DIY Decoupage Christmas Ornaments for a Colourful Tree

Transform plain ornaments with leftover fabric scraps! Learn how to make colourful, unique decoupage Christmas baubles.

Add a burst of colour to your Christmas tree this holiday season with these beautiful decoupage Christmas baubles! Using leftover fabric scraps, I turned some plain, old ornaments into unique ornaments that capture a handmade, vintage charm. Inspired by a vase I decoupaged last year with Kaffe Fassett fabrics, I created my decoupage Christmas ornaments for the tree. It’s a fun way to upcycle plain ornaments and a great way to give new life to decorations you already have.

Let’s learn how to make these Mod Podge fabric ornaments, a simple craft you can customize with endless colours and patterns. Perfect for holiday decor, these easy decoupage ornaments will surely stand out on your tree!

Materials

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• Plain ornaments (glass, plastic, or any old ornaments)
• Kaffe Fassett fabric scraps (or any patterned fabric)
• Mod Podge
• Foam brush
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Embroidery supplies (optional for extra detail)
• Velvet ribbon (optional for a touch of vintage charm)

DIY Decoupage Christmas Ornaments:

Measure and Create the Fabric Net

Step 1: To ensure complete coverage on your bauble, first measure the circumference of your ornament. Once you have this measurement, divide it by twelve to get the width needed for each fabric strip. This will create a seamless fit around the bauble.

Step 2: Now, use this width to draw an oblong leaf shape, ensuring it’s long enough to reach from the top to the bottom of the ornament. You can try cutting a few shapes out of paper first to adjust the fit around the ornament—think of it as making a “net” for a sphere. Each strip should fit snugly without overlapping too much. When you’re happy with the fit, use this as your template to cut out twelve fabric strips.

Decoupage In Sections

Step 3: Using your leaf shape template, cut out 12 strips of fabric.

Step 4: With your foam brush, apply a layer of Mod Podge onto a strip of fabric, working one strip at a time. Gently press a fabric strip onto the bauble, smoothing it out as you go to avoid wrinkles. Repeat this process around the bauble.

Add Embroidered Ribbon for a Unique Design

Step 5: To add something extra, I embroidered a velvet ribbon with words like “Jingle” and “Fa La La” and wrapped it around the centre of the bauble. This step is optional, but it’s a fun way to make your decoupage Christmas baubles stand out. You can even personalize with names for unique ornaments that double as thoughtful gifts.

Let Dry and Display

Step 6: Once all the strips are securely in place, allow your ornaments to dry completely. These mod Podge fabric ornaments will be ready to hang on your Christmas tree, bringing a handmade, colourful touch to your holiday decor.

Different Ways to Decoupage Baubles

Looking to make more DIY decoupage Christmas ornaments? There are so many different ways to personalize plain ornaments! Here are a few simple ideas to try:

• Napkins – Decoupage baubles with patterned napkins for a soft, seamless look.
• Tissue Paper – Use tissue paper for a layered effect with a touch of transparency.
• Dictionary Paper or Sheet Music—Decoupage text or sheet music around old ornaments to add a touch of vintage charm.
• Wrapping Paper – Add beautiful holiday patterns to your baubles with festive wrapping paper designs.

Whether you’re using leftover fabric scraps, napkins, or other materials, decoupage Christmas baubles are an easy Christmas craft idea and a great way to make beautiful ornaments that add unique character to your tree.

Conclusion

This is a perfect way to upcycle those beat-up, old ornaments. Fabric decoupage will give them new life and make them look gorgeous! Just make sure they’re clean and dry before you start.

These handmade ornaments are just the beginning of the DIY projects you can try this holiday season. For inspiration, check out my other Christmas decorations posts, like embroidered paper ornaments, handmade Christmas crafts to sell, and fun projects like decoupage stamp ornaments or wood slice ornaments featuring festive designs. Each craft offers a unique way to add personality to your holiday decor.

Also, don’t forget to check out all these wonderful adult decoupage crafts.