How to make a star ornament

1. Materials & tools

Materials (For the tree topper (16 cm))

• Main fabric (felt, glitter fabric or cotton) — about 20 × 40 cm
• Polyester fiberfill stuffing — a little
• Ribbon or thin cord (for the hanging loop) — about 15 cm
• Sewing thread

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Home” → “Star ornament” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the size (tip to tip), number of points and inner depth. Presets for mini (branch ornament), tree topper and cushion.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Choose the shape
   A smaller inner size gives sharper, thinner points. For a first star, 5 points at about 45% is the easiest to sew.
2. Cut
   Cut two stars (front and back) and one hanging loop. You can use ribbon for the loop.

4. Sewing

4-1. Sew with the loop inside

1. Fold the loop strip in four and sew it, then fold it in half and place it at the top point with the loop facing inward.
2. Place the two stars right sides together and sew all around, leaving an opening on one edge. Take one stitch across each tip so the points turn out more easily.

4-2. Turn and stuff

1. Trim the seam allowance at each tip diagonally and clip into the inner corners.
2. Turn it out and push the points out with an awl. Stuff a little at a time, starting with the tips.
3. Close the opening with a ladder stitch.

✏️ In felt, you can layer the two stars wrong sides together, edgestitch, and stuff as you go — no turning needed, so it suits tiny stars too.

5. Tips & variations

• Make a tree topper: instead of a loop, sew a small fabric tube behind the bottom points so it slips onto the top of the tree.
• Mix colors: lots of gold, silver and red felt stars scattered over the branches look festive.
• String a garland: join several minis on a cord for a star garland.