Learn how to make a keepsake memory ornament using special fabric from a loved one. You can use fabric from a shirt, scarf, blanket, or pillow covering and put it inside a small embroidery hoop to make a beautiful remembrance ornament that will keep their memory alive. The best part is these make amazing gifts for any other family or friends who are grieving the loss with you.
Mini embroidery hoops are a cute craft supply used to make lots of different types of ornaments like an embroidered tree ornament or a keepsake ornament with a child's favorite outfit.
These small embroidery hoops are often 3" in diameter and are sold in packs of multiples.
Today, we are making another type of keepsake ornament using an embroidery hoop and fabric, but this time, it's a memory ornament. The fabric is from my deceased aunt's favorite throw pillows, and the ornaments will be a beautiful reminder of her.
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Why You'll Love This Craft
- This keepsake ornament requires only a few supplies, which are readily available at any craft store or online.
- When a loved one passes away, many are impacted. These keepsake ornaments make amazing gifts for anyone who is grieving the loss when the holidays roll around for the first time.
- You can make them using any type of fabric that was significant. These ornaments use my late aunt's throw pillows, but you could use a favorite shirt, a scarf, or even part of a favorite blanket.
Craft Supplies Needed
- Special Fabric - Choose fabric that is meaningful and significant. Consider clothing, favorite scarves or accessories, or even throw pillows, like I used in this tutorial.
- Mini Embroidery Hoops - We used 3" hoops for these ornaments.
- Scissors - To cut the fabric.
- Hot Glue Gun and Glue - To secure the fabric to the back of the hoop.
How to Make a Keepsake Memory Ornament with Fabric and Hoop
Step 1. Separate the inner and outer embroidery hoops by loosening the screw on the top of the outer hoop.
Decide what part of the fabric you want to use for your ornament.
Place the inner hoop underneath the section of fabric you want to use.
Step 2. Lay the fabric down over the inner hoop, and place the loosened outer hoop on top of the fabric.
Gently push the outer hoop down over the fabric and the inner hoop.
If it doesn't work, loosen the top screw a little bit more until the outer will slide down over the inner hoop.
Tighten the top screw to hold everything in place.
Step 3. Trim the excess fabric around the hoop, leaving about ½" extra.
Step 4. Put hot glue on the inside of the inner hoop.
Step 5. Fold the fabric over and press it into the glue.
Hold it in place until the glue dries.
Step 6. Repeat around the whole ornament, gluing the extra fabric to the inside edge of the inner hoop on the back of your project.
This will finish off the back of the ornament.
Step 7. Add a hanging string of twine through the top screw and knot it at the top.
Common Questions
In this tutorial, I used the pillow covers from my late aunt's throw pillows. They were frilly and pretty, just like she was! You can use any type of fabric that is meaningful and makes you think of the person you lost. Some ideas include shirts, pants, scarves, or even a thin blanket will work.
The fabric just can't be too thick, otherwise it will be difficult to fit into the embroidery hoops.
You need a piece of fabric that is slightly larger than the embroidery hoop you are using. If you are using a 3" embroidery hoop, you don't need much fabric at all. That's a good thing because that means one shirt, scarf, or pillow covering can make a handful of rememberence ornaments! (That's why they make such great gifts!)
This embroidery hoop ornament is perfect for preserving the fabric from a shirt or other clothing item from a departed loved one. You can also use special fabric to make keepsake heart ornaments, and you could even wrap a ball in the fabric like we did in this fabric-wrapped ball ornament tutorial! So many ideas, and all of them make fantastic sentimental gifts for anyone who is grieving the loss alongside you.
This type of memory ornament is easy to make with a favorite shirt or other special piece of fabric, and you can make a batch of them since the hoops are sold in bulk.
You can also make a keepsake memory heart ornament using special fabric.
I love to make these and give them to relatives or friends who are missing a loved one. When it's used as a Christmas ornament, it makes the one who is missing a part of the holidays and gives comfort to those who are grieving.
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How to Make a Keepsake Memory Ornament with Fabric and Hoop
Materials
- Special Fabric
- Embroidery Hoop
- Scissors
- Hot Glue Gun and Glue
Instructions
- Separate the inner and outer embroidery hoops by loosening the screw on the top of the outer hoop.Decide what part of the fabric you want to use for your ornament.Place the inner hoop underneath the section of fabric you want to use.
- Lay the fabric down over the inner hoop, and place the loosened outer hoop on top of the fabric.Gently push the outer hoop down over the fabric and the inner hoop.If it doesn't work, loosen the top screw a little bit more until the outer will slide down over the inner hoop.Tighten the top screw to hold everything in place.
- Trim the excess fabric around the hoop, leaving about ½" extra.
- Put hot glue on the inside of the inner hoop.
- Fold the fabric over and press it into the glue.Hold it in place until the glue dries.
- Repeat around the whole ornament, gluing the extra fabric to the inside edge of the inner hoop on the back of your project.This will finish off the back of the ornament.
- Add a hanging string of twine through the top screw and knot it at the top.
Notes
- You can use any type of significant, meaningful fabric like a favorite shirt, scarf, blanket, or even something like pillow covers.
- You can make a bigger version of this ornament by using a larger embroidery hoop. The process is the same.
- These make incredibly meaningful gifts for anyone who is grieving your loss with you. (Like making them for grandkids after a grandparent passes away.)
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