Create a Felt Christmas Tree with Ornaments for Aussie Summers
Christmas in Australia arrives in summer, with cicadas buzzing in the gum trees and families firing up the barbie on December 25. That warm weather twist makes a soft felt Christmas tree a brilliant alternative to traditional pine, which drops needles on the carpet and struggles in a hot loungeroom. Felt holds its shape beautifully, travels well in a suitcase to the coast, and offers a safe surface for tiny hands to decorate again and again.
The beauty of a DIY felt tree is that it costs a fraction of a store-bought decoration and uses materials from Spotlight, Lincraft, or the craft aisle at Big W. You don't need a sewing machine for most versions, and the project scales from a small tabletop design to a full wall hanging that the family builds together on a lazy Sunday arvo.
This tutorial walks you through cutting the base shape, stitching tiny ornaments, and hanging the finished tree in the breezeway or above the couch. Makers often find this project opens the door to other quick handmade gifts, like a colourful paracord bracelet that takes an evening to whip up and looks lovely tucked into a stocking.
Whether you live in a fibro in Brisbane, a terrace in Sydney, or a cottage in Tassie, the result captures the festive spirit without the mess of real pine.
Choosing the right felt and tools
A successful felt Christmas tree starts with the right fabric. Wool-blend felt is more durable than acrylic, though craft felt from chain stores works perfectly for ornaments. For the tree base, choose stiffened felt or back standard felt with medium-weight interfacing to give it body when hung.
You'll need sharp fabric scissors, chalk or a washable fabric marker, and a hot glue gun for ornaments or a needle with strong polyester thread for seams. Hand-stitching with a running stitch works as well as a machine and adds a homespun look.
The comparison below helps you pick what suits your budget and time.
| Material | Cost per metre (AUD) | Durability | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wool blend felt | $18–$25 | High | Heirloom tree bases |
| Acrylic craft felt | $3–$6 | Medium | Ornaments and decorations |
| Stiffened craft felt | $7–$12 | High | Tree shapes that hold form |
| Felted wool sheets | $22–$30 | Very high | Long-lasting bases |
Cutting the tree shape
Draw a simple Christmas tree silhouette on paper, roughly 60 centimetres tall for a wall hanging. A classic shape with three tiers and a small trunk works well. Cut out the paper pattern, pin it to your felt, trace around it, then cut.
Choose between a single layer you decorate directly, or two layers stitched together with stuffing for a padded effect. The padded version looks substantial, though it uses more materials. Single-layer with a contrasting backing looks crisp and finishes in an afternoon.
Pin pieces together carefully before sewing, and leave a small gap along the bottom if you're stuffing. Backstitch at the start and end of every seam to prevent fraying, especially with wool blend felt.
Making ornaments and decorations
Ornaments bring the tree to life and let you personalise your project. Cut simple shapes from colourful felt: stars, baubles, hearts, angels, and gum leaves that nod to the Australian bush. Small embroidery scissors help with detailed pieces.
Embellishments lift flat shapes to textured decorations. Try sewing on tiny beads, stitching motifs with contrasting thread, or adding glitter for sparkle that catches the afternoon sun. Buttons work brilliantly as ornament centres or as tiny baubles.
Shapes that work beautifully together:
- Stars in gold, silver, and white
- Round baubles in red, green, and blue
- Hearts in pink and soft pastels
- Gumnuts and leaves in muted greens and browns
- Mini angels in cream and white
Hot glue attaches embellishments quickly, but a few stitches hold up better over years of handling. Spend a relaxed weekend making ornaments, listening to a Christmas playlist and sipping a cold drink in the heat.
Assembling and hanging the tree
Once ornaments are ready, arrange them on the tree before attaching to get the right balance. Step back and squint at your design to see which areas need more visual weight. Larger ornaments work well near the bottom, with smaller shapes filling gaps across the surface.
Stitch each ornament securely, or use fabric glue for a no-sew version children can help with. To make ornaments removable for kids, sew small buttons or Velcro dots to the tree and matching pieces on the back of each decoration. This turns the tree into an interactive play feature, perfect for little ones who want to decorate and redecorate all December.
Hanging is straightforward. Stitch a loop of ribbon to the top corners, or attach a slim dowel across the back for a structured display. Many Australian makers hang their trees on a feature wall, in a hallway, or on the back of a door in a granny flat. Lightweight felt needs only picture nails or 3M Command strips.
Care and storage between seasons
Looking after your felt Christmas tree means it lasts for many Decembers. When the festive season winds down in late January, gently brush off dust with a soft clothes brush and store the tree flat in a plastic tub or between layers of tissue paper. Avoid folding, as creases become permanent in felt, especially in warmer climates where the fabric softens.
Ornaments need their own storage solution. A divided container or an old chocolate box lined with tissue keeps decorations safe and sorted. Some makers sew a fabric roll with pockets for each ornament, easy to store and fun to unfurl each year.
Simple care habits keep your tree looking its best:
- Brush gently with a lint roller or clothes brush
- Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap
- Store flat in a cool, dry spot away from sunlight
- Mend loose threads each January before packing away
Keep your felt tree out of direct sunlight during the off-season to prevent fading, and store away from moths if you've used wool blend felt.
Variations and gift ideas
Once you've made one tree, you'll likely want more for friends and family. A smaller tabletop version makes a thoughtful handmade gift, especially for someone in a small apartment or retirement village. Stitch a personalised name or the year into the trunk for a keepsake touch.
Different colour schemes suit different homes. Coastal-themed trees in soft blues, sandy beiges, and white feel right for a beach house in Byron or a balcony overlooking the ocean. Bush-inspired trees in earthy greens, terracotta, and rust tones reflect the Australian landscape and pair beautifully with homemade shortbread. Pastel rainbow designs work beautifully in children's rooms, while monochrome white and natural felt suits Scandinavian-style interiors.
For a group project, gather friends for a Christmas craft arvo with cheese platters, cold drinks, and felt scraps. Everyone leaves with their own ornament kit and the satisfaction of making something together, a more relaxed pace than the typical pre-Christmas shopping scramble.
Ready to make your own? Gather materials this weekend and start cutting. The joy of a handmade felt Christmas tree lies in the hours spent creating it as much as the finished piece hanging on your wall. Share your creations with the community, gift one to a neighbour who could use festive cheer, and enjoy a slower, craftier approach to celebrating an Aussie summer Christmas.