|

How to Make Bird Ornaments for the Christmas Tree

Learn how to make darling bird ornaments for the Christmas tree using fabric scraps for a vintage look.

DIY Homemade Christmas Ornaments | These fabric birds made in a shabby chic style will add a farmhouse touch to your Christmas tree! #christmas #christmasornaments

Ā 

bird ornament tutorial at harbourbreezehome.com

How to Make Easy Bird Ornaments using Fabric

Before we begin, I need to explain something.Ā  As I was working on this project, I did grab my camera and take some pictures of the steps.Ā  However, I didnā€™t spend any time at all ā€œstagingā€ the pictures.Ā  So, here is my creative process in real lifeā€¦mess and all!Ā  You will soon discover that my ironing board is my most often used work surface!:)

Supplies You’ll Need:

  • Cardboard template of a simple bird shape (whatever size you’d like)
  • Heavy fabric
  • Iron on heat n bond
  • Pen for tracing
  • Sewing Machine
  • String to hang

Step by step instructions

Ā  1. Use the cardboard template to trace the bird shape on the understide of the thick damask fabric.

bird ornament tutorial on harbourbreezehome.com

I wanted to do a whole bunchā€¦so I traced a whole bunchā€¦

bird ornament tutorial on harbourbreezehome.com

2. Cut out all the bird shapes using fabric scissors.

bird ornament tutorial on harbourbreezehome.com

3. On another piece of damask fabric, iron on some heat n bond to the underside of the fabric.Ā  Heat n bond makes the fabric stiff. (Iron on interfacing would work well, too.)

bird ornament tutorial on harbourbreezehome.com

4. Peel off the paper backing once it is ironed and adhered to the fabric.

bird ornament tutorial on harbourbreezehome.com

4. Place a sheet of “warm and natural” batting material on top of the adhesive, and then place the cut out birds on top of the batting.bird ornament tutorial on harbourbreezehome.com

The cut out birds become the top layer.Ā  {Layer one: Damask with heat and bond.Ā  Layer two:Ā  Fuzzy batting.Ā  Layer three:Ā  Cut out birds.}

bird ornament tutorial on harbourbreezehome.com

5. Hold the birds in place by pinning them on through all the layers.Ā  Roughly cut them apart (with some space around the edges so you can get them easily under your sewing machine.

bird ornament tutorial on harbourbreezehome.com

6. Sew a topstitch 1/2 inch from the edge.Ā  {I use the sewing machine foot as my guide.} Place a loop of string in the middle of the top of the bird and sew it in with the stitching so you can hang the birds from the tree.

bird ornament tutorial on harbourbreezehome.com

7. Once sewn all the way around the edge, trim the bottom two layers to match the shape of the top bird.

8. Accessorize the birds by using a hot glue gun to attach burlap wings, rick rack trip fabric flowers and buttons.

bird ornament tutorial on harbourbreezehome.com

I used burlap as ā€œwingsā€.Ā  The tail feathers are a strip of canvas torn and ironed like an accordion.Ā  I just glued with a hot glue gun and ā€œfloofedā€ them until I liked them. I think these would also be fun with miniature tattered flowersā€¦and ruffles!Ā Ā 

For more easy DIY Christmas ornaments, check out:

For more recipes, crafts & ideas for your home all year round, become a VIP!

Become a VIP newsletter subscriber and get instant access to the library of free printables (including wall art, gift tags, and more!). Click here or the button below to join today.

Similar Posts

DON’T MISS A THING!

Join my list for more ideas for you and your homeā€¦

4 Comments

  1. I LOVE these! I saw your birds on WhisperWood & had to find the post where you show how to make them! They look beautiful!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.