How to Make a Kimekomi Ornament
Learn how to create tucked fabric Christmas ornaments using a method called “kimekomi”. These beautiful ornaments are great for using up some Christmas fabric scraps!
Hello, friends! It’s time for another ornament DIY! I have had this ornament in the works for some time, and I am so excited to share it with you finally!
These gorgeous ornaments are easy to make and what’s so special about them is that this specific technique comes from a traditional Japanese doll-making technique called “kimekomi.”
I first became aware of kimekomi ornaments when I was given this ornament my mom made back in the 1970’s. I have always loved this ornament and wondered how she made it, so I started doing a little research and found this is a technique that goes back almost 300 years!
What is Kimekomi?
It is said that the origin of kimekomi dolls began with “Tadashige Takahashi, who worked at Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto between 1736 and 1741 and made dolls from pieces of wood leftover from making tools used in ceremonies and dressing them in leftover pieces of kimono fabric.”
A doll form was carved in wood, and then thin grooves would be carved into the wood, where the cloth would then be inserted to create clothing for the doll. These dolls range from simple to very intricate and have become a fixture in Japanese culture
These ornaments are a simplified, modern spin on traditional kimekomi. We will be using foam instead of wood, but the technique of tucking the fabric into the grooves but the technique of tucking the fabric into grooves to create a design remains the same. Let’s get started!
Supplies
To make one ornament, you will need:
A foam ball. (I used 3” foam balls. For this beginner, no math method, look for foam balls that have an “equator line” around the middle, and preferable, also have a “north and south pole” spot on each side of the ball. These markings are made in manufacturing the foam balls and are very helpful.)
Fabric scraps. Your scrap pieces will need to be at least ½” wider and longer than each “orange slice” section. For this ornament, we will use eight different scraps of fabric.
⅜” Ribbon
Straight pins
A pearl head pin
Tacky glue or basting glue (optional)
Exacto knife
Marker
Small flat head screwdriver or another tool for tucking the fabric
Step 1:
Use your marker to draw a line around the “equator line” on the foam ball. This line is a product of the manufacturing process, and is a helpful starting point for our project.
Step 2:
Now find the “north and south pole” markings. Use the marker to draw a line from the north pole to the south pole, and back up around the ball. You will end up with four sections like this.
Step 3:
Draw a line through the center of each section, creating a total of eight sections.
Step 4:
Use your exact knife to cut along all of the lines. These are the grooves we will be tucking the fabric into.
Step 5:
Adding glue is optional. If you are adding glue, place a thin bead of glue over half of one section.
Step 6:
Using a small screwdriver (I use one that came with my sewing machine) or another tool, begin tucking a piece of fabric into the grooves. Tuck a bit on one side, then on the other side, carefully working your way up to the tip of the orange slice. (Remember, we are just doing half of the slice right now.)
Step 7:
Trim the fabric as close to the foam ball as possible.
Step 8:
Repeat Steps 5-7 on the other half: add a thin bead of glue,
…tuck the fabric, and trim.
Step 9:
Go back and tuck in any extra bits of fabric or stray threads.
Step 10:
Start on the section next to the one you just finished. Repeat Steps 5-9. Glue. Tuck. Trim. Glue. Glue. Tuck. Trim.
Then do a final tuck, concealing extra fabric and stray threads.
Continue these same steps until all of the sections are finished.
Finishing Touches
To add the ribbons, first take a length of ribbon and wrap it around the foam ball. I like to add a dab of glue at the north and south poles before wrapping the ribbon.
Use the decorative pearl head pin to hold the ribbon in place at the bottom of the ornament. Use a simple straight pin to hold the ends of the ribbon in place at the top of the ornament.
Cut a 7” length of ribbon to form the loop and pin it in place at the top of the ornament. Add another dap of glue over the pin. Then make a small bow and pin it in place directly over the dab of glue.
I love to see what you are making. Share your Kimekomi style ornaments with me on Instagram by tagging me @bayhillstudio and be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more creative content and project inspiration. Have a blessed day!