DIY Embroidered Photo Ornaments

Create a sweet handmade embroidered photo ornament! Learn how to transfer a photo to fabric and grab the free embroidery patterns. 

Good morning! I hope everyone has been having a good week! The days are really flying as we approach Christmas! I’m ending this week with the eighth project, in the “12 Days of a Handmade Holiday”, and one of my favorites – Embroidery Hoop Photo Ornaments! I love the way these turned out and had a lot of fun embroidering. I like to be doing something while watching TV and this was a great couch project! I used my sewing tray, if you remember that project from a little while ago, and it worked out perfectly! It was fun coming up with the patterns and trying some new stitches.

I love Mod Podge Photo Transfer! I used it earlier this month on my Christmas banner. I have also made wood coaster ornaments using it and loved the way they turned out. I had never tried it on fabric until doing this project. I am pretty pleased with how it worked and love how the photos look next to the embroidery. They have a nice classic feel while still looking fresh. Below is the tutorial and the free printable embroidery patterns! I’ll be back next week to finish up the “12 Days of a Handmade Holiday”!

Supplies Needed for DIY Embroidery Hoop Photo Ornaments

• Free embroidery patterns – Grab the free file by filling out the purple form at the end of this post.
• Embroidery hoop
• Fabric
• Embroidery floss in various colors
• Mod Podge CS15067 8-Ounce Photo Transfer, Medium
• Photo printed from laser jet printer. I had my pictures printed through Office Max.
• White paper
• Ribbon
• Sewing notions: scissors, needles
• Optional: Circle cutter (I have this one: Fiskars 93807097 Circle Cutter with 2 Replacement Blades)

STEP 1: Photo transfer your image to fabric. After printing your photo from a laser jet printer, cut your photo into a circle that will fit the size embroidery hoop you are using. You can use scissors or a circle cutter if you have one. 

Once your image is cut to size, spread a layer of Mod Podge Photo Transfer on the top of your image. Press it firmly down onto the fabric. Let the image sit for 24-48 hours (I let mine sit for 48 hours) and then gently remove the paper using a damp cloth.

At first I was really worried about how grainy my image appeared. I did the whole process twice to see if I could get a smoother look to my images. I’m not sure my white fabric was the best choice. It is a bit textured and I think when I rubbed the paper away, the texture caused the image to rub away too. I’m not sure, but I think if I try this again, I will test out a smoother cotton!

STEP 2: Using a pencil, trace the embroidery pattern you want to use onto the fabric around the photo you just transferred. I used a lightbox, but a window in daylight would work just as well.

STEP 3: Embroider the ornament! This was my favorite part. It is so relaxing to embroider. I love the way the french knots look for all of the berries and snowflakes!

STEP 4: Finish the back of the ornament. I cut circles from white cardstock to fit inside the back of the hoops. This helped to keep the floss on the back of the ornament from showing through to the front. I trimmed the fabric to about 1″ around the hoop and then ran a short running stitch around the edge. I pulled it tight which cinched in the fabric.

STEP 5: Add a ribbon to the top so you can hang your ornament! I added little ribbon bows with some hot glue to the front. The ornament is finished!! They look really cute hanging on the tree and also as decorations throughout the house. This would also make a beautiful gift :) 

Get the Free Embroidery Hoop Ornament Patterns!

Fill out the purple form below with your first name and email address! The free file will be sent straight to your inbox! If you have already filled out the form below, don’t worry – you won’t be added to my list twice! This freebie is for personal use only. I hope you enjoy crafting something special. Please let me know if you have any questions :)