Christmas Bird Sewing Ornaments – Free Felt Pattern & Tutorial
These adorable Christmas bird sewing ornaments are a sweet and easy holiday sewing project. Made with felt and simple hand-stitching, they can be used as Christmas tree ornaments, gift decorations, stocking embellishments, or handmade holiday gifts.
The pattern includes a cute bird body, wings, beak, bow, Santa hat, scarf, and decorative details, allowing you to create several different Christmas bird designs.
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Materials
- Felt in red, green, cream, pink, orange, and white
- Embroidery floss in coordinating colors
- Sewing needle
- Sharp fabric scissors
- Polyester fiberfill
- Black beads or small safety eyes for the eyes
- Fabric glue or hot glue, optional
- Red ribbon for hanging
- Small piece of metallic or gold thread for the bow
- Pencil or fabric marker
- Paper for transferring the pattern
- Pins or sewing clips
Optional Materials
For additional decoration, you can use:
- Small buttons
- Sequins
- Embroidery thread
- Tiny pom-poms
- Decorative trims
Christmas Bird Ornament Sewing Pattern
The pattern shown in the image contains the following pieces:
- 2 bird body pieces
- 2 wing pieces
- 1 beak
- Bow pieces
- Bow center
- Santa hat
- Hat band
- Pom-pom
- Scarf
- Decorative pieces
The pattern can be enlarged or reduced when printing depending on the desired size of your ornament.
Tip: If you are using the pattern from the image, print it at your preferred size and cut around the solid outer lines. The inner dashed line can be used as a guide for the stitching/seam allowance.
Step 1 – Cut the Felt Pieces
Transfer the pattern pieces onto paper first and cut them out.
Place each paper template on the appropriate color of felt and trace around it.
Cut:
- Two identical bird body pieces.
- Two wing pieces.
- One small orange beak.
- The pieces needed for the bow, if making the bow version.
- The Santa hat pieces for the Christmas hat version.
- The scarf pieces for the scarf version.
For a classic Christmas color combination, use red and cream felt with green wings.
For another variation, try a green bird with red wings and a Santa hat.
Step 2 – Add the Bird’s Face
Before sewing the bird together, add the eye.
Place a small black bead or safety eye on each bird body.
Sew the eye securely in place.
If the ornament will be handled by small children, embroider the eye with black embroidery floss instead of using a bead.
Step 3 – Make the Beak
Fold the small orange felt triangle in half.
Sew or glue the two sides together if desired.
Position the beak at the front of the bird, between the two body pieces.
You can attach it before sewing the body together so that it is securely held between the layers.
Step 4 – Add the Wings
Position one wing on each side of the bird.
The wings shown in the design are slightly rounded and decorative.
Pin each wing in place.
Using contrasting embroidery floss, sew around the edge of the wing with a blanket stitch or simple whip stitch.
For a traditional Christmas look, use cream or white thread against green or red felt.
Step 5 – Decorate the Bird
This is where you can personalize your ornament.
Add small embroidered details to the bird using white or contrasting embroidery floss.
For the pink bird, for example, you can embroider small snowflake or star shapes on the body.
You can also add:
- Tiny stars
- Snowflakes
- French knots
- Small stitches
- Buttons
- Sequins
Keep the decorations relatively small so the bird retains its simple, handmade appearance.
Step 6 – Sew the Bird Body
Place the two bird body pieces together, making sure the edges line up.
If you are using a beak, place it between the layers at the front of the bird.
Start sewing around the outside edge using embroidery floss.
A blanket stitch works especially well for felt ornaments and creates the decorative stitched edge seen in the example.
Leave a small opening near the bottom of the bird.
Step 7 – Add the Stuffing
Gently fill the bird with small amounts of polyester fiberfill.
Use a pencil, stuffing tool, or the blunt end of a crochet hook to carefully push the filling into the smaller areas.
Do not overfill the ornament.
The bird should have a soft, slightly padded appearance while still maintaining its original shape.
Once filled, sew the opening closed.
Step 8 – Add the Hanging Ribbon
Cut a piece of red ribbon approximately 15–20 cm (6–8 inches) long.
Fold it in half to create a loop.
Position the ends of the ribbon at the top of the bird.
Secure the ribbon firmly with several stitches.
This creates the hanger for your Christmas tree ornament.
Tip: Reinforce this area well because the ribbon will support the entire ornament when it hangs on the tree.
Step 9 – Make the Christmas Bow
For the bow variation, cut the bow pieces from green or red felt.
Fold or pinch the larger bow piece in the center.
Wrap the small rectangular center piece around it and secure it with stitches or glue.
Attach the finished bow to the top of the bird.
For an extra festive touch, wrap a small piece of gold or metallic thread around the center of the bow.
Step 10 – Make the Santa Hat
To create the Santa bird:
- Cut the Santa hat from red felt.
- Cut the hat band from cream or white felt.
- Sew the hat band along the bottom edge of the hat.
- Attach the hat to the top of the bird.
- Add a small white felt pom-pom to the tip.
- Secure everything with small stitches or fabric glue.
Position the hat slightly to one side for a cute, playful appearance.
Step 11 – Make the Christmas Scarf
For the scarf version, cut a long narrow piece of red felt.
Wrap it around the bird’s neck.
Secure it with a few hidden stitches.
To create fringe, make several small cuts at both ends of the scarf.
You can also embroider small details onto the scarf for additional texture.
Step 12 – Finish Your Christmas Bird
Check all the stitches and make sure every decorative element is securely attached.
Trim any loose threads.
Your handmade felt Christmas bird ornament is now ready to hang!
You can make an entire flock using different colors and accessories.
Christmas Bird Ornament Variations
One of the best things about this pattern is that you can easily create different birds using the same basic body shape.
Classic Red Christmas Bird
- Red body
- Green wing
- Cream belly
- Green bow
- Red hanging ribbon
Christmas Santa Bird
- Green body
- Red wing
- Cream belly
- Red Santa hat
- White pom-pom
Winter Pink Bird
- Pink body
- Green wing
- Cream belly
- Red scarf
- White embroidered snowflakes
Mix and match the colors to create your own Christmas collection.
Tips for Making Felt Christmas Ornaments
Use good-quality felt. Wool-blend or high-quality craft felt generally produces a nicer finish and is easier to stitch.
Keep your stitches even. Since the stitching is part of the decoration, consistent stitches will make the finished ornament look more polished.
Don’t overstuff. A small amount of stuffing is enough to give the bird dimension.
Personalize each bird. Change the colors, wings, hats, scarves, bows, and embroidered details to make every ornament unique.
Make them in batches. Once you have cut the pieces, you can sew several birds at the same time, making this a great project for Christmas decorating.
How to Use Your Handmade Christmas Birds
These felt birds aren’t limited to the Christmas tree. You can also use them as:
- Christmas gift toppers
- Garland decorations
- Wreath embellishments
- Stocking decorations
- Table decorations
- Holiday party favors
- Handmade Christmas gifts
- Advent calendar decorations
- Nursery or children’s room decorations during the holidays
