If you are looking for an expensive Christmas ornament, try some DIY rag ball ornaments. With only 4 things, you can make beautiful ornaments to match any theme. They are simple to make and look very rustic on the tree. And when the children or cat knock them off, they won’t break!
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The Kitty Ate the Tinsel
I love Christmas and unfortunately so does our cat, Kitten-Eyed Joe. We have always bought a live tree so that we don’t have to store an artificial tree. Joe thinks that the tree stand is a giant water bowl just for him. In true cat form, he refuses to use any other water bowl during the season. When we take it down, he boycotts water from his actual bowl for several days. So although he may not eat tinsel, he sure loves Christmas tree water.
Because of his ridiculous obsession, all of the ornaments on our tree must be kitty proof. Although he normally stays at the bottom and just drinks the water, he has been known to climb it, if the needles aren’t spikey enough. We pick a tree by how spikey the needles are, which we realize is silly. Finding cat proof ornaments that I like has been difficult. I started with a giant box of shatterproof ones from Walmart, but they aren’t really that rustic style I’m looking for. So I’ve taken to making ornaments.
These DIY rag ball ornaments are some of my favorites because they are so simple to make. A simple white rag ball ornament looks pretty next to the orange slice ornaments. The ones with red prints bring a pop of color. I’m slowly finding my style and while I do, I find it most cost effective to make things myself, instead of buying everything new each year.
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Fabric for DIY Rag Ball Ornaments
The sky’s the limit when it comes to the fabric for the DIY rag ball ornament. Cotton works best, but I’m sure flannel would also be fine.
I found a roll of fabric strips at the craft store. It had 4 matching fabrics in it and they were just long enough to do one ball. If you had a color theme, this is a really good way to get a variety. It also works if you don’t want or don’t have the time to cut fabric.
You could also use larger pieces of fabric that you cut or rip yourself. Ripping will give it a more rustic look. This could be a yard of fabric, a drop cloth, or an old sheet. You can be as thrifty as you wish when it comes to the fabric. I really like the unbleached cotton of a drop cloth and will be making some of those next.
If you are a sewer, then you could use up some scraps for this project.
How to Make DIY Rag Ball Ornaments
Supplies
Fabric strips
Instructions
- For this project, I found that the rolls of fabric strips worked wonderfully. If you can’t find any you like you can cut your own from any cotton fabric. I really like the look of unbleached drop cloths. You can cut or rip the fabric into 1 to 2 inch wide strips if you’re not using the precut strips.
- Use your hot glue gun to attach the end of a strip to the styrofoam ball. From there, it is just a matter of wrapping and gluing. You will have to turn the ball slightly as you go.
- Once the entire ball is wrapped, you can go back and glue down any loose edges.
- Then take a 10 inch piece of jute cord and tie it in a loop. Glue the knot to the ball, so that it can hang on the tree.
Tips for Making DIY Rag Ball Ornaments
If your strip of fabric is too short to cover the entire ball, just glue another one on when you run out.
If you don’t have any jute cord, you could cut a thin strip of fabric to use instead.
Use a variety of fabrics to add some texture to the ornament.
Ripping the fabric gives it some added texture and a rustic look. Cut the first couple of inches, then it should rip more easily from there.
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The site may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As a Revive EO Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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