Step into the world of festive craftsmanship with our online tutorial and pattern pack, showcasing the creation of seven distinct Christmas balls and an additional charming cone ornament – all meticulously designed from luxurious leather.
Explore the intricacies of crafting these unique ornaments that promise to add sophistication and warmth to your holiday décor. From traditional to modern styles, these handcrafted leather Christmas ornaments are the perfect festive addition.
Join us on this crafting journey as we adorn your holiday season with the timeless elegance of leather-crafted ornaments!
The initial steps to make each balls are identical, thus we will use one of the options (namely option 7) as an example but the process will be the same for the other balls.
Since each ball is stitched and assembled differently the stitching procedure for each ball will be explained separately.
Print out the pattern corresponding to the option that you will be working on.
Make sure that the pattern is not resized by checking your print settings. You can check if it was printed properly by measuring the reference found at the bottom of each page.
Securing the pieces of the pattern to the leather
Roughly cut around the shape(s) of the pattern and use masking tape to secure it to your piece of leather.
Punching the stitching holes
Use a hole punch to punch the stitching holes for all the pieces, as well as the hole that will accommodate the swivel rivet.
Cutting-out the pieces of leather
Using a pair of scissors or an X-Acto knife, cut-out all the pieces of the ornament.
Painting the leather
I wanted the surface of the balls to be reflective to evoke some of that holiday spirit pazazz. To that effect I used a combination of angelus metallic leather paints to paint the surface of each ornament.
Assembly and stitching procedures for each ball
Option 1 – Single spiral
Start stitching from the top swirl – where the swivel rivet will be located.
I used a baseball stitch to allow for some variation between the balls but a cross-stitch would do just fine.
After you get a few stitches in, screw-on the swivel rivet.
You could add it right from the start but I preferred to wait in order to position it on top of the thread in case the base of the rivet overlapped with the first stitch.
Stitch all along the spiral until you reach the end of the bottom swirl.
Option 2 – Double spiral
Start stitching the two bottom swirls together – the swirl of each spiral that does not possesses half a hole to accommodate the swivel rivet.
It does not matter which side of the two spirals you choose to stitch along.
A cross-stitch is used here.
Eventually you will reach the opposite swirls of the two spirals. Once you reach the tip, continue stitching along the opposite edges for a few stitches in order to secure the top.
Then screw-on the swivel rivet.
Continue stitching along the edges until you reach your starting point!
Option 3 – Vertical slices
Start by stitching two of the 8 sides of the sphere together along their edge using a cross-stitch.
Pay attention to the orientation of the sides as the top side has a cut corner to accommodate for the swivel rivet.
Once you reach the last two edges, put in a few stitches to secure the top and screw-on the swivel rivet.
Use a little washer if the hole formed by the tip of all the slices is a bit too wide compared the the base of the screw.
Stitch along the last edge to close the sphere. I wanted to avoid that pomegranate look so I glued all the tips edges together.
Option 4 – Twisted vertical slices
Start by stitching two of the 6 sides of the sphere together along their edge using a cross-stitch.
Once you reach the last two edges, put in a few stitches to secure the top and screw-on the swivel rivet.
Stitch along the last edge to close the sphere.
Option 5 – Floating twisted vertical slices
Start by stitching the 6 sides of the sphere to the top piece – it can be distinguished from the bottom because it has a hole to accommodate for the swivel rivet.
Each side is separated from the next by one stitching hole.
A saddle stitch is used here.
After all sides are stitched to the top, screw-on the swivel rivet.
Before you tighten it fully, make sure that the 6 sides are evenly distributed around the top.
Stitch the opposite tips to the bottom piece.
Finally manually work the curve of each side in order to shape the ball as a sphere.
Option 6 – Overlapping vertical slices
Start by stitching the 8 sides of the sphere to the top piece – it can be differentiated from the bottom because it has a hole to accommodate for the swivel rivet.
Each left edge of each sides overlaps the consecutive one.
A saddle stitch is used here.
Next, stitch each 8 pairs of overlapping edges together.
Finally stitch-on the bottom part using curved needles.
Option 7 – Horizontal slices
Start by stitching from the top dome using a cross stitch – it can be distinguished from the bottom dome because it has a hole to accommodate for the swivel rivet.
Stitch on the next strip as well.
At that point you can screw-on the swivel rivet.
Stitch-on the next strip to complete the top half sphere.
Repeat the process to complete the bottom half sphere.
Finally join the two half sphere by stitching on the center strip.
Option 8 – Cone
The pattern of the cone is the same as the single spiral except that the edges are stitched overlapping instead of contiguous.
Start stitching from the top swirl – where the swivel rivet will be located.
A saddle-stitch is used here.
After you get a few stitches in, screw-on the swivel rivet.
Stitch all along the spiral until you reach the end of the bottom swirl.
Adding the loop
Add the hanging loop by threading a cord or a thin chain as I am using here through the ring of the swivel rivet.
Final result
I hope you enjoyed following along this tutorial. Please consider posting a photo of your creation in the comments below. It would mean a lot to me to see my little projects out into the world as you make it your own.
Any feedback/question about this tutorial or project idea that you’d like to see posted here is and always will be more than welcome.
Happy crafting!
Footnotes
The following online content provided some assistance and/or inspiration during the making of this project:
Tutorial
Making christmas balls with leather
5 hours/ball
Intermediate
Common for leathercraft
Step into the world of festive craftsmanship with our online tutorial and pattern pack, showcasing the creation of seven distinct Christmas balls and an additional charming cone ornament – all meticulously designed from luxurious leather.
