How to Get Started Making Quilted Ornaments on The Ornament Girl

Updated

Start with the free Basic Star Ornament Workshop on theornamentgirl.com. It is the site's own recommended first step for beginners, and it pairs with a free pattern so you can complete a no-sew ornament before buying anything. From there, you can move to published quilted ornament patterns, complete kits, or the Kit of the Month Club. All of the site's ornament patterns are no-sew and written step-by-step.

The recommended beginner path

The Ornament Girl lays out a clear order for newcomers:

  1. Take the FREE Basic Star Ornament Workshop — the site explicitly recommends this if you are "brand new."
  2. Get a Free Pattern — listed alongside the workshop as an entry point.
  3. Try the published Quilted Ornament Patterns — described as "foolproof & totally step-by-step," with reviews available on the site.
  4. Consider Complete Ornament Kits or Ornament Supplies if you would rather not source materials yourself.
  5. Join the Club — the Kit of the Month Club, where you make a new ornament every month.

What you actually need to begin

Because the patterns are no-sew, you are not starting with a sewing machine. The workshop format suggests you begin with a single ornament rather than a full set, which keeps the first project small.

For materials, you have two routes:

Route What it means Best if
Buy a Complete Ornament Kit Fabric and components are bundled for a specific ornament You want zero guesswork on your first try
Buy Ornament Supplies separately You source your own fabric and materials You already craft and want to choose your own fabrics

The site also points to Ornament Supplies as its own category, so you can restock between projects instead of buying a full kit each time.

Why the instructions are the main draw

The testimonials on the site repeatedly praise the written directions rather than just the finished ornaments. One reviewer, April, a retired English teacher who has followed quilted, embroidery, and garment sewing directions, said the Ornament Girl directions and illustrations were "at the top." Another, Robin, noted the tutorial included "so many little ways to save pins and material."

That matters for a beginner because no-sew ornament construction depends on pin placement and fabric folding order — small technique details, not expensive tools. If you have struggled with vague craft instructions before, this is the specific thing to expect here.

A realistic first-project sequence

  1. Open the free Basic Star Ornament Workshop and work through it end to end.
  2. Download the free pattern and make one ornament with materials you already have or a small supply order.
  3. Compare your result against the site's pattern reviews to judge whether the style suits you.
  4. Decide between buying individual patterns, a complete kit, or joining the Kit of the Month Club based on how often you want to make ornaments.

Common sticking points for beginners

  • Skipping the workshop. The site's own recommendation is to start there, not with a paid pattern. Jumping ahead usually means missing the folding and pinning basics.
  • Buying a kit before knowing the style. Kits are tied to specific ornament designs, so browse the pattern gallery first if you are unsure what you want to make.
  • Assuming you need sewing skills. These are no-sew patterns; the skill is in fabric handling and pinning, not machine work.

If you have questions at any point, the site directs you to contact the owner directly.