October 11, 2012

Fabric Origami Ornament (Tutorial)


Origami fabric ornament tutorial

This is my favorite fabric ornament to make. It is very easy to sew and is sewn all by hand - perfect if you want to get out of your sewing space for a while:) And for a very inexpensive item, it sure looks fancy (i.e. it makes a great gift).


Materials needed:
Ornament_materials


  • 3 fabric* squares (one for center, two for front/back) - 5" squares are easy, 4" squares make dainty ornaments
  • 2 buttons/beads for embellishing center
  • String/yarn for hanging loop
  • Needle, thread, scissors
*Fabric should be "creasable", not fray too easily and not be too thick. Most quilting cottons work well. I haven't tried it, but spray starching the squares might be useful if using thinner fabric.

USEFUL TIPS:
  • Finger press all folds in all steps.
  • Fold and tack in place on side at a time for all steps (then you don't have to pin anything)
  • Cut you thread long enough to last for the whole piece

Step 1: Fold square in half and finger press crease, open up and repeat in other direction to make a creased cross in the center.
Ornament_step1

Step 2: Fold two opposing sides in towards center and tack in place at center.
Ornament_step2

Step 3: Fold the other two long sides in towards center and tack in place.
Ornament_step3a

Ornament_step3b

Ornament_step3c

Step 4: Place a finger in one of the "ears" and flatten into a square. Tack in place. Repeat for the other three sides.
Ornament_step4a

Ornament_step4b

Ornament_step4c

Ornament_step4d


Step 5: Fold the sides of one of the little squares in to make a point and tack together. Sew all the way around, tacking in place on the sides of the "arrows" and where the folds meet.
Ornament_step5a

Ornament_step5b

Ornament_step5c


For center square: You are now finished. Just fasten the thread and cut it off. The back side should look like this - don't worry, all the stitches and raw edges will be covered:
Ornament_step5d

For front/back squares: Continue with step 6.

Step 6: Fold one corner towards the center of the back and tack in place. Repeat for the other three sides. Fasten the thread and cut it off.
Ornament_step6a

Ornament_step6b

Ornament_step6C



Okay - almost there!

If you have made all your three squares you should have something that looks like this:
Ornament_completed_parts

Step 7: Make a sandwich of your pieces (you should be able to use your crease lines from step 1 to see where the front/back points should meet) and tack together at all corners of the front/back.
Ornament_step7a


Ornament_step7b

Step 8: Sew your embellishments to the center front and back (sew through the sandwich) and sew a string through one of the points of the center (green) square to make a hanging loop. Congratulations, you are finished!

Front view:
Ornament_finished_front


Back view:
Ornament_finished_back

And it will look something like this hanging on your tree:
Ornament_modern


Alternative 1: Make it classic! (Gold fabric is a very thin laminate)
Ornament_classic


Alternative 2: Make it neon! How cool would a tree filled with these look?
Ornament_neon


So, this is my first tutorial ever written. I hope it makes sense! If you make one of these, send me a pic or link to a blogpost - I would love to see what color combinations you come up with.

-Marit

30 comments:

  1. Utrolig fint! Kunne godt tenke meg å lage noen sånne, men de fleste bildene i tutorialen er utilgjengelige... Jeg er sikker på at tutorialen er kjempeflott om du får opp bildene!
    Lykke til.

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  2. Great tutorial - you make it look so easy.. I've added this to my 'must make' list - thanks for sharing!

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  3. This is a great tutorial and it looks so easy! Thank you for sharing.

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  4. That was great it looks like a fun project!

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  5. Great tutorial. I'm going to try making some of these for gifts.

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  6. Wow!
    It is amazing and I am going to definitely try one of these asap. I lost you a bit in the green folds but then I think I might need to be *doing* it whilst reading to get it.
    Thanks for a fab tute

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  7. This looks great - I will definitely be having a go and will let you know how it works out!

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  8. I love it! Now to see if I can make one.

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  9. This is great! Thank you so much for sharing

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  10. Marist, how did you know I had been surfing the web earlier this week for fabulous fabric ornaments? Now I don't have to continue! These are wonderful!! I can't wait to try them - perhaps at jury duty next week.

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    Replies
    1. Darn auto correct wants to put an "s" in your name. Sorry, Marit!

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  11. Wow, beautiful ornaments and really easy to make! Thanks for the great tutorial!

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  12. Fantastic tutorial- I want to go make these NOW!

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  13. Wonderful!! These are adorable! I'll have to make some :)

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  14. What fun! I love these! The first part looks a bit like folding fabric for a cathedral window.

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  15. Muchas gracias por el tutorial, esta muy bien explicado.

    Besos

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  16. Hello - just seeing this posted on Facebook! I will make these this year for my stitch group's Christmas gift exchange! Thank you!

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  17. Super joli !!! Merci beaucoup !!

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  18. Wonderful - I'm going to make some for my quilt guild friends! We made another pattern a few years ago, so they will love this one!

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  19. Great tutorial and pictures! I thought you might like to know... somebody in WA state (USA) has learned how to make these ornaments, made a whole bunch of them, and donated them to the La Conner Quilt Museum to sell in their gift shop as a fund raiser. When I bought one, I asked if the clerk knew where the pattern came from. The person who made them had given the Museum the link to your blog. So here I am, happy to be able to make my own ornaments like this next year. Small world, isn't it!

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  20. I loved your tutorial, it's so nicely written, thank you very much! I made some ornaments myself, it's a pretty neat technique! Thanks for sharing! I'm working on my blogpost and will be back sending you the link so you can check them out :)

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  21. Ok, so here's the link if you want to check them out! :) http://katisquilting.blogspot.com/2015/10/some-hand-sewing.html

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  22. You did an excellent job with your pictures and directions for it being your first tutorial! Thank you for sharing your work with everyone! These look easy enough to make with children.

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  23. un idea davvero bella! complimenti per il tutorial e grazie per averlo condiviso con noi... Spero ti faccia piacere essere sulla pagina di Acchiappaidee (http://www.facebook.com/Acchiappaidee/) buon lavoro a presto

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  24. This is great! Just what I was looking for the 12 year old's can do.

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  25. Do you have a PRINTER friendly version?

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  26. May I ask where you got the pattern? I am intrigued to find out. Thank you

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  27. I have been making ornaments for friends and family. This will be one of the next ones I make. Thanks, Lowell

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