How to Cross Stitch Religious Christmas Ornaments

Cross stitch ornaments can be colorful.

Religious cross stitch Christmas ornaments are popular on holiday trees. Not only are they enjoyable to make and beautiful to display, but they also can serve as reminders of the holy reason for the season. Learn how to cross stitch religious Christmas ornaments and create lovely decorations and family heirlooms to pass down through the years.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Religious cross stitch patterns
• Cross stitch fabric
• Embroidery floss
• Tapestry needle
• Felt fabric
• Fiberfill or other stuffing
• Christmas style trim and lace
• Plastic ornament frames
• Red, green, and gold ribbon

Cross Stitch Religious Christmas Ornaments

1. Choose a religious Christmas ornament pattern from your favorite cross stitch book or pamphlet. You can also find Christian patterns such as crosses, doves of peace, and nativity scenes on the Internet or in cross stitch magazines. Gather the materials needed to complete the project and cut the fabric to the appropriate sizes listed in the directions.

2. Stitch the entire cross stitch pattern using the appropriate number of strands of embroidery floss. Thread the needle and push it up through the fabric, leaving a tail approximately one-and-a-half inches long. Make cross stitches by putting the needle back down through the fabric to the top right and then up from the bottom right to the top left to make a small X-shaped stitch. Follow the color chart, if you have one, and complete the entire religious Christmas ornament project. Weave the tail ends of the floss through stitches in the back of the fabric to secure them.

3. Cut the cross stitch religious Christmas ornament fabric out so it just fits inside a plastic holiday ornament frame, if you wish to use them for your craft. Sandwich the embroidery between the clear cover sheet and the frame backing. Be sure the hook or loop for hanging the ornament is at the top. Tie a festive red or gold ribbon in a bow around the hook for added Christmas style.

4. Cut a piece of felt fabric the same size as the cross stitch fabric of your religious Christmas ornament for another style. Use a color of fabric that matches the stitches in the religious pattern you created. For added decoration, use pinking shears or other patterned scissor to cut the edges.

5. Thread the needle with a long piece of embroidery floss, and make either cross stitches or back stitches around the outside of the religious Christmas pattern. Make the stitches through both the cross stitch fabric and the felt fabric, leaving one small edge open for stuffing. Attach a loop of embroidery floss or narrow cord to the top center to make it easier to hang the ornament.

6. Stuff a small quantity of polyester fiberfill, cotton batting, or other fluffy material into the ornament. Be sure the image on the front is not distorted. Use a pencil or your finger to poke the fill into the corners, if the ornament is a rectangle or square shape.

7. Stitch the remaining edge of the Christmas ornament closed, and weave the end of the thread to the inside of the ornament to hide it. Gently spread out the stuffing so that it is even. Carefully pull a few rows of the cross stitch fabric threads off the edges. This will create an attractive frayed look that will make the religious cross stitch ornament look more complete. Alternately, you could simply cut the fabric neatly and leave it as is. You can cross stitch many religious Christmas ornaments for friends, family, and your church.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash fabrics and trims before using to be sure of color-fastness.