Easy Finish for Needlepoint Ornaments

Updated June 11, 2023.
Looking for a fast way to finish an ornament?

I love quilts that are finished as diamonds. But diamonds can be a pain to do in needlepoint. Mostly they are harder to finish.

But, if you are making an ornament to hang, they are much easier to hang because there are clear points for placing the hanger.

I was intrigued by a diamond ornament that attached the needlepoint to a piece of Ultrasuede cut slightly larger than the needlepoint. The suede created a charming border.

I completed mine using glue and fun foam. You can make yours higher quality by using Ultrasuede and sewing the needlepoint to the back.

You’ll need:

• stitched square or diaqmond needlepoint
• thread for hanger
• glue
• fun foam in color to match ornament

Buy all these supplies at a local crafts store.

You can also spiff up the ornament by using a pretty length of chain, a braid made of thread, or a twisted cord. For the hanger if you have a pair of scissors that makes a decorative edge use them to cut out the backing.

Begin by cutting out the ornament with about a five-thread margin of unworked canvas. Fold these edges to the back of the canvas. Run a line of glue along the stitched back of the needlepoint on one edge and press down the canvas for a minute or two until it bonds. Repeat this process with each edge. If any edges aren’t sticking perfectly, weigh them down for a bit with the glue bottle. Let the whole thing rest for a couple of hours.

Take a length of ribbon about 6” or so, put the ends together, and tie a knot in it to make a loop. Cut off the ends of the tie.

Place a dot of glue about 1/2” from a corner of the foam and put the ribbon on it.

Place glue along the edges and in a cross through the center of the needlepoint on the back. Press it onto the foam about 1/4” from the corner, making sure it is even placed along the two edges of the foam.

Weigh it down and let dry for 2 hours. Once dry cut out the foam so that the margin of foam is even all around.

Your ornament is done.

It’s not a heirloom, but you can stitch it and finish it the same day.

You can find the instructions to stitch this ornament and lots more quilt-based small projects in my book, Quilty Needlepoint , available here.