Don’t throw away your old mismatched Christmas tree baubles. I’ve got a great upcycling idea that will not only give your Christmas tree a new eco-friendly makeover, it will use up your leftover fabric scraps as well – Scrap Fabric Twine Recycled Christmas Ornaments!
My recycled scrap fabric twine is one of the most popular tutorials on My Poppet, and I love coming up with new ideas for ways to use it.
In the past I’ve sewn it into a mat, woven a chair seat with it, made an upcycled planter with it, and used it for Christmas gift wrapping. The creative possibilities are endless.
My scrap twine baubles are multi coloured as I like to mix up my fabric scraps when I’m making this fabric rope. But if you have a specific colour scheme that you prefer, you can make the twine in the colours of your choosing.
I’ve made some festive themed red and white ‘candy cane’ twine in this tutorial that would look very striking for this recycled Christmas ornament project.
The beauty of these recycled Christmas ornaments is that they can be made from materials and supplies that you already have at home (and in all likely hood were headed to the bin). Any old bauble will do.
It’s more than likely that you have a few scuffed up, cracked or mismatched ball ornaments sitting at the bottom of your decoration box. Here’s a chance to give them a new lease on life!
If you haven’t got any old baubles laying around, pop into your local thrift store. They sell old decorations by the bagful at this time of year, and because the colours and textures don’t really matter, you can purchase them for a song.
These recycled Christmas ornaments would make great gifts for crafty friends.
Why not get a group of friends together for a recycled ornament making Crafternoon? It’s a great way to get into the festive spirit, and don’t forget to bring along some tasty treats to enjoy.
How to make Scrap Fabric Twine Recycled Christmas Ornaments
You will need:
- Scrap fabric twine – get recycled twine making instructions here
- Old Christmas baubles – either plastic or glass is fine
- Hot glue gun and 2-3 Glue sticks per bauble
- Scissors
- Cord or ribbon (optional)
Caution: Hot glue can burn so please be careful. If you get hot glue on your skin run it under cold water immediately.
I seem to burn myself every time I use hot glue and this project was no exception! Behold my blistered thumb. Ouchy!
Note on using plastic baubles: Some plastic baubles may melt or deform a little due to the heat of the glue. I found that all of the ones I used were fine except for the clear plastic bauble. The clear plastic shrunk a little when it was heated, but it wasn’t noticeable as the texture of the twine disguised it.
If you find your plastic baubles are a little bit ‘melty’, just use a minimal amount of glue as you may melt a hole right through the plastic. I had no issues with the harder plastic or glass baubles.
How to:
1. Starting from the top of the bauble, closest to the hanging cap, add a small bead of hot glue.
2. Working quickly and taking care not to get glue on your fingers, glue the fabric twine around the cap. Continue in a spiral fashion down the bauble.
3. Work in small sections at a time as the hot glue cools and sets quickly.
4. Hold the twine down firmly until the glue just sets, then move onto the next section.
5. Try to ensure there are no gaps between the twine or the bauble underneath will show.
6. Continue wrapping scrap fabric twine around the bauble till the whole ball is covered.
7. To finish, snip off the remaining twine and glue the end down neatly.
8. Ensure all the twine is adhered firmly and evenly by giving the bauble a little squeeze when you’ve finished all the gluing. If the hot glue is still a little bit warm and pliable it will ensure the twine is snuggled up nicely against itself.
Recycled Christmas ornaments all done! Now it’s time to make some more. Don’t they look great covered in tall that colourful scrap fabric twine.
9. Add a ribbon or twine for hanging. I’ve used coloured cord and frayed the ends a little to give a tasselled effect. You could also make your own cord and small tassel from embroidery thread.
These baubles look really cool hung from a dried branch for a modern take on a Christmas tree.
More DIY Christmas ornament ideas:
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I already liked your handmade fabric twine, and now I love these ornaments! Thanks for posting.:-)
Thanks Priscilla, Glad you like them.
Oh my I love these so much!!! I have yet to make your scrap fabric twine but it’s high on my to-do list.
Your fabric twine is just too gorgeous and fantastic and, and, and, too everything wonderful I can think of. I just want to squeeze it. OK, I am getting calmer….I do not celebrate Xmas so do not need ornaments for a tree, but those balls would be great just all piled together in a big bowl, wouldn’t they? (I would put the tops, which are obviously for a Xmas ornament, just tucked under) Every time you think of a new way to use that twine, you must post photos. Thank you for sharing your ideas (and Japanese pattern books!)
Yes they would look cool in a bowl. You can wrap twine around a papier mache balls for a similar effect without the tops
Cintia,
I love looking through your crafts on your website. You have some of the BEST photos!!! The step by step processes are also amazing! You are one talented lady!! Thanks for all you share with us!
Rena
Thanks Rena
Such a clever idea Cintia! Thanks so much for sharing your tutorial. I know our readers will love it. I’ve included it in our Top 10 Christmas Crafts inspiration roundup. https://craftylikegranny.com/christmas-craft-inspiration/ Hope you enjoy the holiday season 🙂 Jodie
Love your ideas:) could spend all night looking at all of them!
Thanks Kelly. Glad you enjoy them.
These ornaments are so beautiful and unique.
Oh my gosh, I just wandered in and found these, they are ADORABLE!!! Now I need to make some twine and create some of these for next Christmas. They would make awesome small gifts for people at the holidays. I LOVE THESE!! Thank you so much for posting this tutorial!!