Posted on by agilejack

Scrappy Night Time Tree Ornament Tutorial

I made a bunch of these ornaments last year and decided to write up a quick tutorial for them. They’re a quick, fun and easy make. They make great gifts, or are even fun tied to the top of a package. It’s great to have some on hand to give to people who visit during the holidays.

I made these using some of my Kaffe Fassett Collective scraps but you could use any scraps you have on hand. For me, the more colorful and bold the better!

Materials:

  1. You’ll need two different fabrics for the front. One for the top/sky section and one for the bottom/snow section. (more on the fabrics I used below)
  2. Some fun fabric scraps for the trees. I used Kaffe Fassett Collective Fabrics. You can go crazy here!
  3. Some light Heat and Bond, used to adhere the trees to the background.
  4. Some thin ribbon or cord to hang the ornament by
  5. Poly-fil stuffing, or other stuffing you like.

I used this polkadot fabric for the top/sky…

And this fabric for the bottom.

I used the same white fabric for the back of the ornament.

You can really use any fabrics you want. You can make it a daytime scene by using a white on white dot, or a light batik dot, or even a snowflake batik or white on white. You could use solid white for the bottom or white with black swirls, or a batik that has different shades to it, or even something with some silver in it.

Here are a couple batik options that would work for the sky.

I wanted to have a night time scene with snow on the ground. I like the fabrics I used because the polka dot makes it look like it’s snowing in the dark. I thought the bottom fabrics made it look like hills, but several people have commented that it looks like animal tracks in the snow.

Cutting and assembling the ornament body:

Cut your top/sky fabric 4.5 inches wide and 3 inches high.

Cut your bottom/snow fabric 4.5 inches wide by 2 – 1/4 inches high.

Sew these two pieces together along the long sides using a 1/4 inch seam allowance and press the seam allowances to the dark fabric.

This piece ends up being 4.5″ wide by 4-3/4″ high. I leave an extra 1/4 inch for the seam allowance at the bottom. The larger 1/2″ seam allowance at the bottom makes it easier to close the opening.

Cut a 4.5″ x 4-3/4″ piece of fabric for the back of the ornament. I used the white fabric.

Making and applying the trees

I fuse heat and bond to the back of my scrap fabric first. Then use this template to cut the three different size trees needed for the ornament (I round the corners a little when I cut them). Download the PDF file and print it at 100%. Make sure that it’s the correct size once printed. I made a 1 inch mark on the template to help you verify it’s printed at the correct size.

Agilejack trees templateDownload

From the scraps left over from cutting the trees (with heat and bond on the back), cut three 1/4 inch by about 1 inch pieces for the tree trunks. I cut the trees and trunks from the same fabric. You could use a contrasting or brown fabric if you like.

Peel the Heat and Bond paper from your trees and trunks and arrange your trees on your pieced front piece. Tuck your trunks up under the bottom of each tree leaving about 1/2 inch sticking out at the bottom. Using your iron, carefully fuse the trees and trunks to the front of the ornament according to the Heat and Bond instructions.

Make sure you leave enough room at the bottom for the 1/2 inch seam allowance!

Stitch around the edge of the trees and trunks. I used my regular foot, but you could do this with free motion quilting if you like. This photo shows the stitching well.

Cut a length of thin ribbon or cord 6 or 7 inches long and sew the ends to the right side of the center top of the front of the ornament. Here’s an example.

Finishing the ornament

Next, with right sides together, sew the front and back of the ornament together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance on the top and sides, and a 1/2 inch seam allowance on the bottom, leaving an opening at the bottom. This larger seam allowance makes it easier to close the ornament once it’s stuffed.

Here’s an illustration of how I sew these pieces together. Note the blue lines of stitching. These lines of stitching make closing an opening so much easier! I use this trick on any opening I have to close.

Trim off the corners making sure you don’t cut through the stitching, then turn your ornament right side out. Gently push out the corners and press the piece.

Stuff it with the Poly-fil to the puffiness you like, gently pushing stuffing into the corners. Hand-sew the opening closed with a thread that matches your fabric, and you’re done!

Feel free to share this tutorial with friends.

68 Replies to “Scrappy Night Time Tree Ornament Tutorial”

  10. Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
    Thank you very much for the fun tutorial 🤗. They look so cute! I will make some! Another reason to keep little scraps ❤️❤️❤️. Hugs to Rico and Bender, will they partake in some Turkey?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Too, too, too cute, and beautiful ! Thank you so much for taking the time to create the tutorial and for sharing your amazing talent.

    Best to you always,

    Eileen 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. Just thinking? Have you thought about making these 2 sided? Was thinking just in case hanging on the tree you see the edges there wouldn’t be the white edge against black. Then was thinking we’ll I could just piece the back without trees but then I thought I could have 2 different color variations if I did trees on both sides! Hhmmh?

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  19. These are so sweet! Not only do they look great on a wreath or tree, but I’m thinking I’d hang some on doorknobs in the house. A small pocket or flap could be added to the back to make a gift card holder too! Thanks for the design!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  20. You had something similar last year. I made them but added a pocket so I could slip in a Ghiradelli wrapped candy. Thanks for reposting this idea. I think I’ll make it a tradition!
    Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your family time.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  27. Hello,

    Thank you for the ornament tutorial and love all the great dog photos, they’re my favorite breed.

    I wanted to comment on the spray you use for ironing fabric. My quilting friends use: 1/2 c. Vodka 1 1/2 c. Water in a spray bottle

    It may help your respiration. They swear by it. Just a thought. Janice

    Sent from my iPad

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  29. Quick question…The front measures 4.5 x 4.75 inches complete, yet the back measurement is 4.5 x 3.75. Is there supposed to be an inch difference between front and back?

    Like

    Reply

  30. Thank you so much for these instructions! Your photos and text are always so clear and comprehensive. I’m a huge fan – your color sense, creativity and prodigious energy are an inspiration. I’m especially looking forward to watching your woven stripes and shot cotton take shape – so gorgeous

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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