Imagine sitting in a quiet house with a cup of hot cocoa while you create DIY felt christmas ornaments for beginners. These soft, cozy decorations add instant warmth to your tree. They look professionally made, but they are actually simple enough for a first-time sewer.
As a mom of three, I love slow stitching projects that don’t involve a huge mess of glitter or glue. My boys are usually wrestling in the living room, but this project lets me sit and craft in peace. It is the perfect way to create homemade tree decorations without dragging out the heavy sewing machine.
If you are wondering How to cut felt shapes without them looking jagged?, I have a secret trick for you in this post. This tutorial covers everything you need, including Hand stitched felt ornament patterns free for you to download.
📸 [Image-1: A stunning, high-resolution photo of the finished DIY Felt Ornaments, styled on a mantle or tree with twinkle lights.]
🎁 Free Download: Nancy’s Holiday Felt Patterns
Make this craft way easier! Click here to download my free PDF template so you get the perfect shape every time.
📝 Key Materials
Before we dive into the full supply list, here are the heavy hitters you need to grab for this project.
Wool-Blend Felt Sheets, 6-Strand Embroidery Floss, Embroidery Needle (Size 5), Poly-fil Stuffing, Printed PDF Template.
Supplies & Equipment
Consumables:
- Felt Sheets (I recommend a Holiday Color Palette).
- Embroidery Floss (Contrast colors look best).
- Poly-fil Fiberfill (Cotton balls work for flat ornaments).
- Ribbon or Twine (For the hanging loop).
Tools:
- Printer (For the pattern).
- Iron (Essential for the freezer paper method).
- Fabric Scissors.
- Needle Threader.
Step 1: Prep Your Patterns
First, download the free PDF template linked above. You can cut these out on regular paper, but I prefer the “Freezer Paper Method” for exact shapes. Trace your shapes onto the matte side of the freezer paper.
Step 2: Cut The Felt
Iron the freezer paper (shiny side down) onto your felt sheets. The heat temporarily bonds the paper to the fabric. This stabilizes the felt so it doesn’t wiggle while you cut.
📸 [Image-2: Close-up shot of an iron pressing the freezer paper onto a sheet of red felt.]
Cut along the lines of your drawing. You need two identical pieces of felt for every one ornament.
Step 3: Add Decorative Details
Before you sew the two halves together, you need to add the details. Take the front piece of felt and stitch on any buttons, beads, or smiles.
📸 [Image-3: Top-down view of the front felt piece with decorative white stitches being added.]
This is one of those Easy felt Christmas crafts with embroidery floss where you can get creative. Simple straight stitches look like snowflakes or stars. Do this now, so the knots stay hidden inside the ornament later.
Step 4: The Blanket Stitch
Place your back felt piece against the front piece. We will use a blanket stitch to seal them together. This stitch looks like a decorative border and holds the edges tight.
To do this, push your needle through both layers and pull the thread until a small loop remains. Pass your needle through that loop and pull tight to lock it. Repeat this around the edge of the shape.
📸 [Image-4: Macro shot showing the needle passing through the thread loop to create the blanket stitch.]
Don’t forget the hanger! When you reach the top of the ornament, fold your ribbon in half. Tuck the cut ends between the felt layers and stitch through them to secure the loop.
Step 5: Stuff and Close
Stop stitching when you have about one inch left open. It creates a small pocket for the stuffing.
Take small pinches of Poly-fil and push them inside using a pencil or your finger. Do not overstuff, or the seams will pucker and look messy. Once it is puffy, finish your blanket stitch to close the gap.
📸 [Image-5: The ornament being lightly stuffed with white poly-fil before the final stitches.]
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
_What needle do I use for felt?_
I recommend a Size 5 Embroidery Needle. It has a sharp tip to pierce the fabric easily, and the eye is large enough to fit thick embroidery floss. A dull tapestry needle will struggle to get through the felt layers.
_Acrylic felt vs. Wool felt for ornaments?_
Always choose Wool blend felt sheets (usually 20-35% wool) over 100% acrylic craft felt. Acrylic felt feels “squeaky,” pills easily, and stretches out of shape over time. Wool blend felt is soft, dense, and holds up as an heirloom decoration.
_How to blanket stitch felt ornaments_ if I’m a beginner?
Start slow and keep your stitch spacing even. You can make small dots on your thumb with a marker to use as a spacing guide. Watching a quick video while you work helps, but the rhythm comes naturally after the first few stitches.
_How to hide the knot in felt ornaments?_
Start your very first stitch by going through the inside of one layer only, so the knot sits between the two pieces of felt. When finishing, tie a knot close to the fabric, push the needle back inside the ornament, and poke it out an inch away. Snip the thread there, and the tail will vanish inside the stuffing.
Can I use these as _DIY ornament gift tags_?
Absolutely! These make adorable toppers for holiday presents. Just stitch the recipient’s initial onto the back of the ornament. It serves as a name tag and a bonus gift they can keep forever.
Wrapping Up
I hope this tutorial helps you enjoy a quiet afternoon of crafting. DIY felt christmas ornaments for beginners are the best way to slow down during the busy holiday rush. You get a moment of mindfulness, and your family gets a beautiful keepsake to hang on the tree year after year.
Happy Stitching!
Nancy
