Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Rag Ball Ornament Tutorial ~



These are very easy ornaments to make and
can look so charming if you make several in coordinating fabrics.
You can use homespun fabric
(looks the same on both sides of the fabric)
but you don't have to.


Let me show you how I make mine:
The simple supplies are styrofoam balls, florists wire,
wire cutters, hemp cord or twine, glue 
(I happen to love the brand that's in the photo),
scissors and fabric.

Also aged tags and stamps if you'd like
to hang a message on each one.



First I cut in about an inch at the end of the fabric
and I try to space my cuts evenly apart.



Then I rip each strip off from the fabric.
Of course you will have strings but
just pull them off and throw away.



Next, I cut a piece of floral wire and bend it into a U shape
for the wire loop on the ornament.

Apply a little amount of glue to the ends
and press into the styrofoam ball
leaving about 1/4 - 1/2 of an inch still sticking out.





Then I put glue on the end of one of the fabric strips
(on the back side), press it down onto the ball
right near the hanger and start wrapping the fabric around the ball.

Don't worry if you run out of fabric and
the ball is not completely covered.
Be sure you glue the end of the first strip to the ball
then grab a new fabric strip, apply glue to the back of the end
and press down where you left off
and continue wrapping until the ball
is completely covered in fabric.







I like to age the smaller manilla tags with instant coffee,
let dry and then stamp a message or
Christmas image onto it.

Plus I've used some hemp cord to tie
through the wire loop to serve as a hanger.
I've tied the tag through the wire loop as well.
I had one little piece of fabric left and
tied it on right above wire loop as an additional decoration.







I hope I explained everything clearly.
You may already know how to make these simple ornaments
but I just thought I'd share how I make them.
This would be a great project for children as well.
You can color coordinate these to match your home, too!



31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dawn, I simply love the rag balls. This is a craft project that I will start, very soon.
Thank you for the tutorial.

Blessings,

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Thank you for the step by step instructions! I think I could do that!!
Penny

Anonymous said...

Wow, another fabulous tutorial. Great idea. I may try this sometime. Pleasure stopping by, I really like all your wonderful projects. Always a great presentation too.

Becky said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Becky said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Becky said...

Oh Dawn, everything is just just beautiful. I've been checking in and admiring all your work and just had to say how lovely it all is.
Happy crafting,

Smiles,
Becky

Colleen - the AmAzINg Mrs. B said...

Love the rag balls - I must make some now - gee thanks - now another great project I HAVE TO make because it's sooooo cute!

Serioulsy, the tutorial is great. Thanks for all you share!
Colleen

Colleen - the AmAzINg Mrs. B said...

One question - I really like the stamp - it just looks "vintage-ish" - who makes it?
Thanks!
Colleen

Sherry said...

These do look easy to make and are so simple...but so pretty. Who couldn't love these?

Janet said...

Thanks for the tutorial. This looks very easy and the results charming.
Janet

Cape Cod Washashore said...

Wonderfully written instructions! Now I know what to do with my boxes of scrap fabrics other than quilts! =)

Charmingdesigns said...

Oh dear...now another project I want to do!! Do you have a way to give me more Time??? Laurie

~Red Tin Heart~ said...

Love them!! They remind me so much of my Grandma who use to make rag rugs. Wonderful tutorial as well. xoxo Nita

Anonymous said...

Those are so cute! When I was a kid we wrapped styrofoam, but we used ribbon, I like the fabric so much better! Must... get... supplies... Thanks for the great tutorial!
~Angela :-)

Anonymous said...

OH, maybe EVEN I could do that!

Thanks!

Melissa

Anonymous said...

Oh Dawn ! J'en rêve de ces boules de Noël !!! Une amie américaine m'en avait offert une, je l'ai conservé et c'est un vrai plaisir ... en revanche, sa mère faisait çà avec des chaussettes enroulées comme support ce qui lui donne une agréable souplesse ! MAGNIFIQUES, J'ADORE !!!

Unknown said...

I absolutely love this idea! So adorable...I am going to try it myself! Thanks for sharing your techniques :)

Dolça Maduixa said...

First sorry for my english. I think that the rag ball are beautiful. I made it to the Christmas!!! Me encantan!!!!

Jennifer Davis said...

Wow! These are absolutely beautiful, charming too! Thanks for sharing the tutorial!

Julie Campbell said...

What an awesome idea! I LOVE it! Makes me feel all warm and cozy!

Countrygal said...

Thanks Dawn, beautiful tutorial. Nice ragballs with an elegant touch! Love it!

Fulvia

www.picturetrail.com/countrygal52

Catalina Alvarez said...

Thank you!!!
Great tutorial I love it!
Cata

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing! I must try this!

Unknown said...

Hi Dawn. I live in Jax, Fl but my sister lives near Atlanta in Hampton/Griffin, Ga. I just wanted to say how precious these are. I love the fabric you used. Thanks so much for taking the time to create a tutorial....Tracy
I would love you to drop in and visit my (fairly new) blog sometime.

Alana Jo said...

Thanks so much for the tutorial. I added it to my McKLinky of 'prim' tutorials.

josierosie65 said...

This is a wonderful and creative idea. You could also use this technique to repurpose those Satin Christmas Balls from years gone by, or other gently used Christmas balls!

Callie @ PaperedFair said...

so adorable! thank you for the tutorial. can't wait to make these myself. Happy Holidays.

ersimarina said...

I'd seen rag balls on Etsy and always wanted to know how to make them. They are gorgeous! I'll try to make a few for this Christmas, thanks so much for the tutorial :)))

Ancient Wanderer said...

I never throw away those masses of threads that I remove from torn strips. If you collect them in a little bag, over time you have the makings of "nesting materials" to add to a homemade bird's nest. Those threads always look so random and add texture and hints of color.

Unknown said...

This was my first craft project and I loved how they turned out!! Fun, Simple and Adorable!!! Thank You!!!!

Lorielearninglife said...

Do you overlap the ends when wrapping the fabric! Mine don't seem to look as polished on the ends? Please explain
Thanks!


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