Ugly Sweater Ornaments

What? An ugly sweater ornament? Of course! For the past decade or so, ugly sweater parties have become all the rage. In the 70s and 80s it was actually quite the fashion statement to wear gawdy sweaters covered with Christmas garb.

The trend died down in the early 90’s, but at the beginning of the new century a fun trend began where people try to out-do each other and be the party guest wearing the ugliest sweater.

TIP: If you would like to buy some ugly sweater ornaments instead of making them, be sure to check out this collection on Etsy.

It’s funny how trends start isn’t it? The ugly sweater is no longer just life-sized. Now there are ornaments! I thought I had imagined up something novel when I decided to make these, but apparently ugly sweater ornaments have been around for a couple of years already. I saw some at Michaels, plus online I saw them at Hallmark and even in some big department stores.

Ugly Sweater Ornaments

I’m really happy with how mine turned out. They aren’t perfect, which adds to the “ugly”, and for once that’s alright! I think the next ornament I tackle might be this adorable shadowbox ornament!

I found my embellishments at the craft store. Check the scrapbooking department by the stickers. Often times they have miniature Christmas lights and even little tiny Christmas presents. If you need a Christmas gift idea for an adult friend, I think these sweater ornaments are perfect!

As always, a full printable supply list and instructions are at the end of this post.

For this project you will need the following supplies:

• Felt
• Craft wire
• Embroidery floss
• Embellishments: ** mini jingle bells, mini wreaths, mini faux Christmas lights
• Tools: Sewing needle, scissors, instant grab glue*, wire snips, round nose pliers
• Shirt patterns

• Print the patterns and cut them out.
• Stack two pieces of same color felt and use the pattern to cut out two shirts.

• To make the coat hanger, cut a 12-inch piece of wire.
• Place your shirt pattern on the work surface and bend the wire to create the first corner of the hanger.
• Lay it onto the pattern to help you gauge the size. Leave enough space around the collar for stitching at the end.

• Bend the other side, the wires should intersect, creating a triangle.
• Twist the wire two or three times at the intersection.
• Snip off one end of the wire.
• Bend the other end of the wire into the hanger top.
• Snip off the excess wire.

• Use glue to attach the hanger to one of the felt shirts. Add more glue over the top of the hanger and press the second shirt on top, lining up all the edges.
• Use glue and embellishments to decorate your sweater.
• Stitch around the entire sweater to finish it off. You can use a blanket stitch or a hemming stitch, whichever you prefer. When finished, add a little glue to the end stitch(es) to secure them.

* I use Beacon 3 in 1 Advanced Craft Glue. Hot glue does not work well on felt, it peels off.

** You can make mini wreaths yourself by gluing pom poms together in a circle and attaching a ribbon bow. Use beads as the ornaments. Or you can buy them in the holiday section of your local craft store. The mini lights that I used I found in the scrapbook embellishments.

Hope you enjoyed this project, have fun!

More ornament ideas

• Let it Snow – Scrabble Tile Ornament
• Christmas Tree Light Bulb Ornament
• Recycled Canning Lid Angel Ornament
• See all my ornament ideas

Print Project

Ugly Sweater Ornaments

Supplies

• Felt
• Craft wire
• Embroidery floss
• Embellishments: ** mini jingle bells mini wreaths, mini faux Christmas lights
• Tools: Sewing needle scissors, instant grab glue*, wire snips, round nose pliers
• Shirt patterns

Instructions

• Print the pattern and cut it out. Stack two pieces of same color felt and use the pattern to cut out two shirts.
• To make the coat hanger, cut a 12-inch piece of wire. Place your shirt pattern on the work surface and bend the wire to create the first corner of the hanger. Lay it onto the pattern to help you gauge the size. Leave enough space around the collar for stitching at the end.
• Bend the other side, the wires should intersect, creating a triangle.
• Twist the wire tow or three times at the intersection.
• Snip off one end of the wire.
• Bend the other end of the wire into the hanger top.
• Snip off the excess wire.
• Use glue to attach the hanger to one of the felt shirts. Add more glue over the top of the hanger and press the second shirt on top, lining up all the edges.
• Use glue and embellishments to decorate your sweater.
• Stitch around the entire sweater to finish it off. You can use a blanket stitch or a hemming stitch, whichever you prefer. When finished, add a little glue to the end stitch(es) to secure them.

Notes

* I use Beacon 3 in 1 Advanced Craft Glue. Hot glue does not work well on felt, it peels off.

** You can make mini wreaths yourself by gluing pom poms together in a circle and attaching a ribbon bow. Use beads as the ornaments. Or you can buy them in the holiday section of your local craft store. The mini lights that I used I found in the scrapbook embellishments.