How to Make a Festive Felt Santa Ornament | Spellbinders

A handmade felt Santa ornament is a colorful way to add stitching, texture, and personality to your Christmas décor. In this detailed tutorial, you’ll learn how to die cut wool felt, organize and layer the individual pieces, add embroidery stitches and beads, and finish the project with a secure backing and hanging loop.

The Festive Santa Etched Dies create a playful Santa holding a decorated Christmas tree. The design can be customized with different felt colors, embroidery stitches, sequins, seed beads, buttons, and other embellishments from your craft supplies. Although this tutorial focuses on wool felt, the dies can also be used with cardstock and thin craft foam to create Christmas cards, gift tags, scrapbook embellishments, ornaments, and seasonal decorations.

Hello, crafting friends! It is me again, Beverly Tiemann. I’m a stitcher, cardmaker, mixed-media artist, and quilter. Are you getting into the holiday crafting spirit?

Spellbinders partnered with Anne Oliver from Lolli & Grace to create four wonderful dies for the winter season. The collection includes a beautiful bell, a cute snowman, an adorable snowwoman, and this fantastic Festive Santa. The Santa die is so versatile that, in addition to the wool felt project featured here, I made 11 more Santas using different materials and techniques!

Project Snapshot

Project Details	A layered wool felt Santa holding a decorated Christmas tree, finished with embroidery stitches, beads, sequins, and an optional hanging loop
Skill Level	Intermediate
Approximate Time	3+ hours
Project Type	Handmade felt ornament or Christmas decoration
Techniques	Felt die cutting, layered appliqué, embroidery, beading, sequin attachment, gluing, and dimensional assembly
Occasion	Christmas and winter holiday decorating
Finished Size	Various
Featured Product	Festive Santa Etched Dies by Lolli & Grace

What You’ll Need

Spellbinders Products

• Festive Santa Etched Dies by Lolli & Grace
• Platinum SIX Die Cutting Machine with Universal Plate System
• Merino Wool Felt Sheets - Holiday Collection
• Merino Wool Felt Sheets - Kaleidoscope Collection
• Buttons Galore & More Cool Yule Doo Dadz Embellishments - optional
• Buttons Galore & More Black Buttons - optional

Other Supplies

• Wet glue suitable for felt
• DMC White embroidery floss
• DMC #3849 embroidery floss
• Sashiko needle or Size 24 chenille needle
• Size 26 chenille needle - optional for beading
• Thin beading needle - optional
• Scissors
• Felt marking pen or fine-tip marker
• Quilting clips
• Ribbon or baker’s twine - optional
• 11/0 glass seed beads - optional
• 11/0 2.2mm Antique Gold “E” beads - optional
• 6mm sequins - optional
• Adhesive-backed gems, enamel dots, or pearls - optional

How to Die Cut Wool Felt

Spellbinders Merino Wool Felt can be die cut much like cardstock. Build the Platinum SIX die-cutting sandwich from bottom to top in the following order:

• Plate A - Platform Base
• Plate B - Platform Top
• Plate C - Cutting Plate
• Wool felt
• Etched dies with the cutting edges facing down
• Plate C - Cutting Plate

Arrange the Festive Santa dies over scraps from the Holiday and Kaleidoscope Merino Wool Felt Collections. All the dies pictured in this tutorial fit on the Platinum SIX platform at the same time, allowing you to cut multiple elements in one pass.

Organize the Dies Before Cutting

Organizing the pieces before die cutting can make the process more efficient. Group the dies according to the felt color you plan to use, then refer to the placement guide to identify each piece and determine where it belongs in the finished Santa.

This approach is especially helpful when a set includes several small decorative shapes. It reduces repeated machine passes and makes it less likely that a tiny die or felt piece will be misplaced.

The Festive Santa dies are intended for felt projects, but they also cut other compatible materials. Try cardstock or thin craft foam to create holiday cards, gift tags, scrapbook embellishments, and alternative ornament designs.

Die-Cutting Instructions for the Festive Santa

Use the following colors and quantities as a guide when cutting the felt pieces:

• Snow felt: Die cut two back or base pieces using the largest die.
• Snow felt: Die cut one foundation Santa using the smaller Santa outline.
• Snow felt: Die cut one beard and one eyebrow and mustache piece.
• Potion felt: Die cut one set of boot highlights, one tree trunk, and one zigzag trim.
• Rosy felt: Die cut one face.
• Pansy felt: Die cut one coat and one sleeve.
• Magic felt: Die cut the diamonds, mittens, hat foldover, and hat base.
• Candy felt: Die cut the pom-pom, hat trim, bottom trim, and both cuffs.
• Hunter felt: Die cut one tree, both boots, and one thin trim band.

Designer Tip: Save the scraps left after cutting the larger pieces. Small scraps are useful for the trim, mittens, facial features, tree decorations, and future felt projects.

