Make IN BED: Creative Christmas Ornaments

Photography & Process by Imogene Roache

If you've visited our Paddington flagship this December, you may have admired our twinkling window display; reams of handcrafted Christmas decorations adorning our Oxford Street outlook. In the season of giving, we’re delighted to share our step-by-step guide to creating these special ornaments - a creative way to repurpose pre-loved textiles, adding festive cheer to your home, and a personal touch to your Christmas wrapping. Make IN BED is a special initiative from our team, exploring creative ways to reuse textiles by offering open-source guides and complimentary kits to try at home. ⁠

Materials

Recycled textiles (linen or cotton)

Tin foil trays

Sharp scissors

Fabric stiffener

These handcrafted ornaments can be used as decorations for your tree, on gift wrapping, or strung high as garlands.

The Christmas window at our Paddington flagship store, complete with handmade decorations

Instructions

Start by clearing a clean and flat surface to work on. Select your fabrics, we worked with recycled linen off-cuts, you could use napkins or tablecloths that have been stained beyond repair or a well loved bedding or sleepwear set.

To make the fabric decorations -

Create a stencil from cardboard. These can be whatever shape you like - stars, angels, a snowman.
Spray your chosen fabric with fabric stiffener, this can be found at haberdashery or craft stores.
Lay stencil over the fabric and cut to your desired shape.
To use as tree decoration, pierce a small hole at the tip of the ornament. For gift wrapping, cut two slits in the centre to weave ribbon through.

To make the foil decorations -

Using a pencil, mark your desired ornament shape in the base of a tin foil tray (large BBQ trays work well).
Using scissors, cut around the shape.
To make a garland or gift adornments, pierce two small holes to weave twine or ribbon through.