Make-Your-Own Decorations
You know we love nothing more than handmade creations, and Christmas is no exception! For us, part of the magic of the season is all the extra excuses for crafting. In previous years, we’ve shared plenty of craft guides, but this year we’re taking it up a notch—we’re thrilled to introduce our brand-new Make-Your-Own Decorations Shop!
Paint-Your-Own Wooden Decorations
Our signature designs ready to be decorated by you
Unleash your creativity with our Paint-Your-Own decorations! Each set includes everything you need to paint six wooden decorations inspired by our embroidery ranges. If you've stitched the kit, commemorate it on your tree!
We've selected characters from our signature designs and crafted them in plywood, ready for your artistic flair. Decorating these shapes is a joy, using paints and pens to easily create something that looks professional. Don't worry if you're not confident with a brush!
You can purchase the full set, beautifully packaged in a gift box—ideal as a gift or treat for yourself. Or, if you have your own paints and ribbon, opt for just the wooden cutouts. It's the perfect way to add a personal touch to your decorations this season!
Not got a Steady Hand? Let Pens Do the Trick
Watch How We Make Decorating Easy with Paint and Posca Pens
A couple of years ago, I made a video showing just how easy it is to decorate wooden decorations when you combine paint and pen. I know that creating detailed motifs with paint can be tricky if you don't have the steadiest of hands, so there's no need to worry about relying solely on your painting skills.
In the video, I demonstrate how you can use Posca pens to add intricate designs effortlessly. That's why we've included a pair of these pens in every set—to make decorating straightforward and enjoyable!
Stop stockpiling tomato pureé- Our foils make crafting easier
Embossing metal perfect for decorations and garlands
Every year around this time, it seems the whole world embarks on a tomato purée buying spree—all in the noble quest to amass empty tins for making decorations. But if you're anything like me, there's only so much tomato purée one can consume (or freeze), unless you're planning to open an Italian restaurant. So, to save us all from drowning in red sauce, we're stocking three different kinds of foil that are perfect for making decorations.
This is one of the simplest Christmas crafts you can do—you simply cut shapes out of the foil using normal scissors, then emboss a design with an old pen or even a slightly blunt nail (we've all got one of those lying around). Couldn't be easier! There's a video below to show you how it's done.
And because I'm wonderfully indecisive and couldn't possibly choose just one, we've decided to stock all three colours of metal. After all, why pick favourites when you can have them all?
How to emboss metal christmas decorations
Paper crafting for the ultimate nostalgic decorations
I love papercrafts for Christmas decorations. There's something about the tradition and simplicity of paper chains that will never grow old. In fact, I've been using the same paper chains for years (top tip: staple them together rather than glue if you want them to last year after year). If you know us well, you'll also know we have a penchant for making patterned papers—it's got an immediacy to it as a craft that embroidery doesn't. So, after years of making and storing patterned papers created through all sorts of different methods, I thought we should turn them into something useful.
Our origami papers each measure 12cm by 24cm and are double-sided. They're perfectly designed to be cut into strips for paper chains, or each piece can be cut into squares to make a whole host of origami decorations. Don't worry, we haven't left you high and dry on what to do with the paper—scroll down for a hundred and one origami decoration video guides.
Simple Christmas Paper Crafts
Make Your Own Baubles, Chains, Rosettes, and Stars with These Easy Guides
Christmas is the perfect time to get stuck into some fun, easy paper crafts - they bring a handmade, nostalgic touch to your festive decorations. I’ve put together a few simple guides showing how to make some of my favourite decorations.
There are a couple of different ways to make paper baubles, which look lovely on the tree or as decorations for presents. Paper chains are another classic – quick and easy to make - and whilst a guide seems unnecessary, you never know, my method might be useful! Then there are paper rosettes and stars, which to be honest I have just had hung up all year round.
So, along with the stars above, here are links to a few more ideas:
- Paper baubles (the easy way)
- Paper baubles (the hard way)
These guides all work perfectly with our sizes of paper, so get yourself a pack enjoy a bit of crafting.
How To Make Your Own Patterned Paper
Make your own paper to make your creations completely unique
I am a dabbler in all sorts of crafts. Whilst embroidery and needlepoint are the main medium I work in and the basis for The Fabled Thread, its fun to play with other slightly faster or less controllable processes. That's where patterned paper making comes in. Whilst I have got papers printed for you to be able to use, it wouldn't be us if we didn't suggest to try making the papers yourself. With methods from mono-printing, to wax resist, to paste paper. I have many articles rhapsodising over my love of paper craft. So if you would rather make your own paper, head to this article to read all.
The Utterly Random and Completely Spectacular Christmas List
Everything else that's on my wishlist!
Creating this gift list was an absolute joy—my first time, actually, since I know everyone’s tastes (and budgets) vary wildly, and let’s be honest, mine lean a bit... "niche." But after meeting so many passionate business owners this year, I couldn't resist. Naturally, something from The Fabled Thread tops your Christmas list (obviously!), but here are numbers 2 through 55. It was meant to be 50, but a few gems snuck in. There’s no particular order—just a delightful mix of brilliant finds. Dive into the chaos and enjoy!