Monday, November 17, 2014

Tutorial: Folded Fabric Star Ornaments



I learned how to make these adorable folded star ornaments at my traditional guild at least 10 years ago and haven't seen them anywhere since. I used this activity as a final assignment in an introductory Instructional Design course and boy was it ever fun to watch a 6'5" man who works as a parole officer learn how to thread a needle!

Here's a brief tutorial for making these ornaments, which can be for a Christmas tree or a Solstice celebration or even as a way to celebrate a graduation - anywhere you'd use a star. It's all about the fabric choices.

Materials:

  • 3 strips of fabric 2" x 7" - can be all the same colour, all different or any combo you like.
  • one or two buttons, no more than ½" wide. If choosing two buttons make sure their holes line up.
  • 8" length of twine or embroidery floss


Directions:

Create Triangles:
1. Lay strip of fabric right side down, short end closest to you.

2. Fold up bottom corner to opposite side of strip and line up fabric edges, creating a right-angle triangle. Make sure the bottom corner is pointy.

3. Fold triangle up so that the side aligns with the edge of the strip.

4. Fold again, aligning side of triangle with the edge of the strip.
5. Continue folding the triangles until there's only a small flap of fabric left.

6. Tuck this rectangle into the folded triangle like a tab.

7. Press if desired.
8. Repeat steps 1-7 for two remaining strips of fabric.


Assemble Ornament:
1. Lay one triangle long side up, and the other triangles on either side, with the long sides facing out.

2. Place the middle triangle on top of the left triangle,
3. Stack the right triangle on top, aligning the triangles as shown.

4. Secure the stack with a couple of hand stitches.
5. Attach the buttons on both sides of the ornament passing the needle all the way through both buttons from one side to the other (this is why you want the holes to line up). (Alternative: no buttons or just one button sewn and another glued).

6. Make a loop with the jute and knot the end.
7. Slip the loop around the top triangle, bringing it in behind.

8. Tug the loop up to catch on the button stitches.

9. Finished! Enjoy!

36 comments:

  1. This is perfect for a Christmas swap I'm in - need to add a small decoration for the Christmas tree - thanks for the tutorial!

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  2. So cute! Thanks for the tutorial, Felicity. I'm going to give this a try.

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  3. OMG I don't believe it. That is so amazing, I've been looking for ideas just like this, clicked on your link from blogathon and there it was! Thank you!

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  4. I'm totally making some of these, thank you for putting the tutorial up here.

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  5. this is so cool Felicity! So glad you showed it to us last night, and have posted the tutorial.

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  6. Super easy and cute! Thanks for sharing.

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  7. That's fab, thanks for sharing! I have pinned so I can find it again easily

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  8. Very cute wish I'd seen them prior to holidays. Saving for next year.

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  9. Just noticed you on my e-mail this early AM. Darling star. Must make some for everyone.
    Nice site.
    Thanks

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  10. Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial. My entire extended family made these at our Thanksgiving gathering this weekend and we had a blast!

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  11. Thanks for sharing. It is a relly a lovely idea to share at Christmas.

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  12. so very cute going to give a try for my windows

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  13. thank you / anxious to try this star

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  14. I think measurements for fabric 2" x 6" or 2"x 9"

    Thanks

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  15. I sewed the star on a girls Christmas T-shirt dress. It really looked cute!

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  16. Going to try this at an activity day at a nursing home, thank you for the tutorial.

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  17. Lovely star! Cant wait to teach my daughter!! Thank you!

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  18. Lovely star! Cant wait to teach my daughter!! Thank you!

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  19. I found pushing the needle through the fabric layers too difficult for my arthritic hands. I've glued a button to one side of my star using fabric glue. We'll see how that works... Otherwise, I love the way the little star looks. It's a great way to utilize some fabric. :)

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  20. I've been making alsorts of difficult tree decorations and especially patchwork so to find this quick and easy one using up scraps of old jelly rolls has been fantastic. Thank you

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  21. Just found this tutorial. So simple to make but sooo very effective. Thank you.

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  22. my only issue is the raw edges...I have too many loose threads. Is there a way to remedy that. I'm using good cotton fabric

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  23. I have been making an ornament for my clients a number of years now. This is something I could do with leftover Christmas fabric I have!! And so cute!! I usually make about 100 or so. As for the raw edges, I am going to use *fray magic* ,or whatever it is called. Thank you!!

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  24. Love this idea and plan to try it out today. Fabric choice can really change the look. Thanks for the idea.

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  25. Thank you! I am going try these with my grandchildren.

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  26. So instead of folding a long strip I fused two 2” wide fabric strips together using Pelion Wonder Under. (Love that stuff) I then cut 2” squares and cut them into half triangles. Popped them together as per the directions. So cute and easy. A great little gift at my hospital charity.

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  27. This is a must do with the granddaughters at Autumn half term when they come to stay with me. Many thanks.

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  28. Love these! Thanks for the great idea!

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  29. Love these! I made a few as part of a wedding gift! I can't wait to make more! I wish I could send a photo.

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  30. Thank you for the pattern. Using them for bows on Christmas gifts. Lynne

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  31. I wanted a larger star so I worked out a star using 3x10" strips. That size works. Just like the original, they are a little wonky fitting together. I used mine to make a garland, alternating with pennants. I used double folded bias tape to connect. I also found that pressing each fold helped me keep it under control and crisp. Very hard to push a needle through! Use a thimble! Thanks for the idea!

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  32. These are so cute! I'd like to make some a little larger. I saw the suggestion of 3x10, but that they didn't fit as well together. What measurement do you suggest?

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  33. This is my ornament to make for 2022 for each of my great nieces and nephews. I plan to use 4 X 8inch strips to keep the proportion. getting started right now! Thank you for sharing.

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  34. I made a few dozens of these! They are my new favorite! Thank you!

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