Explore the intricacies of crafting these unique ornaments that promise to add sophistication and warmth to your holiday décor. From traditional to modern styles, these handcrafted leather Christmas ornaments are the perfect festive addition.
Join us on this crafting journey as we adorn your holiday season with the timeless elegance of leather-crafted ornaments!
Requirements
Skills
Tools
Bill of Materials
Pattern
8 Christmas Balls – Hanging Leather Ornaments Patterns Pack
Walk-through
The initial steps to make each balls are identical, thus we will use one of the options (namely option 7) as an example but the process will be the same for the other balls.
Since each ball is stitched and assembled differently the stitching procedure for each ball will be explained separately.
Printing and cutting-out the pattern
You can get the patterns here if you haven’t already.
Print out the pattern corresponding to the option that you will be working on.
Make sure that the pattern is not resized by checking your print settings. You can check if it was printed properly by measuring the reference found at the bottom of each page.
Securing the pieces of the pattern to the leather
Roughly cut around the shape(s) of the pattern and use masking tape to secure it to your piece of leather.
Punching the stitching holes
Use a hole punch to punch the stitching holes for all the pieces, as well as the hole that will accommodate the swivel rivet.
Cutting-out the pieces of leather
Using a pair of scissors or an X-Acto knife, cut-out all the pieces of the ornament.
Painting the leather
I wanted the surface of the balls to be reflective to evoke some of that holiday spirit pazazz. To that effect I used a combination of angelus metallic leather paints to paint the surface of each ornament.
Assembly and stitching procedures for each ball
Option 1 – Single spiral
Start stitching from the top swirl – where the swivel rivet will be located.
I used a baseball stitch to allow for some variation between the balls but a cross-stitch would do just fine.
After you get a few stitches in, screw-on the swivel rivet.
You could add it right from the start but I preferred to wait in order to position it on top of the thread in case the base of the rivet overlapped with the first stitch.
Stitch all along the spiral until you reach the end of the bottom swirl.
Option 2 – Double spiral
Start stitching the two bottom swirls together – the swirl of each spiral that does not possesses half a hole to accommodate the swivel rivet.
It does not matter which side of the two spirals you choose to stitch along.
A cross-stitch is used here.
Eventually you will reach the opposite swirls of the two spirals. Once you reach the tip, continue stitching along the opposite edges for a few stitches in order to secure the top.
Then screw-on the swivel rivet.
Continue stitching along the edges until you reach your starting point!
Option 3 – Vertical slices
Start by stitching two of the 8 sides of the sphere together along their edge using a cross-stitch.
Pay attention to the orientation of the sides as the top side has a cut corner to accommodate for the swivel rivet.
Once you reach the last two edges, put in a few stitches to secure the top and screw-on the swivel rivet.
Use a little washer if the hole formed by the tip of all the slices is a bit too wide compared the the base of the screw.
Stitch along the last edge to close the sphere. I wanted to avoid that pomegranate look so I glued all the tips edges together.
Option 4 – Twisted vertical slices
Start by stitching two of the 6 sides of the sphere together along their edge using a cross-stitch.
Once you reach the last two edges, put in a few stitches to secure the top and screw-on the swivel rivet.
Stitch along the last edge to close the sphere.
Option 5 – Floating twisted vertical slices
Start by stitching the 6 sides of the sphere to the top piece – it can be distinguished from the bottom because it has a hole to accommodate for the swivel rivet.
Each side is separated from the next by one stitching hole.
A saddle stitch is used here.
After all sides are stitched to the top, screw-on the swivel rivet.
Before you tighten it fully, make sure that the 6 sides are evenly distributed around the top.
Stitch the opposite tips to the bottom piece.
Finally manually work the curve of each side in order to shape the ball as a sphere.
Option 6 – Overlapping vertical slices
Start by stitching the 8 sides of the sphere to the top piece – it can be differentiated from the bottom because it has a hole to accommodate for the swivel rivet.
Each left edge of each sides overlaps the consecutive one.
A saddle stitch is used here.
Next, stitch each 8 pairs of overlapping edges together.
Finally stitch-on the bottom part using curved needles.
Option 7 – Horizontal slices
Start by stitching from the top dome using a cross stitch – it can be distinguished from the bottom dome because it has a hole to accommodate for the swivel rivet.
Stitch on the next strip as well.
At that point you can screw-on the swivel rivet.
Stitch-on the next strip to complete the top half sphere.
Repeat the process to complete the bottom half sphere.
Finally join the two half sphere by stitching on the center strip.
Option 8 – Cone
The pattern of the cone is the same as the single spiral except that the edges are stitched overlapping instead of contiguous.
Start stitching from the top swirl – where the swivel rivet will be located.
A saddle-stitch is used here.
After you get a few stitches in, screw-on the swivel rivet.
Stitch all along the spiral until you reach the end of the bottom swirl.
Adding the loop
Add the hanging loop by threading a cord or a thin chain as I am using here through the ring of the swivel rivet.
Final result
I hope you enjoyed following along this tutorial. Please consider posting a photo of your creation in the comments below. It would mean a lot to me to see my little projects out into the world as you make it your own.
Any feedback/question about this tutorial or project idea that you’d like to see posted here is and always will be more than welcome.
Happy crafting!
Footnotes
The following online content provided some assistance and/or inspiration during the making of this project: