I had so many holiday DIYs to share this season that I’m somehow still posting projects just days before Christmas. This is the final one—so I’m sending off the holiday crafting train with a cheerful, color-blocked flourish. These ornaments are quick, playful, and perfect for adding a modern pop of color to your tree.
These color-blocked velvet ornaments sew up in minutes. They follow the same simple technique I used for the DIY color-blocked pillows, with just two small changes: they’re scaled down to ornament size, and a small velvet loop is sewn into the seam so each piece can hang easily from a branch. That’s it—easy, quick, and totally giftable.
Here’s the step-by-step process.
Materials
- Scrap fabric in at least two colors (velvet gives a lush finish, but any fabric will work)
- Thread to match your fabrics
- Scissors
- Poly-fill stuffing (about a small handful per 3-inch ornament)
- Wooden dowel or similar tool to push filling into corners
- Sewing machine
Instructions
- Cut pieces for the front and back of your ornament. These ornaments are small enough that no template is necessary. If you’re making a color-blocked front, cut each colored section separately so they fit together to form the full front shape, and cut one full back piece.
- Sew the front pieces together first if you’re color-blocking. Place the front pieces right sides together and stitch a straight seam. Backstitch at the beginning and end to secure the seam.
- Place the assembled front and the back pieces right sides together. Tuck a small loop of fabric at the top between the layers so the loop’s ends are sandwiched in the seam—the actual hanging loop should be tucked in with its tail sticking into the seam allowance so that when you turn the ornament right side out, the loop will sit on the outside.
- Sew around the edge with a straight stitch, leaving a small opening unstitched for turning and stuffing. Remember to backstitch at the start and end of each edge to keep seams secure.
- Trim excess seam allowance and clip corners as needed for neater turning. Then turn the ornament right side out through the opening.
- Fill the ornament with poly-fill through the opening, using a wooden dowel to help push filling into corners and small spaces so the shape looks even and full.
- Close the opening by hand with an invisible or ladder stitch, then hang the ornament on the tree.
These ornaments are essentially tiny versions of the color-blocked velvet pillows made earlier in the month. Their small scale makes them especially charming—bright, modern accents on the tree or sweet little gift toppers for wrapped presents.
Sewing by Liz Scoper
Photography and styling by Brittni Mehlhoff
What are your holiday plans? If you’re doing last-minute crafting, these ornaments are a fast, colorful option. They also make great handmade additions to gifts. If you want more ideas, consider compiling a list of simple, thoughtful DIY projects to finish out the season.