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Stitch a Felt Angel Christmas Ornament

December 6, 2014 By Lauren at Molly and Mama 31 Comments

I always have had so much fun designing and stitching up decorations for Christmas. Here’s an easy, beginner friendly, step-by-step tutorial to hand sew this lovely little angel with a tiny front pocket for treats. When complete, the angel ornament measures 3″ across and 4.5″ high (without the loop). I created one in pink and one in peach, but you could use more traditional Christmas colours too.

*UPDATED 2020

YOU WILL NEED

  • 6″ x 5″ wool felt for the body. (I love using 100% merino wool felt and you can find out why on this blog.)
  • Felt scraps in your chosen colours, including skin colour, hair colour, wings and pocket.
  • Embroidery floss and needle for hand stitching. Select colours to compliment your felt shades.
  • 3″ of tiny pearl beading for the halo.
  • Sewing cotton to stitch the pearl beading and bow in place.
  • Small sharp scissors for cutting felt.
  • 8″ of narrow ribbon to tie a tiny bow and for a hanging loop.
  • A print out of the template which you can download HERE.
  • Paper scissors for your template.
  • Lighter or heat sealer to seal the bow ends.
  • Optional freezer paper, tracing paper and/or tissue paper.

WHICH STITCH?

The sewing techniques used in this project are simple and easy to complete.

Back stitch is used for the eyes and mouth.

Blanket stitch is used to appliqué the face and pocket to the angel’s body. And it’s also used to stitch the whole project together!

For more detailed instructions for the different stitches, please see my beginner’s guide Stitch Library.

LET’S GET STARTED

Cut out the felt pieces as outlined on the TEMPLATE. I’ve used the freezer paper method for these shapes. For tips on the different methods for cutting out felt, see my comprehensive tutorial HERE.

Here’s the shapes for both versions.

Unless otherwise specified, all stitches are made with two strands of embroidery floss.

Stitch the Face

Trace the face details onto light tissue paper, cut out the face shape and pin or clip onto the circle of felt.

Hand stitch the eyes and mouth using back stitch, directly through the paper. Carefully tear the paper away once complete.  If you prefer, you can also transfer the face design using an erasable marker.  This tutorial outlines different methods to embroider details onto felt, in more detail.

Place the hair piece over the face circle and pin in place. Use small straight stitches, blanket stitch or running stitch to attach the bottom edge of the hair fringe (or bangs) to the face. Only sew the section overlapping the face.

Appliqué the Face

Without cutting the thread, pin or clip the face to one of the body shapes.

Blanket stitch the hair to the body. Change floss colours and blanket stitch the face too.

Add the Halo

Cut your beaded pearls to length and arrange in a halo shape around the angel’s hair. (I put the join for the beads at the top of the angel). Secure the beading by adding small stitches between each pearl using a single strand of complimentary sewing cotton.

Attach the Pocket

Thread your embroidery needle with ‘pocket’ coloured floss. Using blanket stitch, stitch along the top of the pocket to create a ‘hem’.

Once complete, don’t cut off the floss. Pin the pocket to the body piece, and use the remaining thread to secure the pocket to the body using blanket stitch around the other three sides. Once complete, the pocket should remain ‘open’ at the top.

*please note that my stitching might be in a different direction to yours. I’m left handed!

Use a small amount of your ribbon to tie a tiny bow. Trim the ends and heat seal them. Run a flame along the cut ribbon edge to prevent them from fraying. Attach the bow with carefully hidden stitches of a single strand of sewing cotton. Secure well.

Put it All Together

Cut 5″ of ribbon for the loop and fold in half. Stitch the loop to the back side of the angel’s head, so that it is centred on the top. Lay the piece for the back down on a flat surface. Lay the wings over the top of this. Place the top piece over the wings and back piece, and pin together carefully.

Starting at the side of the angel at the neck, blanket stitch the front and back pieces together. Stitch through the wing pieces. This will secure them in place. Stitch carefully around the ribbon loop too. Be sure to secure your stitching well when you return to the start of your stitches.

