Junior Rasmussen
Many people choose to craft Christmas ornaments from their wedding dresses as a way to preserve their dress without letting it collect dust. This can be a quick and easy project, with some people completing it in under 10 minutes. The process involves cutting out pieces of the dress, such as embroidery, lace, or plain fabric, and inserting them into plastic ornaments. Some people add personal touches such as tags with the couple's name and wedding date, or using ribbon from the wedding bouquet. Others opt for a simple ornament with just the dress scraps, or add glitter for a glamorous touch. This project is a creative way to upcycle a wedding dress and create a unique, special memory for the Christmas tree.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Materials | Scraps of fabric (lace, embroidery, silk, satin, netting), plastic or <co: 1,7>glass ornaments, tweezers, glue, glitter, ribbon, pins, brooches, beads, appliques |
| Customization | Add a tag with the couple's name, wedding date, or other details; etch names, initials, or dates into glass ornaments |
| Other uses | Angel Toppers for Christmas trees, Angel Gowns |
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$4.99 $5.99
What You'll Learn
Cutting out the pieces of the dress
To create Christmas ornaments from a wedding dress, you will first need to cut out the pieces of the dress that you want to use. The thin fabric with embroidery is ideal for this. It is important to cut around the design without clipping the stitching. Separate the fabric into 5-7" pieces. If your dress has any lace or silk, you can cut some scraps from these parts of the dress. You can also cut out pieces of ribbon from your bouquet, as well as any pins, to add extra detail to your ornament. If you want to add some sparkle to your ornament, you can cut out larger pieces of the dress fabric to work with.
When cutting out the fabric, it is important to be precise and careful. You don't want to accidentally cut through any of the embroidery or beading, as this will impact the final look of your ornament. Take your time with this step, as it is important to get it right. Use sharp scissors or a craft knife to ensure clean cuts.
If you are using a sphere or bulb-shaped ornament, you will need to cut the fabric to fit inside. Cut the fabric into small enough pieces that can be easily inserted into the ornament. You may need to use tweezers to help you insert the fabric into the small opening. Cut enough fabric to fill the ornament and create a full, rounded shape.
If you are using a flat ornament shape, such as a disc or a star, you will need to cut the fabric to fit the shape and size of the ornament. Place the ornament template over the fabric and carefully cut around it, leaving a small border of fabric around the edge. This will ensure that the fabric covers the entire ornament and creates a neat finish.
Once you have cut out all the pieces of the dress, you can move on to assembling your ornament. The next steps will involve inserting the fabric into the ornament, adding any additional details or decorations, and finishing it off with a ribbon or hanging loop. By cutting out the pieces carefully and choosing the right fabric for your ornament, you will be well on your way to creating a beautiful and unique Christmas decoration from your wedding dress.
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Using tweezers to put fabric into the bulb
To make Christmas ornaments from a wedding dress, you can use plastic or glass bulbs. If you're using glass, it's recommended to use long tweezers to carefully place the fabric inside the bulb.
First, cut out the pieces of the dress that you want to use. The thin fabric with embroidery is ideal for this. Cut around the design, being careful not to clip the stitching. Separate the fabric into 5-7" pieces. You can also set aside some plain wispy fabric to use as backing for the embroidery.
Now, get a pair of tweezers and use them to carefully place the embroidered fabric into the bulb. Make sure to keep the design facing out. Use the tweezers to gently push and arrange the fabric inside the bulb, ensuring that the design is visible and not tangled or bunched up.
If you're working with a top-filling ornament ball, long tweezers will be especially helpful to reach inside and place the fabric exactly where you want it. You can also use the tweezers to adjust any fabric that may have shifted or folded during the filling process.
Tweezers are a precise tool that will help you create a neat and carefully arranged ornament. They allow you to work with delicate fabrics and intricate designs without damaging them. You can also use the tweezers to add other small decorative elements to your ornament, such as glitter, sequins, or small pine cones.
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Adding personalisation
Embroidered Details
If you're handy with a needle and thread, consider embroidering personal details onto the fabric of your ornaments. This could include your initials, your last name, or your wedding date. You could also embroider meaningful words or phrases that hold a special significance for you and your partner.
Tags and Ribbons
Attaching tags or ribbons to your ornaments is another way to add a personal touch. You can write or engrave your names, wedding date, or a meaningful message on the tags. Ribbons can also be used to hang your ornaments, adding a decorative and personalised touch.
Family Names and Memories
Involve your family in the personalisation process by creating ornaments that celebrate your loved ones. You can add names, commemorate a baby's first Christmas, or honour precious pets. These ornaments will become cherished keepsakes for your family.
Special Dates and Places
Commemorate special dates and places that hold a significant meaning for you. This could be the date you met your partner, your first vacation together, or the location of your wedding. Adding these details will make your ornaments unique and filled with personal memories.
Photos and Invitations
Include photos or pieces of your wedding invitation inside the ornaments. You can use a glue gun to secure the items in place and add a personalised touch that celebrates your special day. You can also use ribbons or pins from your bouquet to enhance the sentimental value of the ornaments.
There are endless ways to personalise your Christmas ornaments made from wedding dresses. Get creative, and don't be afraid to experiment with different techniques to make them truly yours.
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Attaching ribbons
To attach ribbons to your Christmas ornaments, start by cutting small sections of ribbon. You can use leftover scraps of ribbon or buy new ones. Next, fold the ribbon sections into triangles. You can use tweezers to help with this step. Then, pin the ribbon triangles to your ornament. If you are using a foam ball as your ornament base, you can pin the ribbons directly to it.
Finally, decide how you want to hang your ornament with the ribbons. You can use a simple knot, which is easy to tie and stays put. Alternatively, you can tie the ribbons in a double knot at the top of your ornament for hanging. If you are using a ready-made ornament, you can also attach the ribbons using a glue gun.
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Donating the rest of the dress
If you're looking to donate the rest of your wedding dress, there are several charitable organisations that accept donations of wedding dresses. Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organisation that collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for women-focused charities. They accept donations of new and once-worn dresses, either by mail or in person at one of their locations.
Another organisation to consider is Brides Against Breast Cancer, which resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection. The Brides Project is also a great option, especially if you're based in Michigan. They raise money through the resale of donated wedding dresses for programs and services at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor.
If you're interested in supporting military personnel and their spouses, Brides Across America donates wedding dresses to military and first responder brides at Operation Wedding Gown events twice a year. The NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program is another organisation that accepts wedding dress donations. They use the donated dresses to create gowns for photos and burial services for infants who have passed away. Similarly, The Emma and Evan Foundation transforms donated wedding dresses into Angel Gowns, which are offered free of charge to hospitals, birthing centres, funeral homes, and grieving families.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need scraps of fabric from your wedding dress, including any lace, embroidery, beading, appliques, or netting. You can also add in ribbon, pins, or glitter for extra decoration. Additionally, you will need plastic ornaments, a glue gun, and tweezers.
First, cut out the pieces of the dress that you want to use. Cut around any designs or embroidery without clipping the stitching. Separate the fabric into 5-7" pieces. Then, use tweezers to put the fabric into the plastic ornament, ensuring that any designs face outward. You can add in extra decorations, such as ribbon or pins, and use a glue gun to secure them in place.
You can personalise the ornaments by etching your initials, last name, or wedding date onto the plastic ornament. You can also add a tag with your name and wedding date, or use ribbon from your wedding bouquet to hang the ornament.
