Christmas Baubles - Orange Technique

If you're looking for a unique and creative way to craft Christmas decorations, Christmas baubles made with the orange technique are a perfect choice! This method allows you to repurpose fabric scraps, and the possibilities for combining colors and patterns are endless. Here's a simple guide on how to create these beautiful and personalized Christmas baubles yourself.

Materials and Tools

Fabrics:

Stretchy and lightweight fabrics are recommended, such as jersey, lycra, or lace. When using stiff fabrics, be extra careful and precise as there is less room for error.

Base:

Polystyrene ball – available in various sizes.

Tools:

Craft knife
Scissors
Marking tool (for drawing lines)
Pins
Glue (regular craft glue or hot glue)

Decorations:

Beads, ribbons, chains, sequins, or other decorative elements to suit your taste.

1. Preparation

Draw incision lines on the polystyrene ball. You can divide the ball into four to six orange segments or create more intricate patterns according to your imagination.

2. Making Incisions

Use the sharp end of the craft knife to make gentle cuts along the drawn lines. Be careful not to cut too deeply into the ball.

3. Cutting and Attaching the Fabric Pieces

Cut the fabric into pieces that match the size of the incised sections.

Place the cut fabric piece onto the ball and use the blunt edge of the knife to press the edges into the incisions. If you'd like to add unique texture to the bauble, leave the fabric edges slightly longer to create a ruffled or layered effect.

4. Finishing Touches

Once all the incisions are covered with fabric, carefully trim any excess fabric with scissors—unless you’ve planned to leave ruffles as a decorative element. Be cautious not to damage the already placed fabric. If you don’t plan to add decorations, tuck the fabric edges securely into the incisions for a clean and polished result.

5. Adding Decorations

If you want to hide the "seams," use decorative ribbons, beads, chains, or other embellishments. To attach decorations, use craft glue or hot glue. While drying, you can use pins to hold the decorations in place, but make sure they don’t touch the glue directly, as they may be difficult to remove later.

Here are some more examples

Additional Tips

Experiment with different fabrics and patterns to achieve a unique result. For example, shiny and textured fabrics (like lace or satin) give the baubles a luxurious look. Don’t hesitate to play with colors and contrasts—vivid fabrics combined with more subdued decorations create a harmonious yet eye-catching result. Add detailed decorations to the baubles to match your Christmas décor perfectly.

Happy crafting and joyful holidays! 

Author: Age Sula