How to Make an Embroidery Hoop Ornament

Sharing is caring!

Here we are on Day 3 of my 12 Days of Christmas Crafting. I’m always looking for new ideas for Christmas decorations. Here’s how to make an embroidery hoop ornament.

I find that with all the sewing I do, I have a number of fabric scraps. It’s a waste just to throw them out. I do repurpose some of them as stuffing. Smaller cuts can be made into baby items or this embroidery hoop ornament.

Supplies Needed to Make an Embroidery Hoop Ornament

• embroidery hoop; these come in various sizes and are available at craft stores, as well as online retailers. For smaller decorations, I like the 3inch size. You can also make larger ones to be used as a wreath.
• fabric scrap – it needs to be slightly bigger than the embroidery hoop. As these are going to be Christmas ornaments, I’ve chosen Christmas fabric. Any woven or knit fabric will work.
• fabric scissors
• design for the ornament – here is where you can be creative. It can be as simple as personalized names or favourite sayings or quotes
• heat transfer vinyl – you will cut out your design on the HTV to put on to the fabric. I use my Cricut Maker to cut out my design (don’t forget to mirror!). For detailed info on how to apply HTV, check out my post here. I prefer Siser or Joto Brand HTV.
• something to apply the HTV with – either an iron, a heat press or something like the Cricut Easy Press
• decorative picks – this adds a bit of dimension to the ornament. It also covers up the clasp. I add a jingle bell as well. All this is at your discretion and completely optional.
• ribbon or twine for hanging; I used fine gauge wire which also works.
  

As mentioned, this is a great project that uses up scrap fabric, little bits of HTV and small little decorative bits.

Step by Step Directions on How to Make an Embroidery Hoop Ornament

• cut your fabric so that it is approximately one inch larger than the hoop, all the way around
• cut out your HTV; I cut mine with my Cricut.

• apply your HTV to the fabric. I use a heat press, but you can also use the Cricut Easy Press or home iron.
  TIP: Since we are adding embellishments at the top, I position my graphic lower so that it doesn’t get blocked.

• loosen the embroidery hoop by turning the screw at the top – you should be able to separate the 2 pieces

• lay your fabric on top of the part of the hoop that does not have the screw
• position the hoop part with the screw loosely over the fabric so that you can centre it properly; also make sure that the screw is positioned in the top centre

• push the hoop part with the screw, down on top of the fabric – locking it between the 2 parts of the hoop; basically the fabric is “sandwiched” between to the 2 hoops.

• trim the excess fabric from the back

• I like to tuck in my embellishments into the gap before the screw is tightened. You can secure with some glue if you feel it is necessary.

• add a loop of twine or yarn or wire that will be used to hang the ornament

• tighten the screw

There are numerous possibilities with the embroidery hoop ornament. There are so many options in terms of fabric and embellishments. With HTV, you can customize them to say anything you want.

This is my set of 4 advent ornaments. I love how they turned out. The white HTV on the buffalo plaid fabric really pops.

I bet you could even make some for other holidays (not Christmas) – simply change up the fabric and embellishments.

Want to remember how to make this embroidery hoop ornament? Be sure to save this to your favourite Pinterest board.