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Home » Holidays » Christmas

Origami Christmas Ornaments

By Damjana Jakos • Last updated on Oct 12, 2024 • This post may contain affiliate links.

Learn how to make an easy fabric origami ornament for your Christmas tree with this step-by-step tutorial and free origami ornament pattern. It’s a fun and simple project that adds a unique, handmade touch to your holiday decor!

These origami Christmas ornaments pair beautifully with these poinsettia ornaments, both are included in our huge free Homemade Holidays pattern Bundle. Scroll down to grab all 18 patterns for free!

a finished fabric origami ornament in red and green
Table Of Contents
  • Why You'll Love These Fabric Origami Ornaments
  • Origami Fabric Ornament Video
  • Supplies
  • HUGE Holiday Sewing Pattern BUNDLE - FREE!
  • Origami Christmas ornaments step by step
  • TIP: How do you stiffen fabric for origami?
  • Conclusion
  • Where can I get the free pattern?

Why You'll Love These Fabric Origami Ornaments

What I love about this origami folded Christmas ornament is how you can create diversity with just two fabric pieces. And how the design looks so intricate but is simple to make. It's just sewing a circle and a few hand stitches. You'll be surprised!

I first spotted similar ornaments a while back, using a Japanese folding technique. But they involved some super precise measuring with multiple folds - definitely not my style! I wanted something simpler. And ta-daa!

The method I’m sharing here is much easier, and you don’t have to worry about being super precise. Sometimes, simpler is better, don’t you think?

a finished fabric origami ornament in red and green with pompom garlands around

Origami Fabric Ornament Video

First, take a quick look at the slideshow form of the tutorial, to get a feeling of what the project is like:

Supplies

  • two 8-inch squares of fabric in contrasting Christmas prints
  • a pompom for embellishment
  • 7" - 10" ribbon for hanging
  • matching thread, sewing machine, scissors, needle, iron
  • Free circle template: Feel free to trace a plate or use the template from my Homemade Holidays FREE Patterns Bundle

HUGE Holiday Sewing Pattern BUNDLE - FREE!

holiday sewing patterns

17+ sewing patterns to craft your own, cozy holidays! (Updated - October 2024)

Get FREE BUNDLE

Origami Christmas ornaments step by step

Step 1 - Get the free template

Cut two circles out of the two fabric pieces. Either trace a plate or use the circle template that's included on page 4 of the free Homemade Holiday Patterns Bundle The template has quarter markings, which should make your project even easier:

If you opted for the Bundle, print page 4 and cut out two pieces of fabric using the template.

Step 2 - Sew the Circles Together

two fabric circles placed with the right sides together

Place the circles with the right sides together and sew around using a ¼" (7 mm) seam allowance, leaving a few inches open for turning:

two fabric circles sewn together

Step 3 - Edgestitch

Turn right side out, press and edgestitch all the way around, closing the turning hole too:

two fabric circles sewn together

Step 4 - Fold in Quarters

Start folding: fold the circle in half so the main fabric will be on the inside of the fold. I wanted my RED fabric to show in the finished item, so I made sure to hide it into the fold. Press. Then fold again in half so you get quarters. Press well again:

Origami Christmas ornaments

Step 5 - Join the opposite sides

Quarter marks are visible now - you should have four folds. Then hand-stitch the ends at the opposite marks together; first two:

showing how to fold the fabric origami ornament

Step 6 - Fold the Fabric

Then the other two. Leave the needle on the thread, you'll need it to sew on a pompom:

stitches on the red and green fabric origami ornament

Step 7 - How To Flatten the Origami ornament

What you have now is the central point - you'll want this one to lie flat. Place the piece on a flat surface, flattening the back and the sides:

square shaped green Christmas origami ornament

Step 8 - Fold Back the Corners

You'll see some extra fabric on the corners - fold these to the back side:

folded Christmas ornaments

Step 9 - Finishing touches

Use the (still threaded) needle and the remaining thread to sew on a pompom or some other embellishment - place it right above the center front the circle edges were sewn together:

diy folded ornament

Step 10 - Add ribbon

The last thing to do is attach the ribbon to one of the corners, hang and admire!

a finished fabric origami ornament in red and green

TIP: How do you stiffen fabric for origami?