Your little angel is ready for use! Feel free to personalise your angel with a hand embroidered name or monogram on the pocket. Add the year if you wish too. That way, your keepsake ornament can be treasured always. You could also embellish the wings with some pretty beads, sequins or embroidery.

I really hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial! Perhaps you’d like to try your hand at my tutorial for a cute little felt mouse in her lovely stocking. She’s another decoration that would make an ideal Christmas keepsake.

I love creating with wool felt. In fact, I’ve written some tips for you HERE. And you can see more of my tutorials listed HERE.

Feel free to pop by the STORE to view the full range of Molly and Mama PDF patterns. Here’s a selection of more of my projects made with felt.

Head to my FACEBOOK page or Instagram to share your creations. I also have some gorgeous and inspirational ideas pinned to my Christmas Inspiration board on Pinterest. Feel free to follow along.

Thanks for being here.

Happy stitching, Lauren x

This post was written by Lauren Wright and appeared first on Molly and Mama http://www.MollyandMama.com.au

Filed Under: Christmas, Tutorials Tagged With: angel, Christmas, Christmas decoration, Christmas ornament, Christmas tutorial, decoration, felt, ornament, tutorial, wool felt

Comments

  1. mygyct says

    December 7, 2014 at 2:12 am

    This is so sweet. I love the halo. Really beautiful! Thanks for sharing

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      December 7, 2014 at 9:02 pm

      You’re so welcome. Glad you enjoyed the tutorial! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Sara Soares says

    December 11, 2014 at 5:40 am

    That is so lovely!

    Reply
  3. Beverly Hunt says

    January 8, 2015 at 10:06 am

    What about boy or men angels? I want to do an Angel tree next year in rememberance of my friends and family
    P

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      January 8, 2015 at 11:04 am

      What a lovely idea Beverly!

      Reply
  4. Sue says

    October 16, 2015 at 10:18 pm

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      October 19, 2015 at 8:07 am

      Thank you Sue 🙂

      Reply
  5. Sandra says

    November 11, 2015 at 4:35 am

    I am loving this! Definitely will make this! Or try to ☺this is my first Christmas to sew felt decorations. Thank you for sharing your gorgeous patterns ☺☺

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      November 11, 2015 at 11:20 am

      Thank you so much Sandra! You’ll have so much fun with felt!!

      Reply
  6. Ellen says

    November 11, 2015 at 3:55 pm

    Hi Lauren, thankyou for the tutorial! I followed it and made my first felt ornament! Once I got the knack of blanket stitch the rest was easy to follow. I had to use a burgundy fleece for the body and sewing cotton but it came out fine, just a bit of a different style!
    A question – I make handmade crafts for a charity called Angels for the Forgotten, would it be all right if I made some more ornaments following this pattern to donate? (No one’s making a profit, just spreading holiday cheer to those in need!)

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      November 12, 2015 at 6:49 am

      Hello Ellen, thanks for taking the time to let me know how you’ve enjoyed the tutorial. I’d love for you to make ornaments for ‘Angels for the Forgotten’ and other charities, families and friends. That would just make my whole holiday season! It’s all about sharing our creative talents and the holiday spirit, isn’t it? I’d love to hear how you get on, so be sure to keep in touch! x

      Reply
  7. Celia says

    January 12, 2016 at 12:39 pm

    Lovely! Thanks so much for the tutorial. Is it okay to make creations out of this pattern to sell?Please do let me know. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      January 13, 2016 at 8:09 am

      Hi Celia, thanks for asking. I am happy for you to make items to sell. Please can you make mention that the pattern comes from MollyandMama.com.au on the items though? I would really appreciate that. Thank you!

