DIY Felt Cactus Christmas Ornaments

Long gone are the days of red and green Christmases. For the last few years, color and creativity have reigned supreme for all things Christmas décor. We’re talking rainbow trees and unicorn trees and so much more!

DIY Felt Cactus Christmas Ornaments

Today we’re bringing plant lady vibes to your tree with simple to sew felt cactus Christmas ornaments.

Want to see how simple it is to make your own?

see more DIY Christmas ornaments

Materials Needed for Felt Cactus Christmas Ornaments

• Clover Green Felt
• Chartreuse Green Felt
• Kelly Green Felt
• Pink Felt
• Matching Embroidery Floss
• Contrasting Embroidery Floss
• Sulky Stick N Stitch
• Thin Ribbon
• Tacky Glue
• Free Printable Cactus Ornament Pattern

For this project, I am using wool blend felt purchased from Benzie Design.

Tools Needed for Felt Cactus Ornaments

• Sharp Scissors
• Embroidery Needle

How to Make Felt Cactus Christmas Ornaments

Print the free felt cactus ornament pattern onto Sulky Stick N Stitch. (3 pages) Laserjet ink will bleed onto light colors. If possible, print it out on a machine that uses toner, instead.

Cut each cactus shape out leaving space around the outer edge of the design. There are 6 total designs with a front and back of each for a total of 12 pieces.

Peel the transfer off of the backing sheet and apply directly onto your felt.

Using contrasting embroidery floss, stitch the lines and cactus prickles on each cactus piece through the Sulky Stick N Stitch. Though the lines go all of the ways to the outer edge, stop your stitches before you reach this line. It’s the cut line and any stitches that coincide with that line will get cut.

Once stitched cut around the outer edge with a pair of sharp scissors.

Place the felt pieces inside a bowl of warm water and gently agitate to remove the pattern. Do not stretch the pieces. Gently blot each piece to remove excess moisture and lay out to dry completely. A cookie sheet works well to dry both sides at the same time.

Cut a piece of ribbon 3-5 inches long and fold in half. Stitch the cut ends onto the backside of one cactus piece making shallow stitches that are not visible from the front of the felt piece.

Using 2 strands from matching embroidery floss, place the matching cactus pieces back to back and make tiny blanket stitches around to close. When you get to the ribbon hanger, tack the 2 pieces together with a little stretch of running stitch.

Fill the cactus ornament with Polyfil as areas of each design are accessible. Use a wood skewer or a pencil to help fill out the shapes evenly.

Continue the blanket stitch to the beginning and tie off. Run the needle and thread through to the center of the ornament to hide the tail. Pull slightly taut and trim close to the felt. Release and the tail will be lodged inside of the ornament.

For each cactus flower cut a piece of pink felt that is 0.25-0.5” wide and 6-8” long. Cut triangles out of one of the long edges of the felt piece.

Roll the felt with the long flat side as the bottom and a flower will form. Hold tightly (or run a pin through the flower to hold) and place a small amount of glue on the back of the felt. Once the flower will hold the shape on its own, glue directly onto your cactus ornaments.