Inside: 31 Free patterns for embroidered Christmas ornaments and decorations for all skill levels, from beginners to more advanced.
One of the things I most look forward to in winter is getting the Christmas ornaments out of the loft and decorating the tree. Almost every ornament has a story as it has been handmade by me or someone in my family. There is the odd-bought ornament, but these are typically vacation souvenirs.
Decorating the tree is one happy trip down memory lane. The most personal Christmas ornaments are embroidered ones. Often, these handstitched Christmas decorations were the most fun to make.
Embroidery is a “couch craft” you can do while watching TV. Usually, it’s a Hallmark Christmas movie to get me in the festive mood. Plus, those films don’t require much concentration; I can predict the rest of the plot after five minutes.
Before sharing the free Christmas embroidery patterns, I’ll give tips to ensure your Christmas crafting is a success.
10 Tips For Successful Embroidery
- Start small; if you are new to embroidery, start with a simple pattern and progress with practice. Skilful embroidery takes a lot of patience and practice.
- Use thread about an arm’s length (30-50 cm); you will likely get into a knotty mess any longer.
- Use an embroidery hoop and keep your fabric taught, drum tight.
- But don’t leave the fabric in the hoop if embroidering over time. Between the stitching sessions, your material must rest as the fabric can become permanently creased. However, the hoop is a decoration for some Christmas embroidery ornaments.
- Press your fabric before starting for a smoother finish to ensure you don’t stitch any creases.
- Make sure you have good lighting. If embroidering in the dark winter evening, sit by a lamp. It will make it much easier to ensure accurate stitching.
- Don’t get overwhelmed and go slowly; take one stitch at a time, and it will soon come together. It’s not about perfection; the whole point is that it is handmade and not meant to be perfect.
- The most accessible fabrics to embroider are evenweave ones such as linen, cotton and denim. Felt is also an easy fabric to decorate with stitches.
- If you make a mistake, use a seam ripper to remove the rogue stitches. You are more likely to make a hole in the fabric with scissors.
- Use a thread conditioner or wax to stop the thread from tangling; it helps it glide through the material.
The Christmas Embroidery Ornaments and Decorations
Embroidery is an easy craft, have fun making these unique Christmas ornaments and decorations. There are many free patterns and ideas to choose from here for beginners and the more skilful.
Simple Handmade Felt Christmas Ornaments
The simple embroidery stitches on these ornaments are almost childlike, which is part of their charm.
Scandi Felt Christmas Trees
More simple stitches this time to make Scandinavian-inspired mini trees.
DIY Family Photo Heirloom Ornaments
A gorgeous idea, print photos of your family onto fabric. Then sew them into Christmas ornaments and decorate them with colourful embroidery.
Personalized hoop ornaments
Make one of these for every member of the family as a keepsake.
Emroidered Cuckoo Clock
Why not give your tree a Swiss feel with this adorable cuckoo clock decoration?
Cookie Cutter and Mesh Ornaments
I picked up a multi-pack of cookie cutters and added fun mesh backgrounds decorated with simple embroidery. They’d be easy to customize to different cookie cutters too!
How To Make A Personalized Embroidered Map Ornament
This embroidered map Christmas ornament is quick and easy to make. Personalize it by using maps unique to you. It would make a lovely gift or keepsake.
DIY Felt Gingerbread Ornaments
These felt gingerbread cookies inspired Christmas ornaments are cute.
Happy Winter Snowmen Embroidery Pattern
There’s just something so fun about people made of snow that makes a person smile!
Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament from Home Alone
An easy cross-stitch pattern based on the classic Christmas movie Home Alone
Embroidered Hanging Bird Decorations
These pretty little hanging decorations are easy to make, either from pretty fabric or with some simple embroidery stitches. You can fill them with lavender or potpourri to make scented sachets.
The Office DIY Christmas Ornaments
If your office has a staff Christmas tree, you need to make some of these to decorate and add a bit of humour to the workplace.
Woodland Christmas Pattern
A lovely embroidery pattern for a woodland animal-themed Christmas decoration.
Free hand embroidered christmas ornaments patterns
Sequins add a bit of sparkle to these embroidered ornaments.
Mistletoe Bouquet
Anchor has this as a free digital pattern to download. This mistletoe will keep fresh all holiday season.
Christmas Pattern: Carol of the Bells
Stitch the lyrics of your favourite Christmas carol to make a unique ornament for the tree.
Mitten Holiday Embroidery Pattern
I'd love a pair of mittens like these; they have that Scandinavian Christmas look.
Holiday Mini Hoop Ornaments
I didn't even know you could buy embroidery hoops so small. These ornaments are cute and could even be worn as a pendant or keychain. They would make lovely gifts.
DIY Nordic-Inspired Christmas Decorations
These are just like the decorations my Norwegian mother-in-law has on her tree. I love the embroidered snowflakes.
Embroidered Christmas Ornament Bicycle with Free Pattern
My bike-loving family will love to see this cute embroidered ornament hanging on the tree.
Hexagon embroidered Christmas decorations
Hexagons are powerful shapes and great for crafts; these make a lovely change from the usual round ornaments.
DIY Embroidered Photo Ornament
Learn how to print photos onto fabric and then add an embroidered frame.
Simple Snow Globe
A Christmas embroidery pattern is suitable for beginners as it only uses one thread colour and simple backstitches.
Child's Handwriting Embroidered Christmas Ornament
Freeze your child’s handwriting in time with this fun Handwriting Embroidered Christmas Ornament.
Gorgeous Felt Ornaments DIY for the Holidays
An entire Christmas tree or holiday window display filled with these felt ornaments will significantly impact a small budget. Individually, the decorations can be personalized by colour or stitch on an initial for each of your friends and family.
Cat Embroidery Hoop Christmas Ornaments
These cute ornaments would make a lovely handmade gift idea for cat lovers.
Cat in Christmas Sweater
Despite the cat looking a bit cross, this is one of my favourite Christmas embroidery patterns.
Twinkling joy
A very clever design, spelling out the word joy with a beautifully stitched string of holiday lights.
Free Snowman Embroidery Pattern
This is one happy-looking snowman.
Free Christmas Tree Embroidery Pattern for Christmas
What a fun way to practice your French knots decorating with this simple Christmas tree.
Beautiful Fabric Star Ornament – Tutorial And Free Pattern
Add a touch of handcrafted elegance to your holiday decor with embroidered fabric star ornaments delicately adorned with tiny star stitches and French knots for a charming festive look.
Other Embroidery Ideas
For more holiday embroidery, check out these cute Halloween embroidery ideas.
Another fun way to stitch Christmas ornaments is to try mixed-media watercolour embroidery.
Did you know you can embroider on paper as well as fabric? You could easily make a Christmas version of this embroidered dictionary art. Or even embellish a large canvas with stitches for seasonal decoration.
Embroidery is not just for Christmas; check out this cute duck and hen embroidered decoration for spring. Also, see how you can preserve your children’s artwork with embroidery or stitch your favourite lyrics into a coffee cosy.
Cross-stitched is just a counted form of embroidery, and I have a fun pattern for a cross-stitched pillow you might like. Check out the other types of crafts that use yarns and threads.
Don’t forget to check out these other cool adult Christmas craft ideas.