Ribbon Christmas Tree Ornament

8 Materials
30 Minutes
Easy
Still looking for handcrafted Christmas ornaments to make this holiday season? Since most of us keep ribbon in out stash here's an adorable ribbon tree ornament that uses a Japanese folding ribbon technique called Kanzashi. It was originally meant for hair ornaments but I think the design usage is virtually unlimited! And it's so easy to learn how to do this simple pointy petal folding technique! Here's how:
Begin by cutting 1 1/2" wide ribbon into two different sizes. Fourteen - 1 1/2"x3" rectangles and five - 1 1/2"x1 1/2" squares. It was easy for me to use my Proxxon Hot Wire tool that cuts and seals ribbon at the same time, but it can also be done using scissors and heat from a lighter flame. To make the large and medium petals, take a rectangle size and fold in half and . . .
then open.
Fold corners down together at center forming triangle.
Fold again, bringing the two corners together, forming another triangle.
For the larger petal, hold in tweezers or hair clip and seal edges with flame of a lighter.
To make medium petals, cut 1/8" off edge and then seal with flame.
To make smaller petals, take a square ribbon and fold diagonally into a triangle.
Fold again, forming another triangle. Make sure ends and corners line up.
Using a hair clip or long tweezers, hold the edges and seal using the flame of a lighter.
For the tree ornament, you will need to make - 8 large petals, 6 medium petals, and 5 small petals.
Assemble tree starting with large petals, add glue to the edge of one petal, laying another petal on top, pressing together, and matching sides.
Continue gluing petals together at edges until all are glued together by size.
Glue petal groups on top of each other by size, starting with the larger petals. Secure a hanging thread to top of beaded cone cap and glue onto top of small petals.
Adding a bead cone cap really dresses up the ornament and is now ready to hang on the tree or to give as a gift!
Resources for this project:
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Gail@Purple Hues and Me
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
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  2 questions
  • Senior Chief Senior Chief on Dec 20, 2016
    OK, gotta ask: where did you find the hot wire & seal tool & how expensive was it? So want one!
  • Debbie Debbie on Dec 17, 2020

    How long did it take you to make this cute ornament?

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  • Sheila Ryan Sheila Ryan on Feb 08, 2020

    If you can’t afford the wire cutter you could use a wood burning tool. Cuts & seals. You just have to be quick & careful. Haven’t tried ribbon, but works with the mesh ribbon that you use for wreaths.

    • Gail@Purple Hues and Me Gail@Purple Hues and Me on Feb 09, 2020

      Thanks Sheila! I've wanted to try the wood burning knife. It seems like it might be easier to use!

  • Dl.5660408 Dl.5660408 on Dec 17, 2020

    Excellent instructions for making this sweet little ornaments, thanks!

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