If you want a crisp, stiff origami ornament, you could either use spray fabric stiffener, a starch spray, or iron-on interfacing like Pellon SF101, Vilene G700 (love it!), or SewFuse. Totally optional though! I did not use any stiffener, as the green fabric in the tutorial is decor-weight - that provided enough stability.

Conclusion

Aren't these little decorations adorably cute? Simple, too: scraps in two colors, this simple tutorial, and a plate to trace - or the free circle template from the free Homemade Holidays Bundle, that's all you need! 

If we hadn't already made tons of other cute homemade ornaments before, this would be an easy way to decorate the whole Christmas tree - using just this single pattern.

Speaking of homemade Christmas ornaments, please remind me if I forget to post a whole list of links to my free tutorials. There are so many christmas projects here at AppleGreen Cottage!

  • a finished handmade Christmas gnome ornament placed on holiday greenery
    DIY Gnome Ornaments with a Free Pattern
  • three finished christmas stockings in christmas cotton prints hanging on a pompom rope sewn with a free Christmas stocking pattern
    Christmas Stocking Pattern - Free Pattern
  • 10 Creative Gift Ideas For Friends
  • two finished handmade gift card holders made with christmas themed red and white fabric and a beautiful white ribbon bow
    Christmas Gift Card Holder - Free Template

Where can I get the free pattern?

Join our mailing list and get the template for free - and more, the entire (huge!) Homemade Holidays BUNDLE, with more than 18 templates to create your own cozy holiday decor:

a finished fabric origami ornament in red and green

Share it:

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More Christmas Crafts And Sewing

  • gifts to sew for friends durign teh holiday season - three cowl scarves, a dice pouch in blue tie-dyed fabric, and hand warmers in red fabric
    30+ Easy Gifts to Sew For Friends and Neighbors
  • a pieced red hexagon table runner in holiday prints with a red poinsettia pot plant decoration
    Quilted Hexagon Table Topper Pattern
  • sewing machine with a table runner featuring red and green christmas prints
    Easy Quilted Christmas Table Runner
  • a finished fabric table runner sewn with two fabric pieces in Christmas prints, with a red glossy star-shaped plate on it and 2 stems of holly red berries
    Easy One-Hour Table Runner Pattern For Christmas

Comments

  1. Susan K says

    November 07, 2024 at 7:43 pm

    Absolutely fascinated by how a circle becomes a square. I was never good at math, angles, etc. These are so cute. I plan to use them as decoration on gift packages/bags. Recipient can decide to use as tree ornament or pass along on gifts next year.

    Reply
    • Damjana Jakos says

      November 07, 2024 at 8:17 pm

      Susan hi,
      I'm so glad you like the tutorial. Happy holiday season,

      Reply
  2. Tami says

    November 03, 2023 at 10:06 pm

    Your origami Christmas ornament is a favorite of mine. Instead of Christmas cards. I give my friends a different ornament each year that I’ve made. I made 50 of them and everyone loved them.
    Thank you for a great pattern and sharing it with all of us !!

    Reply
  3. Sharon Vance says

    October 30, 2022 at 2:15 pm

    Looks so easy and I love the result. Thanks!

    Reply
  4. Giuliana says

    October 11, 2021 at 8:36 am

    Lavoretti molto piacevoli e di buon gusto

    Reply
    • Damjana says

      October 11, 2021 at 9:49 am

      thank you!

      Reply
  5. Marty says

    October 23, 2019 at 1:06 pm

    Was going to search for an "origami" ornament ~ you saved me the time with this cute and easy tutorial; thank you!

    Reply
    • Damjana says

      October 23, 2019 at 1:10 pm

      Yey, that's good! Happy holiday crafting,
      xoxo Damjana

      Reply

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Damjana is the owner and pattern designer at the popular AppleGreen Cottage website, founded in 2014. She creates easy sewing patterns everyone can sew and enjoy. Her customers say they are super easy to follow and love the little hacks and tips sprinkled around. These will make your sewing a breeze, too. Enjoy!

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