      Reply
  8. Gail Thompson says

    September 3, 2016 at 10:20 pm

    HI Lauren
    I love all your little christmas decorations, my quilting group supports our local charity Riding for the disabled in the UK. Would it be okay to make a few angels to sell at our christmas fayre.
    Many thanks
    Gail

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      September 7, 2016 at 1:13 pm

      Gail, thank you so much for your comment! I would love for you to use this tutorial for your charity works. What a beautiful idea. Be sure to show me all your finished angels. I’d love to see them. Best wishes x

      Reply
  9. Janis says

    November 7, 2016 at 1:04 am

    Too beautiful. I want to make a few for 2016. Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      November 11, 2016 at 1:38 pm

      I’d like to make more for 2016 too Janis. That sounds like a plan! Thanks for your lovely comment.

      Reply
  10. Susan wostenholm says

    January 17, 2017 at 3:14 am

    I’m not very good at these sorts of things but I’m going to have a good go at it, it is explained so well, thank you

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      February 1, 2017 at 11:17 am

      Thanks for your kind words Susan. I’m so glad you like the tutorial.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 5 Holiday Projects to Craft or Sew - Sew McCool says:
    December 7, 2014 at 5:03 am

    […] beautiful felt angel by Lauren of Molly and […]

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  2. A Christmas Thank You Gift | Molly and Mama says:
    December 9, 2014 at 12:21 am

    […] ← Stitch a Felt Angel Christmas Ornament […]

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  3. Christmas Projects For You To Try | Molly and Mama says:
    December 12, 2014 at 5:32 pm

    […] This little angel decoration even has a tiny treat pocket on the front, so you can put special treasures inside. There’s a PDF pattern and more over HERE. […]

    Reply
  4. Time to Vote! The 12 Days of Christmas blogger challenge - Sew McCool says:
    December 13, 2014 at 9:26 pm

    […] beautiful felt angel by Lauren of Molly and […]

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  5. 10 Favorite Christmas Ornaments | Sew Mama Sew | Outstanding sewing, quilting, and needlework tutorials since 2005. says:
    December 16, 2014 at 12:37 am

    […] Felt Angel Ornament from Molly and Mama Makes […]

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  6. Stitch A Felt Christmas Ornament - Molly and Mama says:
    November 1, 2015 at 9:39 pm

    […] I also have more ideas HERE. […]

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  7. Manualidades Fieltro: Navidad | La Cajita Azul de Rocío says:
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  9. Christmas in July Sewing Patterns - Molly and Mama says:
    July 16, 2016 at 9:15 pm

    […] might also like my Christmas Angel tutorial too! She’s quick, easy, and fun! And I love her little pocket in the front for storing sweet […]

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  10. Crafting for Christmas - Molly and Mama says:
    March 9, 2017 at 10:47 am

    […] And the felt angel is a quick make and super fun too! […]

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  11. Angel Crafts for Kids: a collection of 25+ lovely angel crafts for Christmas says:
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mollyandmama

Studio For Pretty Stitches
🙋🏼‍♀️ Hands up if at least one part of 🙋🏼‍♀️ Hands up if at least one part of your craft room is a hot mess like this sad pile of floss. I’m really looking forward to sorting out some of the problem areas in my work space, as @arabesquescissors and I start our #seworderly challenge. Please join us as we kick off the cleaning and sorting on Monday. Find out more on the blog - there’s a link in my bio 😊

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🍄🤍 Our Summer break is officially over. My d 🍄🤍 Our Summer break is officially over. My daughter starts a new school year today (her last year of primary) and my son heads back on Thursday. So this week has been all about book labelling and uniform washing! 

I must confess that for the first time ever, I’m really looking forward to the return to routine. I’ll be back in the studio each day, hopefully bringing some imagined designs to life! And I’ll be planning and list writing like crazy! 

My toadstool paperclips and bookmark will be getting a workout (while making my planner pretty 😁). There’s a free tutorial for all of these pieces on my blog (visit using the TUTORIALS TAB link in my profile). 

What’s on for the rest of your week? I hope it’s a good one, especially if you have little ones starting or returning to school! 