How to Assemble the Felt Santa Layers

Step 1 - Arrange the Pieces on the Foundation

Begin with the smaller foundation Santa piece. Arrange the coat, face, beard, hat, tree, boots, trims, and other die-cut elements over the foundation to confirm their placement and layering order.

Refer to the included placement guide as you work. Checking the entire arrangement before applying glue helps identify pieces that need to overlap and prevents a lower layer from accidentally covering a decorative detail.

Step 2 - Glue the Main Felt Pieces

Attach the main felt pieces to the foundation with wet glue. Avoid applying glue directly beneath areas that will be embroidered or beaded because dried adhesive can make it difficult to push a needle through the felt.

The first large back or base layer can be added either before or after the embroidery is complete. Attaching it first provides additional stability while you stitch, but attaching it afterward reduces the chance of the needle encountering dried glue.

The second back or base layer should remain separate until all the stitching and embellishing are complete. Allow every glued section to dry thoroughly before introducing the needle.

Designer Tip: Apply glue with a light hand: “Wiggle, wiggle, just a squiggle,” or “Dot, dot, not a lot.” Small amounts of glue help prevent stiffness, seepage, and blocked stitching areas.

Choose the Embroidery and Embellishments

There are several ways to construct and decorate the Festive Santa. The eyes can be made with glass seed beads, French knots, or tiny buttons. The sample shown combines embroidery stitches, seed beads, sequins, and die-cut wool felt from the Holiday and Kaleidoscope Merino Wool Felt Collections.

You can also use adhesive-backed gems, enamel dots, pearls, or other small decorations from your craft supplies. The design does not need to match the sample exactly. Use the die-cut guides as a starting point and adjust the embellishments to suit your style and available materials.

Mark the Decorative Placement

For precise placement of stitches and beads, mark small guide points on the wool felt before stitching. Because wool fibers can separate, a marker or pen is generally easier to use than chalk or a fabric pencil.

A regular graphite pencil can be used when the mark will be completely covered by a larger bead, sequin, or embellishment. Avoid using graphite for exposed markings because pencil can be difficult to remove from wool felt.

Basic Embroidery Stitches for Felt

If embroidery is new to you, practice the stitches on a scrap of fabric or wool felt before working on the finished project. Most of the Festive Santa can be decorated with simple straight or stab stitches. French knots can be replaced with beads, and any optional decorative stitches can be omitted for a simpler design.

The Royal School of Needlework Stitch Bank offers instructions for the stitches used in this project:

• Stab Stitch - useful for appliqué and attaching beads or sequins
• Straight Stitch - used for the snowflake-style motifs and simple details
• Back Stitch - used for continuous decorative lines
• Running Stitch - also useful as a temporary basting stitch
• Detached Chain Stitch - also known as the Daisy, Lazy Daisy, Single Chain, or Loop Stitch
• French Knot - useful for eyes and small decorative dots

How to Embroider and Bead the Festive Santa

Step 3 - Select the Needle and Floss

Choose a needle with a sharp point and a large eye, such as a Sashiko needle or Size 24 chenille needle. Thread the needle with two or three strands of white embroidery floss cut to approximately 36 inches. Knot the end of the floss before beginning.

The knots and thread ends will eventually be covered by the second back layer, so they will not be visible on the finished project.

Step 4 - Embroider the Pom-Pom and Trim

Sew straight stitches across one another to create small asterisk-shaped motifs on the pom-pom, coat sleeve trim, and bottom trim. Space the stitched motifs evenly or use small placement marks to guide the design.

These simple crossed stitches create a snowflake-like effect without requiring an advanced embroidery technique.

Step 5 - Embroider the Beard and Mustache

Add straight or running stitches to the beard. Use detached chain or Daisy stitches on the mustache to introduce a curved, textured detail.

You can reduce the amount of stitching for a simpler Santa or add more rows and decorative details for a fuller embroidered finish.

Step 6 - Decorate the Christmas Tree

Use light blue embroidery floss to add backstitches and detached chain stitches to the tree. These stitches can represent garland, branches, snow, or other decorative details.

Add sequins and beads with stab stitches. A single strand of white or blue embroidery floss and a thin beading needle work well for small beads. The eye beads in this sample were attached with blue floss.

Alternatively, use two strands of embroidery floss and a Size 26 chenille needle if the needle fits through the bead openings.

Step 7 - Add the Eyes and Final Embellishments

Create the eyes with French knots or substitute small seed beads. Continue adding French knots, beads, sequins, or other embellishments wherever desired.

Secure each decorative element without pulling the floss too tightly. Excessive tension can distort or cut through the wool felt.

How to Finish the Felt Santa Ornament

Step 8 - Attach the Back Layer

Once all the stitching and embellishing are complete, glue the second large back or base layer behind the finished Santa. Work in stages rather than applying glue to the entire piece at once. This gives you more control over the alignment and helps keep the edges neat.

The backing layer encloses the embroidery knots, thread ends, and the reverse side of the stitching, giving the ornament a clean finish from both sides.

