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!