How to Make a Fabric Wrapped Tree Ornament

Fabric wrapped Christmas tree ornaments complement any decorating style. These delightfully creative ornaments can be tailored to any design you choose and are ideal for creating a whimsical tree to please children and adults alike.

Things You'll Need

• 3-inch Styrofoam ball
• Fabric
• 1/2-inch wide decorative braid
• 1/4-inch wide decorative braid
• Decorative cord and cap
• Tassel
• Hot glue gun
• Glue sticks
• Fabric glue

Instructions

1. Select the fabric for your ornament. Choose traditional Christmas fabrics such as green or red prints to create a traditional Christmas ornament, or bold children's prints, such as toys and favorite characters, for ornaments that appeal to children. Select delicate rose and lace fabric patterns for a touch of romance. Choose decorative ribbons and cords that complement the fabric design.

2. Cut four 3/4-inch circles from the fabric. Mark the center of the circle with a quilter's pin. Fold the circle in half and then in half again to locate the exact center. Pin one fabric circle to the Styrofoam ball and spread the fabric over the ball. Pin with quilter's pins 1/8 to 1/4 inch from the raw edges.

3. Pleat as necessary to smooth the fabric over the ball. Apply a thin strip of fabric glue under the edges of the fabric and press in place. Remove pins when the fabric is glued securely.

4. Repeat with the other fabric circles, centering so that the edges meet up perfectly around the center of the ball. Adjust as necessary and glue in place.

5. Apply a strip of hot glue around the ball where the raw edges of the fabric meet. Add a 12-inch section of 1/2-inch decorative trim. Cut the 1/4-inch trim in half and glue to the ball in the opposite direction creating four equal sections.

6. Attach decorative cord to the cap and tie off. Glue the cap to the ornament with hot glue. Glue the tassel to the bottom of the ornament. Hang from the tree or display on wreaths or garlands.

Tips & Warnings

• Use fabric scraps to create fabric wrapped ornaments.

• Try silks and velvets in rich shades of burgundy or purple.

• Use miniature toys or bells in place of the traditional tassel.

• Experiment with fabrics and designs to create one-of-a-kind ornaments suitable for gift giving or to display on your tree.