Key Takeaways
- Old flannel shirts make soft, plaid Christmas ornaments with simple cutting and gluing, and most designs need no sewing at all.
- Pick shirts in classic red, green or buffalo plaid, and wash them first so the fabric is clean and soft to work with.
- Keep the ornaments light and small so they hang well on the tree, and store them flat in tissue after Christmas.
Flannel shirt ornaments turn old shirts into soft, plaid Christmas tree decorations with no sewing and almost no cost. A worn flannel shirt that is too thin for winter still has plenty of good fabric left, and its checked pattern already looks like Christmas. Cut it into stars, trees, hearts and stockings, add a ribbon loop, and the tree gains handmade charm for the price of a little glue. This guide shares ten flannel shirt ornament ideas to make from shirts you already own.
What Kind of Flannel Shirt Works Best for Ornaments?
The best flannel shirts for ornaments are soft, mid-weight shirts in classic red, green or buffalo plaid. Worn shirts work well because the fabric is already soft and easy to cut, while a stiff new shirt can be harder to fold and glue. Check that the fabric has no holes or thin patches in the area you plan to cut.
Pick shirts with a clear, even plaid pattern, since the checks are what make the ornaments look festive. Large checks suit big ornaments such as trees and stockings, while small checks look neat on stars and hearts. Wash and dry the shirt before you start, so the fabric is clean and any shrinkage happens before you cut.
Do I Need to Sew Flannel Shirt Ornaments?
No, most flannel shirt ornaments need no sewing at all, which is why they suit beginners and children. Fabric glue, a glue gun or even double-sided tape holds the layers together, and a simple knot or loop of ribbon makes the hanger. Stuffed ornaments can be filled with a little wadding and glued shut around the edges.
If you do enjoy sewing, a running stitch around the edge gives a neat, handmade finish and holds up well over the years. Hand stitching also lets you add details such as a button, a jingle bell or a small stitched star. Either way, the ornament will look good, so choose the method you find easiest and most enjoyable.
How Do I Cut Flannel So the Ornaments Look Neat?
Cut flannel with sharp fabric scissors and a paper template, tracing the shape with a pencil before you cut. Sharp scissors matter more than anything else, since dull blades chew the soft fibres and leave a ragged edge. Cut slowly and let the scissors do the work, keeping the fabric flat on the table.
Flannel frays a little at the cut edge, so many makers leave the edge raw on purpose, since the slight fringe looks rustic and charming. If you prefer a clean edge, run a thin line of fabric glue along the cut and let it dry before you handle the piece. Pinking shears also give a neat zigzag edge that frays far less than a straight cut.
How Many Ornaments Can I Make From One Shirt?
One adult flannel shirt usually makes eight to twelve small ornaments, depending on their size and shape. The back panel gives the largest flat pieces, while the sleeves and front panels suit smaller shapes such as stars and hearts. Even the collar and cuffs can be cut into tiny ornaments or gift tags.
Plan your shapes before you cut so you waste as little fabric as possible, and save the offcuts for stuffing or for a rag garland. If you have two or three old shirts in different plaids, you can mix the patterns on one tree for a cosy, layered look. A single shirt also makes a matching set for a small tree or a wreath.
10 Flannel Shirt Ornament Ideas to Make for Christmas
These ten flannel shirt ornament ideas use simple shapes, glue and ribbon, so you can make a full set in one cosy afternoon.
- Classic plaid stars — Cut two star shapes, glue them together with a ribbon loop between them, and hang them near the top of the tree.
- Mini Christmas trees — Layer two or three small triangles of different plaids into a tree shape and add a button at the top.
- Stuffed plaid hearts — Glue two heart shapes together, fill them with a little wadding, and add a jingle bell at the point.
- Flannel stocking minis — Cut a tiny stocking shape, add a cream cuff from an old sheet, and hang it with twine.
- Rag-ball ornaments — Wrap strips of flannel around a foam ball and tie them off, so the ball is covered in soft plaid layers.
- Plaid mitten pair — Cut two small mitten shapes and join them with a ribbon cord, like the mittens on a string from childhood.
- Flannel-wrapped candy canes — Wrap thin strips of flannel around a cardboard cane shape and finish it with a small bow.
- Button-centre flowers — Cut a simple flower from flannel, glue a button in the centre, and add a ribbon loop for hanging.
- Mini wreath rings — Tie short flannel strips around a small ring until it is full and fluffy, then add a red bow.
- Gift-tag ornaments — Cut small rectangles from the shirt, write a name on each with a fabric pen, and tie them to gifts or the tree.
Flannel shirt ornaments prove that the best Christmas decorations are often the ones you make yourself from things you already own. One old shirt, a pair of sharp scissors and an afternoon are enough for a tree full of soft, plaid charm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do flannel ornaments need to be sewn?
No. Most flannel shirt ornaments can be made with fabric glue or a glue gun, and a ribbon loop tied or glued in place works as the hanger. Sewing gives a sturdier finish, but it is optional and the glued versions hold up well on the tree.
How do I stop flannel ornaments from fraying?
Flannel frays a little at the edges, which suits the rustic look, but you can limit it with pinking shears or a thin line of fabric glue along the cut. Washing the shirt before cutting also helps, since the fabric settles and the loose fibres come away first.
Can children help make flannel shirt ornaments?
Yes, flannel ornaments are a good craft for children, since the shapes are simple and no sewing is needed. Let children cut with safety scissors, choose the plaids and glue the layers, while an adult handles the glue gun and any sharp scissors.
How should I store flannel ornaments after Christmas?
Store flannel ornaments flat in a box lined with tissue paper, with a sheet of tissue between each layer. Keep the box somewhere dry, since damp can mark the fabric, and the ornaments will be ready to hang again next Christmas.