This project combines two of my favorite Christmastime practices: being overly sentimental and reducing waste and consumerism where possible. I had a favorite nightshirt. It was the one I wore the day Elliott was born, the one I brought him home in. Sadly, the dog chewed a hole straight through it. I couldn't part with it, so I tossed it in my craft box where I saw it sitting next to a mini embroidery hoop - and our salvaged ornaments were born!
There's no way to hold on to all the clothes we feel sentimental about from our kids baby days. Some of them are too worn to pass on or keep, but when you see them you smile because you can remember so clearly all the days they spent in it. It can be hard to let them go. That's why I love the idea of just a small piece of those memories being preserved on our tree to be loved and remembered every Christmas.
This project is about as easy as it comes! All you need is your keepsake clothing, a 3" embroidery hoop, a wood circle backing and super or hot glue. I've put together a simple amazon shopping list for you here.
STEP ONE
Stretch your clothing onto the embroidery hoop. Slip the inner circle behind your fabric and press the larger circle over the top so it is snug. Tighten the screw firmly and pull excess fabric from the back to make sure it is taught. When you're happy with how it looks, trim away the excess fabric.
STEP TWO
Fold your excess fabric over on itself a few times and cut the stack into a circle that will fit inside your hoop. You may need to do this several times to get a stack that fills the hoop and gives the front of your ornament a gently domed look when the stack is held flush with the hoop.
STEP THREE
Glue your wood backing on to the back of your hoop using either hot glue or super glue. You can inscribe the back with names and dates, so they will never be forgotten. attach a string to the top screw and your ornament is ready for the tree!
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