DIY Plastic Canvas Gift Box Christmas Ornament

Create a charming gift box ornament using plastic canvas!

This pretty 3D gift box ornament is a quick, rewarding project that will add a touch of cheer to your holiday decor.  Whether you hang it on the tree or share it as a thoughtful, handmade gift, this ornament is sure to brighten anyone's holiday season.

Using this simple pattern, you can easily turn scrap plastic canvas and leftover yarn into a beautiful decoration. This budget-friendly project uses supplies you likely have on hand, so it's both economical and eco-friendly — a wonderful way to repurpose materials.

For even more festive plastic canvas decorations, visit our Free Christmas Plastic Canvas Pattern page, where you'll find a variety of holiday-themed projects. 

But that's not all!  We offer lots of free Christmas patterns and projects for all types of crafters - including knitters, crocheters,  sewist and quilting.  And don't worry, we didn't forget the little ones!  Our holiday collections include fun, easy Christmas crafts for kids, so the whole family can get in on the holiday crafting fun.

No matter your skill level, our Gift Box Christmas Ornament easy-to-follow photo tutorial will guide you through the entire process, ensuring success for beginners and seasoned crafters alike.  Plus, for visual learners, we offer a full video demonstration on our YouTube channel which you can access by clicking the link below. 

Follow along to create your own charming plastic canvas Christmas ornament.

HOW TO MAKE A PLASTIC CANVAS GIFT BOX ORNAMENT

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• 7-Mesh Plastic Canvas (Purchase Amazon or Joann)
• Acrylic Yarn - Worsted Weight (#4)
• Tapestry Needle or Yarn Needle (Purchase Amazon or Joann)
• Scissors (Amazon or Joann)

Skill Level: Beginners

Finish Ornament Size: 2" x 2"

instruction for gift box Christmas ornament :

STEP 1: Choose your ornament colors

Select yarn colors to represent both the box and the ribbon.  Any color combination can work beautifully.

STEP 2: cut plastic canvas

This project works well for using up scrap plastic canvas.  You will need to cut 6 squares from 7 mesh plastic canvas – 12 holes x 12 holes.

STEP 3: STITCHING GIFT BOX SIDES

Stitch with Ribbon Area

Thread the tapestry needle with the ribbon color.  Take the first plastic canvas square, from the top right corner, count over 6 holes and down 1 hole. Bring the needle up from the back of the canvas through this hole. 

Create a continental stitch (also known as a tent stitch) by moving the needle up diagonally to the right over one mesh intersection, forming  a slanted stitch. 

For the next stitch, bring the needle to the front one hole below where you started the previous stitch. Make another diagonal stitch by moving up and to the right again.  Repeat this pattern to the end of the row.

When you complete the first row, turn the canvas completely around and start a second vertical row next to the first.

Continue stitching until the second line of continental stitches is completed.

 

Add one more vertical row to complete the ribbon section on this first piece.

Fill in Box Color

Then thread the needle with the box color yarn.  Stitch horizontally or vertically using the continental stitch to fill in the unworked area.Fill in the entire unstitched area.

Repeat this step to complete four side pieces.

STEP 4:  Stitching the Top and Bottom of the Box

For the top and bottom of the ornament, create a plus sign with the ribbon color.

You will stitch three vertical rows, then complete the plus sign with three horizontal rows in the center.

Complete the remaining area with the box color using the continental stitch.

STEP 5: CREATE the LOOPY YARN BOW FOR BOX TOP

Cut a piece of yarn about 6 inches long. 

Hold the yarn between the forefinger and middle finger of your non-dominant hand. 

Wrap yarn around these two fingers five times. 

Pull the cut ends of the yarn up and around the loops on your fingers, then remove the loops from your fingers.  

Tie a few knots with the yarn to make the loopy yarn bow. 

Place one tail of the yarn of the loopy bow into the needle eye and insert it into a middle hole of one of the pieces created in step 4. Pull the yarn to the back. 

Now, place the other tail into a needle eye and insert it into a plastic mesh hole next to the first one.  Do not put through the same hole. Pull the yarn to the back.

Tie a knot with the yarn tails to secure the bow to the top and snip the ends.

PICTURE OF THE FINISHED GIFT BOX PIECES

In this image, you can see four side pieces, one bottom piece and one top piece, all stitched and ready to assemble.

STEP 6: ASSEMBLING THE  ORNAMENT

To join the pieces of plastic canvas together to make the ornament, you will use a whipstitch.

Join the Sides

Place two side pieces wrong sides together and line up the holes.  Thread your needle with yarn that matches the stitched area.  Whipstitch along the edge by passing the needle through one layer of canvas plastic only; pull the yarn through until you have a tail of about one inch. Holding the two pieces together whipstitch by passing the needle through both holes andcontinue along the side joining the pieces together. Weave in the end of the yarn on the wrong side of the canvas.

Repeat to attach all the side pieces together.

Attach Top

To attach the top, you will begin by whipstitching the ribbon sections first.  Thread your needle with yarn that matches the ribbon color. Turn the box top wrong side up and weave the yarn under a few stitches.

To ensure that the yarn doesn't pull out when you begin to stitch, fasten it by inserting the needle under one stitch on the back and pull the yarn all the way though.

Then begin whipstitching the ribbon sections of the box top to the sides first.

After stitching the first section, don't weave or cut the yarn.  Simply move the yarn to the next ribbon section. When you stitch the last section, then and only then weave the yarn under a few stitches and cut the yarn.

Above is a picture of all ribbon sections completed.

Now, switch to the other color yarn to complete stitching around the edges with the whipstitch.

Attach Bottom

Use the same technique to join the gift box bottom.

STEP 7: ADD A HANGER

To make a hanger, thread a piece of yarn through a top corner of the ornament.  Form a loop by bringing the two ends of the yarn together and tying a basic overhand knot.

Your festive gift box ornament is ready to hang!

These miniature gift box ornaments are suitable for your Christmas tree, mantle display or as a holiday accent anywhere in your home.

Are you planning on making Christmas ornaments this year?  Do you like this gift box ornament?  I hope you do and have a blast making it. 

patterns for free plastic canvas ornaments

• Wreath Christmas Ornament
• Christmas Basket Ornament
• Snowflake Christmas Ornament
• Christmas Napkin Rings