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I’m so thrilled to be kicking off the #seworderl I’m so thrilled to be kicking off the #seworderly challenge I’m co-hosting with @arabesquescissors during February. Over the next four weeks Ali and I are planning to reorganise our sewing spaces and sort our supplies. If you’re in need of a tidy out, we’d love you to join in! Because it’s more fun if we encourage each other (and there’s some wonderful prizes up for grabs too)!

To start things off this week, we’re asking you to introduce yourself and the areas in your sewing space you need help with. It could be a photo of your room, or just a little view of some supplies you need to clean, reorganize or sort. Post the photo on your public instagram profile using the hashtag #seworderly. 

Join us each week as we tackle different areas and share different tips! Tag friends here who might like to join in. Read all the details on the blog (there’s a link in my profile). 

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After finishing my Summer Rose Pouch, I’m now wo After finishing my Summer Rose Pouch, I’m now working on a simple quilt made with @mabletandesigns new ‘Birds and Blooms’ collection with @pbsfabrics. I think it will be the perfect picnic companion. I love the way Mable’s prints and colours work together 🦜🌼. 

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It’s all in the details 🐰🌸💗 Ask for t It’s all in the details 🐰🌸💗 

Ask for the Easter Dilly Bag pattern at your favourite store (@creative_abundance can help with wholesale orders) or find the instant download pattern in my store(link in bio). Happy stitching! 

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🪡NEW INSTA CHALLENGE! WHO’S IN?🪡 Like man 🪡NEW INSTA CHALLENGE! WHO’S IN?🪡

Like many of you, the new year has already begun with lots of sewing and fun in my studio. But sometimes the aftermath of all of that creating and making is overwhelming. I'm not convinced my sewing space is working for me, or that I have everything set up so that I can use my space, supplies and materials as easily as possible. I'd love to be more intentional about the way I use my sewing studio. My friend Ali from @arabesquescissors feels exactly the same way! 

For the month of February, Ali and I are going to co-host an instagram challenge that helps us sort out what's working in the studio, what's not, and what we can do about it. We'd be really thrilled if you joined us on the journey! We’ll be using the hashtag #seworderly to help bring you tips and tricks that are organised into weekly themes. We’d love to hear your tips too. Between all of us, we’re sure this amazing community can share some wonderful ideas! 

To celebrate the lead up to our challenge, we’re asking you to post a photo on your public profile using the #seworderly hashtag, and sharing where you’d like some organisational help. Who’ll share a ‘before’ shot of their sewing space 🙋🏼‍♀️? 

We’ll be sharing more in the coming week about how to join in and as a little incentive there’ll even be some prizes up for grabs! Follow @mollyandmama and @arabesquescissors to stay in the loop. I’m really looking forward to getting #seworderly! Are you? 

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✨🐝🌼 This was the very first prototype for ✨🐝🌼 This was the very first prototype for my Serious Sewist’s Pin Cushion. There’s something so warm and peaceful about those lemon tones. And I just love the addition of the sparkly gold thread! ✨✨

This sewing pattern now comes with a matching scissor charm too. So sweet! Check out the listing in my store for more details 😄

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Well my sneak preview has turned into a pouch! I d Well my sneak preview has turned into a pouch! I decided to use @mabletandesigns’ fabric ‘Birds & Blooms’ (with @pbsfabrics) to sew a new ipad cover using my Summer Rose Pouch pattern. But once I was finished, I realised it was perfect for a portable sewing kit too. I’m starting on a new colourway of the Nan’s Garden Stitchery in the hoop here. @creative_abundance wholesale the preprinted linens and creative cards for this project. But I will also have the PDF pattern ready to go in the next week! 

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🐰🌸 Who’s thinking about Easter sewing alre 🐰🌸 Who’s thinking about Easter sewing already? I designed this little Easter Dilly Bag pattern as a cute little egg holder for chocolate egg hunts (see those front pockets?). But I’m realising that it will also be perfect for storing my #bittybunnies and the #rosierabbitornament collection, after Easter too! I also created a Christmas version to hold my felt gingerbread ornaments (scroll down my feed to see). 

You can find this pattern in my shop and stores can order wholesale from @creative_abundance 🐰🌸 

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