Step 9 - Add the Hanging Loop

Cut an approximately 11-inch piece of ribbon or baker’s twine and fold it in half to form a loop. Position the cut ends between the two back or base layers before sealing the top of the ornament.

Apply glue around the ribbon ends, press the layers together, and hold the area with a quilting clip until the adhesive has set.

Tips for the Best Results

• Organize by color: Group dies that will cut from the same felt color to streamline the die-cutting process.
• Use the placement guide: Arrange every layer before gluing to confirm the correct order and orientation.
• Save your felt scraps: Small scraps are ideal for trim, decorations, facial features, and future projects.
• Use glue sparingly: Too much adhesive can seep through the felt, create stiff areas, and interfere with stitching.
• Avoid stitching through glue: Place adhesive away from the areas where the needle will pass through the felt.
• Let the glue dry completely: Stitching through damp adhesive can be difficult and may transfer glue to the needle and floss.
• Test stitches first: Practice unfamiliar stitches on a scrap of felt before adding them to the Santa.
• Mark embellishment placement: Use a fine-tip marker for consistent spacing, but make sure every mark will be covered.
• Use a sharp needle: A sharp point passes through multiple felt layers more easily than a blunt needle.
• Do not overtighten the floss: Use gentle, even tension to avoid distorting or cutting the wool felt.
• Clip the backing in place: Quilting clips help keep the edges aligned while the final layer dries.

Ways to Customize Your Festive Santa

• Use traditional red, green, and white felt for a classic Christmas Santa.
• Choose purple, aqua, pink, or rainbow felt for a bright contemporary version.
• Replace the seed-bead eyes with French knots or tiny black buttons.
• Add metallic embroidery floss to the hat, coat, or Christmas tree.
• Use pearls, enamel dots, rhinestones, or adhesive-backed gems instead of sewn beads.
• Omit the beads and sequins for a softer, embroidery-only ornament.
• Cut the Santa from cardstock or thin craft foam for holiday cards and gift tags.
• Add a name or year to the backing to create a personalized keepsake.
• Use the finished Santa as a gift topper instead of adding a hanging loop.
• Create several Santas in different color palettes and hang them together as a garland.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Festive Santa dies cut wool felt?

Yes. The Festive Santa Etched Dies are designed to cut wool felt. Use the standard Platinum SIX sandwich with the felt positioned between the cutting plates and the dies placed cutting-side down.

Can I use materials other than felt?

Yes. The dies can also be used with cardstock and thin craft foam to create holiday cards, ornaments, gift tags, and scrapbook embellishments.

Do I need to know advanced embroidery stitches?

No. Simple straight, stab, and running stitches can be used for most of the project. More decorative stitches, such as detached chain stitches and French knots, are optional and can be replaced with beads or other embellishments.

What can I use for the Santa’s eyes?

The eyes can be made with French knots, glass seed beads, or tiny buttons. Choose the option that works best with your materials and preferred stitching technique.

Why should I avoid applying glue beneath the stitching areas?

Dried adhesive can make it difficult to push the needle through the felt. Apply small amounts of glue away from the stitching holes and decorative areas whenever possible.

How do I hide the embroidery knots and thread ends?

Complete all the stitching before adding the final back or base layer. Once the backing is glued in place, it conceals the knots, thread ends, and reverse side of the embroidery.

How can I turn the felt Santa into an ornament?

Fold an approximately 11-inch piece of ribbon or baker’s twine into a loop. Glue the cut ends between the two back layers before sealing the top of the Santa.

More Wool Felt Stitching Ideas from Spellbinders

• How to Make Stitched Felt Pooh Bear and Hunny Pot Ornaments
• Step by Step Tutorial: How To Create the Felt Berry Blossom

Create a Colorful Santa for Your Christmas Décor

The Festive Santa Etched Dies provide plenty of opportunities to combine colorful wool felt with embroidery, beads, sequins, and embellishments. By organizing the pieces before cutting, applying glue carefully, and working through the decorative stitching one section at a time, you can create a detailed handmade Santa with a clean, finished backing.

In addition to decorating a Christmas tree, the finished Santas can be used as gift toppers or displayed in windows, across doorways, on wreaths, or as part of a festive garland. Change the colors, stitches, and materials to make each Santa completely different.

I used all four dies from this Lolli & Grace collection to decorate a wreath. You can also find my colorful 12 Days of Festive Santa series, featuring different materials and techniques, on my blog.

I hope you enjoy creating many Festive Santas, too! Thank you for visiting today. If you make your own Santa, tag me on Instagram. I would love to see what you create!

About the Designer

Beverly Tiemann is a stitcher, cardmaker, mixed-media artist, and quilter who enjoys creating handmade gifts and seasonal decorations for the home. Visit Beverly’s blog to explore her 12 Days of Festive Santa projects, or follow her on Instagram for more stitching and mixed-media inspiration.