Free hand embroidered Christmas ornaments patterns for your handmade holidays projects! Download the free ornament pdf patterns and stitch up these fancy designs to use as tree decorations, gift tags, or presents.
I impulse bought these ornament-shaped embroidery frames a few years ago and kept stalling out on what to put inside. I finally finished some designs that fit inside and thought I’d share them! You can also use the same patterns inside a regular embroidery hoop and stitch a circle instead, I’ll work on making an example of that in the future. I think sequins are so much fun for holiday decorations and had a great time picking out the colors and stitch styles for these ornaments.
While you’re here, check out some of these other posts too:
- 10+ upcycled christmas ornaments to make from old clothes
- 15+ prettiest fabric Christmas ornaments tutorials
- The cutest animal Christmas ornament patterns
- 14+ tutorials for embroidery hoop Christmas ornaments
- 20+ free felt Christmas ornament patterns
- 20+ photo ornaments diy tutorials
The sky’s the limit for adding embellishments! I used seed beads and sequins but you could add all sorts of things.
I stitched up a second version with ‘joy’ as the text – the PDF also has a ‘peace’ option but I haven’t had a chance to try it myself!
Christmas ornaments are some of my favorite projects because they stitch up so quickly, even if you add fancy beads and embellishments.
The pattern also has a circle drawn in if you want to stitch it as a whole bauble and use a regular hoop like the above! You can see the indentation of where the ornament-frame goes, that’s about where the circle is drawn on the pattern.
Pin this free hand embroidered Christmas ornaments patterns tutorial for later with this link or collage image:
Free hand embroidered Christmas ornaments patterns
Supplies
- Ornament embroidery frames shown OR ” regular embroidery hoops
- Wool blend felt – I use this shop’s stuff all the time
- Fabri-solvy/stick & stitch: Sulky – Amazon – Etsy
- My favorite embroidery needles: Amazon – Etsy
- Embroidery hoops: Amazon – Etsy
- Embroidery floss – I’m using Sulky petite cottons here: Sulky – Amazon – Etsy
- Microtip scissors: Amazon
- Seed beads: Amazon – Etsy
- Sequins – I used 5mm size: Amazon – Etsy
- PDF pattern-sign up for my newsletter and get the free download once you confirm your subscription! If you’re already a subscriber, you can access the pattern with the password in each newsletter, in the resource library.
Steps
Step 1- Transfer the patterns and stitch! You can obviously do this any way you want but this is my preferred method, because I’m lazy. I haven’t tested this on plain cotton fabric so I’m not sure if it would fit the same but it can’t be that much different. I labeled the stitches I used above; you can check this page of simple embroidery stitches for the videos I like but also, experiment!
Step 2- Trim away any excess transfer material, just makes life easier.
Step 3- Gently rinse it off, I use a clean toothbrush to carefully agitate around the stitches, and lay flat to dry.
Step 4- Time to add embellishments! I find this easier to do after the transfer paper is washed away.
Step 5- This style of ornament frame is designed for woven cotton, so you’re supposed to be able to tuck it in and pop in this cute little circle. My wool felt was mega heavy so I just stitched around to secure, I don’t care how the back looks so I left it but you could alternately: 1. cut and stitch on a felt circle to cover. 2. Cut the raw edges flush to the wood and gently glue over top, and plug the circle in. 3. glue the wood circle on top!
You’re done! Let me know if you try this!
Corinne
Sunday 28th of November 2021
These are so lovely! The sequins and beads add a perfect charming flair. I think these would be a great addition to anyone's holiday decor. :D
Sue
Thursday 25th of November 2021
Where can I get the free embroidery patterns?
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Saturday 27th of November 2021
Hi Sue! The patterns are free for newsletter subscribers, there's a link to sign up in my sidebar or under 'supplies' :)
Maria Clara
Wednesday 24th of November 2021
You can try and sand the inner part of the hoop and/or the back part... this helps too and it feels more secure, in my opinion.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Saturday 27th of November 2021
that's a great idea, thank you!!
Kim Graham
Tuesday 23rd of November 2021
I don't see where to get the pdf Help!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Wednesday 24th of November 2021
Hi Kim! Look back at your newsletter, the link and password are right above the 'new post' photo/block where you clicked to get here :) It's uploaded to the resource library under 'Christmas ornaments' section.