Since Scandinavian gnomes are still very popular to use for Christmas home decor, I’ve created a DIY gnome denim Christmas ornament that you can easily make to adorn your tree or give as a gift to a friend or neighbor. Ornaments also make great toppers on a wrapped gift!
DIY GNOME DENIM CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT
SUPPLIES NEEDED:
- denim fabric
- gnome
- ribbon
- stuffing
- embroidery thread
- needle
- small safety pin
- straight pins ~ optional
- pencil
- hot glue or Tacky Glue
- scissors
- household object with circle
The majority of these supplies can be purchased at the Dollar Tree so this DIY gnome ornament idea is very budget-friendly!
Another way to be thrifty is to purchase thrift store jeans to make these ornaments. Also, since the gnomes are part of a 4-pack package you can make more than one ornament.
HOW TO MAKE A GNOME CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENT
STEP 1 – MAKE CIRCLE PATTERN AND CUT OUT
- find a household object that you can use to trace a circle
- trace a circle on the back of the denim fabric
- use sharp scissors to cut the circle out
- repeat a second time to end up with 2 circles
STEP 2 – ATTACH THE GNOME
Use either hot glue or Tacky Glue to attach the gnome onto the center of one circle
STEP 3 – MAKE HOLES FOR RIBBON HANGER
- use either straight pins or safety pins to join the 2 circles, back sides together
- use sharp scissors to snip a hole into the the center top, front side of the circle, see photo below
- make the snipped hole large enough so your small safety pin will fit through
- snip the back circle the same as the front, use a pencil to stick through the top hole to mark where the next hole needs to be snipped if you can’t just ‘eyeball’ the spot.
STEP 4 – ADD RIBBON HANGER
- cut a piece of ribbon a little bit longer than your desired hanging drop
- attach the small safety pin into a ribbon end and thread it through both layers of fabric
- you will tie the ribbon later
STEP 5 – BLANKET STITCH AROUND THE CIRCLE
It’s been years ago since I’ve blanket stitched, so I googled “how to blanket stitch YouTube” so I could teach myself again.
DO A YOUTUBE SEARCH FOR EACH BELOW:
- how to blanket stitch
- how to end a blanket stitch
- how to begin stitching again when the thread runs
TIP: You’ll need to let your threaded needle suspend from the fabric so it can “untwist” itself. The thread tends to get twisted along the way, so do this ever so often.
I’m not the greatest at blanket stitching as you can tell from my photo! What makes it a little more challenging for this craft is the denim fabric makes it harder to insert the needle. Being left-handed might have contributed to my problem trying to follow along with the videos, also!
- cut a very long strip of embroidery thread, leaving all strands together
- plan for leaving an opening at the bottom so you can insert your stuffing, see photo below
- blanket stitch following YouTube videos as discussed above
STEP 7 – STUFF THE ORNAMENT
Add the stuffing using your finger and a pencil. Blanket stitch the opening closed.
STEP 8 – ADJUST THE RIBBON HANGER
Determine your desired length of your ribbon hanger, tie ribbon ends together, then trim the ends if needed.
I hope you’ll enjoy making your gnome denim Christmas ornament! Will you be creating this cute ornament for yourself or giving it as a gift?
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE TO SEE THESE CHRISTMAS IDEAS:
FREE PRINTABLE GNOME CHRISTMAS CARDS
It’s once again time for another “$10 on the 10th” challenge, where I’ve joined with a few of my fellow bloggers where we share a craft project that costs under $10.00 to make.
This month our challenge theme is “Christmas ornaments.” Be sure to visit their links at the end of my post to see what festive ornaments they are sharing with you!
CLICK THE LINKS BELOW TO SEE MORE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT CRAFTS!
Tammy @ Patina and Paint ~ How to Make a Snowflake Ornament
Ann @ The Apple Street Cottage ~ Jute Twine Ornament
Patti @ Pandora’s Box ~ Easy Gift Wrapping Idea using Ornaments
Terri @ Decorate and More with Tip DIY Sock Ornaments
Niki @ Life as a Leo Wife ~ DIY Dollar Tree Ornaments
Sharing my gnome Christmas ornament at these fabulous blogs!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
AllysonAllyson is the founder and content creator of Southern Sunflowers, which shares tutorials for DIY crafts and decor on a budget.
This turned out really cute. Great way to reuse denimn
Thanks Cindy! I like having thrifted denim on hand for budget-friendly crafts.
This ornament is adorable! I love how you priced out everything for your readers. A true under $10 ornament! Gnomes are huge right now, so I think adding them to a gift is such a cute idea. If you can’t sew a straight line to save your life (me over here raising my hand) you can use hot glue to attach the two pieces of denim together. They won’t look as adorable as yours though! Great job!
Happy Hopping!
Niki – Life as a LEO Wife
I’m thrilled you like my gnome ornament, Niki! I wanted to add beads on the ribbon hanger, but it would have added to the cost. If you hot glue the denim pieces together instead of using the blanket stitching, you could fray the edges of the denim circle to keep some personality.
Allyson this is adorable. Love how easy it is to make. Thanks for sharing such a creative ornament.
Terrie, I’m glad you like my ornament! The blanket stitching can be done while watching TV…easy peasy. 🙂
This is adorable and gnomes are so popular now. Great idea!
Thanks, Ann! Yes, the popularity of gnomes keeps hanging in there each year.
How cute!!!! I love this. And why have I never thought of adding the ribbon hanger before sewing the ornament up I have no idea. How smart is that? Your gnome ornament is so precious – I can see a whole tree of them. Love everything about it. Thanks for sharing!
Tammy, I’m so happy you love my gnome ornament! I plan on making more next year.
Sweet little ornament – thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Patti! I think he’s a cutie, too. 🙂