If you’re looking for creative ways to make gifts out of children’s artwork, this is a tutorial for how to turn kids artwork into an embroidered ornament! Kids could embroider their own drawing as well or just help as they were interested; see my general tips for teaching kids to embroider in this post. This is such a sweet keepsake to remember one of my daughter’s first more detailed drawings, and she was delighted to see her artwork in hand embroidered form! I did receive the supplies for free through a series of sponsored posts with Sulky, but this post is all on my own.

Check out 20+ ornaments for kids to make for more ideas too!

This is a turtle, if you can’t tell! Not entirely sure what that top piece is, but she is very proud of her rendering. She did protest that she wanted a stuffie version to sleep with as well, so I might be making this all over again, sans hanging loop. Check out the one my son designed and see more ideas for turning kid’s embroidery into gifts, here.

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I took a little artistic license with the colors to make it more Christmas-y; you could go wild with color choices and decorative stitches.

I added her name (photoshopped out) and the year, I know the years will pass quickly and I’ll forget what year she made this sweet drawing. The process to make this DIY sentimental ornament is super easy, anyone could do it!

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How to turn kids artwork into an embroidered ornament

Supplies

• Wool felt (see a few options of where to buy wool felt online here)
• Embroidery floss – I used Sulky’s cotton petite thread, with 2 strands (you can buy them on Amazon or on Sulky’s website)
• Scissors
• Fabri Solvy (aka Stick N Stitch, they are the same thing, I just check which is cheaper) – you can also buy it on Sulky’s website*
• 6″ embroidery hoop
• Embroidery Needle – these are my favorite
• Printer
• Stuffing
• Hemostats (optional)
• Pen/marker

Steps

Step 1- Use a pen to trace the drawing on to a sheet of Stick n Stitch. I used a thicker permanent marker because it was what I had on hand, the thinner the pen, the easier it will be to wash away.

Step 2- Roughly cut around the drawing and stick it to your wool felt, making sure to leave a bit of space around all the edges.

Step 3- Stitch! I used two rows of back stitching; you can see videos for basic embroidery stitches in this post.

Step 4- Use warm water to wash away the pattern transfer paper, gently agitating until it’s not sticky.

Step 5-Trace roughly around the design. You can wing it or use a flexible ruler to keep a consistent margin around the stitching. Cut around the line.

Step 6- Lay out the top design and use it as a pattern to cut out a bottom piece of plain felt. Optional – write & stitch over a year or a name on the back piece.

Step 7 – Stitch around the edges with a running or blanket stitch, leaving a small gap to insert filling in. Finish stitching to close.

Step 8 – Use floss to sew in and knot a hanging loop, and you’re done!

Check out more Christmas ornament tutorials here!