is to have each point meet at the center, and that there is no gap between each of the triangles.
- Here I'm giving the square a final good press.
- The Cathedral Window Ornament is all pressed and ready for the next step!
- Now we are ready to make this into a Cathedral window! Here are the supplies you'll need: your pressed square, a center square, coordinating thread, needle, and embroidery scissors.
- Open the flaps to your square and place the ribbon for the hanger inside one corner. Stitch that securely to the base fabric
- Place the inside of the window centered in the flaps.
- We'll begin securing the center points in the center with a few stitches.
- Next, let's secure each of the corners. The inside fabric has raw edges. We want those edges to be secure under the flaps so that it doesn't ravel and show. Hand stitch about 1/4-inch from the corner in toward the center on each of the four corners.
- Here is a corner that didn't press all of the way closed. Just take your needle and pull the two sides together as you stitch
- Sew all four corners closed.
- Now we are ready to sew the curves in our window. I usually just finger-press them open as I sew. I pinned them here so it would be easier for you to see how the bias edges curve nicely open.
- Starting at one of the corners, blind hem stitch on the outside edge of each of the curves.
- Continue sewing all around the curves until the ornament is all stitched down.
- Here is the finished ornament ready to hang on your tree!
Recommended Products
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Tips and Ideas for making a Cathedral Window Christmas Ornament
- I like using a solid color for the outside of my Cathedral Window tree ornament and a print for the inside. The print can be small or large – both are fun looks.
- Get out your scrap bin and have fun finding pieces that will work to make this holiday ornament! Use scraps from a special project for friend or family member as a remembrance ornament for them.
- Leave the opening for turning the window frame fabric to the side of the center. This makes it easier when pressing and will be covered by the window fabric.
- Cut a few window frames and windows and place in a baggie or small bag with your needle and thread for a great project to take with you while waiting or traveling!
Browse through more Christmas project ideas on Create Whimsy.
