DIY Rag Ball Christmas Ornaments | Rustic Boho Charm

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Looking to add a touch of handmade charm to your holiday décor this year? We are officially smitten with these DIY rag ball Christmas ornaments! Not only are they super easy to make, you will also be able to use up some of your neutral fabric scraps that you may have lying around the house. I used an old linen table runner as well as a canvas drop cloth and both worked really well.

Now let’s get started on crafting some holiday magic….

Supplies Needed

• Small foam balls or plastic balls (about 2-3 inches in diameter)
• https://amzn.to/4fvWf00Fabric Scraps – you can use an old drop cloth, linen curtain or cotton fabric (any color you prefer; white or natural works well for that rustic boho look). We thought the canvas drop cloth from Amazon worked really well for this project.
• Scissors
• Twine or jute string
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Optional: small paintbrush and coffee or tea for staining, if you want an aged look
  • FYI: We just poured the coffee in a bowl and let the fabric sit for about 30 minutes before removing, so you probably wouldn’t need the paint brush if you go that route

Instructions

1. Cut the Fabric:
   • Cut the drop cloth or cotton fabric into strips that are about 0.5 to 1 inch wide and long enough to wrap around the balls.
   • PRO TIP: For a more rustic look, tear the fabric strips rather than cutting them precisely, which will create frayed edges (love this!)
2. Wrap the Balls:
   • Start by placing one end of a fabric strip on the top of a ball and secure it with a small dab of hot glue.
   • Wrap the fabric strip around the ball, overlapping slightly as you go. Continue until the entire ball is covered.
   • If one strip isn’t enough, start another strip where the first one left off and continue wrapping until the ball is fully covered. Secure the end of the strip with hot glue.
3. Add Twine Hanger:
   • Cut a piece of twine about 8-10 inches long (adjust based on how long you want the hanging loop to be).
   • Fold the twine in half to form a loop, then tie the ends in a knot.
   • Glue the knot to the top of the ball with hot glue, securing it firmly so the ornament can hang. Hold the knot in place for a few seconds until the glue cools and hardens.
4. Optional Aging:
   • For a vintage look, you can stain the fabric with a coffee or tea mixture before you start wrapping around the ornament.
   • Simply dip the fabric strips in coffee or tea, let them soak for a few minutes, then allow them to fully dry before wrapping the balls.
   • PRO TIP: If you want to make the fabric a bit darker, try adding a few scoops of instant coffee to your coffee or tea liquid and stir thoroughly before dipping the fabric strips.
5. Finishing Touches:
   • You can leave the ornaments as they are for a minimalist look or add small embellishments like tiny bells or sprigs of greenery if you want a bit of extra detail.
6. Display:
   • Hang your handmade ornaments on the tree, arrange them in a bowl for a rustic centerpiece, or use them as decorations around the house.

The Finished Product

That was pretty simple, wasn’t it? We love that this DIY rag ball Christmas ornament has such a rustic and minimalist charm. The soft, natural-colored fabric gives it that cozy, farmhouse aesthetic.

The overall feel is understated yet elegant, making these ornaments versatile for various holiday decor styles—from farmhouse and country chic to Scandinavian and minimalist. They look fabulous on the tree, but I also love popping a few in a wooden bowl. Just adds such a warm, handmade touch to my holiday decor!

We also love giving these as gifts, so once you have all of your supplies out, you might as well make a few more for friends and family.

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

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