3 Easy Scrap Busting Christmas Ornaments - Tutorial

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to make three quick and easy Christmas ornaments. These ornaments are a great way to use up scraps or upcycle old clothing.

You can download the pattern pieces for free here:

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Gnome

Materials:

Fabric
Thread
Yarn
Fiber Fill
Bead or Button (for nose)
Glue
String or thread for hanging

Using the Gnome pattern piece cut 2 pieces of fabric. A front and a back.

Gnome patter piece and cut fabric pieces.

With wrong sides together stitch the pieces together using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Leaving about a 1″ opening in the bottom so you can add the stuffing later

Gnome pattern pieces with 1/4" stitching line

This is optional but I like to trim the seams with pinking shears.

Gnome pieces sewn together and trimmed with pinking shears

Insert fiber fill or stuffing of choice using the opening you left at the bottom.

Once stuffed to your liking go ahead and sew the bottom closed

Now we are going to make the beard.

I simply wrap some yarn around my fingers several times. How much will depend on how full you want the gnome’s beard to be.

Yarn wrapped around fingers to make a gnome beard

Once you’ve wrapped the yarn to your liking cut the end. Remove from your fingers and tie a string around the center.

Glue the beard to the bottom of the gnome’s head.

Now let’s give our gnome a nose.

Glue a bead or button above the beard at the center.

Last, sew or glue a string or some thread to the top for hanging.

Star

Materials:

Fabric
Thread
Optional – Interfacing
Yarn
Buttons
Glue String or thread for hanging

Using the Star pattern piece cut 3 pieces of fabric.

Star patter piece and cut fabric pieces.

Optional: If you feel your pieces might be a little too flimsy you can use the Star Interfacing template and cut out some interfacing. The type of interfacing is up to you. I just pulled some out of my interfacing scrap pile.

If you would like more information about interfacing check my blog post Mastering Bag-Making Interfacing: Tips and Top Brands

Attach the interfacing to the back of the star squares as needed.

Fold the star squares in half diagonally, wrong sides together. Sew the raw, non-folded edges.

Star pieces folded and marked with stitching lines

This is optional but I like to trim the seams with pinking shears

Star pieces sewn together and trimmed with pinking shears

Lay two Star pieces on top of each other as shown here.

Glue together

Lay the third star piece on the back as shown here.

Glue together.

To add a decorative touch you can glue some buttons to the Star.

Last glue or sew a string or piece of thread to the top of the Star for hanging.

Tree

Materials:

Fabric
Thread
Yarn
Fiber Fill
Buttons
Glue
Stick or Dowel
String or thread for hanging

Using the Tree pattern piece cut 2 pieces of fabric. A front and a back.

Tree pattern piece and cut fabric pieces.

With wrong sides together stitch the pieces together using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Leaving about a 1″ opening in the bottom so you can add the stuffing and a stick later.

Tree pattern pieces with 1/4" stitching line

This is optional but I like to trim the seams with pinking shears

Tree pieces sewn together and trimmed with pinking shears

Insert a little bit of fiber fill or stuffing of choice using the opening you left at the bottom.

Once stuffed to your liking add some glue to the opening in the bottom, insert a small stick or dowel for the trunk and press closed. You might have to use some clips to hold it closed while the glue dries.

To decorate your tree, glue on some small colorful buttons or beads.